MState Returns To Conference Play With Three-Game Set Against South Carolina
May 25, 2016 | Softball
South Carolina leads the all-time series with Mississippi State, 21-12. In Starkville, USC leads 8-5, while in Columbia, the Gamecocks lead 7-4. South Carolina holds a 6-3 advantage when played on a neutral field. USC has outscored the Bulldogs, 121-97. Last year, MSU took two of three games from South Carolina, winning the first two games, 4-3 in ten innings and 2-1, before falling in the finale, 6-2.
Chelsea Bramlett looks to keep her strong start to her collegiate career going. The freshman leads MSU in hitting with a .400 batting average. She also leads the team in runs (36) and hits (50), and is second in the conference in stolen bases with 29 which sets a new MSU all-time freshman record.
Kelli Miller leads the Bulldogs from the mound with an 8-6 record and a1.33 ERA. In 78.2 innings of work, the senior has struck out 39 batters.Kelsey Nurnberg is 6-2 with a 2.53 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 58.0 innings of work.
South Carolina enters this weekend's series with a 25-10 overall record, and 3-5 in the SEC. The Gamecocks are coming off a midweekdoubleheader that saw them split with Winthrop. As a team, USCis batting .252 with 40 doubles and 14 home runs. The Gamecocks have also stolen 24 bases in only 29 attempts. Offensively, South Carolina is led by Ashton Payne. The sophomore is hitting .346 with three triples, nine stolen bases and 12 RBI. McKenna Hughes is hitting .298 with eight home runs, eight doubles, 17 runs and 23 RBI. From the pitching circle, the Gamecocks are led by a trio of pitchers. Kate Pouliot leads the team with a 13-3 record and a 0.85 ERA. She also has11 complete games, while striking out 100 batters in 98.2 innings. Melissa Hendon is 10-6 with a 1.20 ERA and 160 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting just .167 against USC pitching.
Following this weekend's action, the Bulldogs head to Birmingham, Ala. for a midweek game at Samford on Wednesday, April 4.
