Bulldogs Face Final Non-Conference Action At Southern Miss
May 25, 2016 | Softball
Mississippi State leads the all-time series with Southern Miss, 25-10. In Starkville, MSU leads 12-6 while in Hattiesburg, the State leads 11-2. The series is tied 2-2 when played on a neutral field. Last year, the teams split a home-and-home series. USM won the first game, 2-0, in Starkville, while State defeated USM, 8-0, in Hattiesburg. Earlier this year, MState defeated the Golden Eagles, 9-2, in Starkville. MSU has outscored the Golden Eagles, 150-84.
Freshman Chelsea Bramlett continues to make her mark in her short collegiate career. The Cordova, Tenn. native currently leads the conference in stolen bases with 42, which is also a new MSU single-season record. She also is tied for the lead in hits with 70, while placing second in runs (50) and hits (64) and ninth with a .395 batting average.
Kelli Miller leads the Bulldogs from the mound with a 14-9 record and a1.87 ERA. In 123.1 innings of work, the senior has struck out 64 batters. Kelsey Nurnberg is 7-3 with a 2.48 ERA and 42 strikeouts in90.1 innings of work. Sara Hickerson currently leads the SEC in saves with nine.
The Golden Eagles are coming off a weekend that saw them drop two of three from UAB. As a team, USM is hitting .239 with 56 doubles and 35 home runs. Southern Miss has also stolen 48 bases in 64 attempts. Offensively, the Golden Eagles are led by Megan Hill. The freshman is hitting .363 with 13 home runs, ten doubles, five triples and 40 RBI. She has also scored 37 runs. Brandi Alonzo is hitting .315 with eightdoubles, 21 RBI and 22 runs.
From the pitching circle, Southern Miss is led by a trio of pitchers. Shea Naramore leads the team with a 9-21 record and a 5.75 ERA. She also has 14 complete games, while striking out 55 batters. Samantha Davis is 6-9 with a 2.79 ERA with 47 strikeouts. Emily Howard has a3.54 ERA, but is just 1-1 in 14 appearances. Opponents are hitting .308 against Eagle pitching.
Following this week's action, the Bulldogs will head to Gainesville, Fla. for a key SEC match-up against Florida. The will open with a doubleheader, Friday night at 4 p.m. (CT), and close out the series on Saturday with a single game at 12 p.m. (CT).
