Bulldogs Look To Continue Strong SEC Play Against No. 6 LSU
May 25, 2016 | Softball
LSU leads the all-time series with Mississippi State, 33-5. In Starkville, LSU leads 15-4 while in Baton Rouge, the Tigers hold a 16-1 advantage. When played on a neutral field, LSU leads 2-0. Last year, LSU swept the series from State, 5-0, 4-0 and 7-1. LSU has outscored the Bulldogs, 196-79.
Freshman Chelsea Bramlett continues to make her mark in her short collegiate career. The Cordova, Tenn. native enters the game having won the last two SEC Freshman of the Week awards. She currently leads the conference in hits (63) and stolen bases with 40, which sets a new MSU all-time freshman record. She is also second in runs (45), fourth with a .423 batting average, and eighth in on-base percentage (.469).
Kelli Miller leads the Bulldogs from the mound with an 11-7 record and a 1.62 ERA. In 99.2 innings of work, the senior has struck out 50 batters. Kelsey Nurnberg is 7-2 with a 2.37 ERA and 35 strikeouts in76.2 innings of work.
LSU enters this weekend's series ranked sixth in both the ESPN.com/USA Softball and USA Today/NFCA polls. The Tigers defeated Southeast Louisiana on Wednesday after taking two of three from South Carolina. As a team, LSU is hitting .326 with 78 doubles and 37 home runs. The Tigers have also stolen 78 bases in 87 attempts. Offensively, LSU is led by Leslie Klein. The senior is hitting .417 with five home runs, 17 doubles, four triples and 44 RBI. She has also scored 34 runs. Killian Roessner is hitting .387 with five home runs, 12 doubles, 17 runs and 28 RBI.
From the pitching circle, LSU is led primarily by two pitchers. Dani Hofer leads the team with a 17-1 record and a 1.37 ERA. She also has 16 complete games, while striking out 184 batters. Emily Turner is 13-5 with a 1.25 ERA and 130 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting just .157 against Tiger pitching.
Following this weekend's action, the Bulldogs will host UAB on Tuesday, April 17 at 6 p.m. (CT) before traveling to Mississippi Valley State on April 18 (6 p.m. CT).
