Bulldog Softball Reports For First Practice Of 2017 Season

The Bulldogs took to the field Saturday afternoon for their first practice of the 2017 season.

Bulldog Softball Reports For First Practice Of 2017 Season

January 14, 2017 | Softball

2017 Roster Video: Stuedeman Recaps Day One

STARKVILLE, Miss. – After a fall season that showcased energy, heart and enormous promise for the upcoming season, the Mississippi State softball program returned to the diamond for its first practice of the 2017 campaign on Saturday at Nusz Park.

Sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures greeted the 24-man roster, as they took to the field with just 27 days separating them from opening day at Nusz on Feb. 10.

"The team came back ready to go and that's always fun for a coach on the first day to be able to pick up where we left off," sixth-year head coach Vann Stuedeman said. "There was a lot of energy and a lot of building from where we left off in the fall. It's a lot of fun to watch them out there enjoying each other and I thought we had a good first day."

The Dogs began the day in hitting groups and also tackling strength and conditioning exercises before spending the remainder of practice running through team drills.

MSU will have Sunday off before returning to the field on Monday for its second team practice.

Stuedeman and the Bulldogs will be gunning for their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last six years when the 2017 season begins on February 10 with the Bulldog Kickoff. That would equal the best stretch in school history, as State went to the NCAA Tournament five of six seasons from 2000-05.

Breaking Down The 2017 Bulldogs
The 2017 edition of Bulldog softball features 24 total players, with six newcomers. Also making her debut this season will be junior Reggie Harrison, who sat out last year due to NCAA transfer regulations after making the move from Arkansas. On the flip side, MSU returns 17 players for the upcoming campaign, including 11 upperclassmen.

Veterans Leading The Way
MSU returns six position starters from last season, losing just two in Kayla Winkfield and Loryn Nichols. On the pitching staff, four make their return, including senior star Alexis Silkwood and juniors Cassady Knudsen and Holly Ward.

In the field, seniors Katie Anne Bailey, Caroline Seitz and Amanda Ivy make their return after each starting at least 55 games in 2016.

Meeting The Newcomers
Seven total Bulldogs could make their MSU debut this season. Of the seven, five are freshmen and two are transfers. Composing the freshman class is catcher Lexi Malone, pitcher Emily Mitchell and utility players Montana Davidson, Maddie Dorsett and Lindsey Williams. Reggie Harrison and Bevia Robinson make up the pair of MSU transfers, with Harrison coming to Starkville via Arkansas and Robinson from Pensacola State University.

Winkfield Joins The Bulldog Coaching Staff
After completing one of the best careers by a Bulldog softball player last year, Kayla Winkfield is back in the Maroon and White for the 2017 season, this time as a coach. Winkfield, who is also entering her second year in the NPF and recently signed with the Scrap Yard Dawgs, will serve as a student assistant coach for the upcoming season. She joins graduate assistant coach Rachel Fox and assistant coach Samantha Ricketts as the third member of MSU's coaching staff who has NPF experience.

Fox is entering her second year with the Scrap Yard Dawgs, while Ricketts recently wrapped up her first year as an assistant coach with the USSSA Pride. Ricketts was also a star for the Akron Racers as a player after being drafted with the 12^th overall pick in the 2009 NPF Draft.

Looking Ahead …
The 2017 season will kick off on Friday, Feb. 10 against Georgia State and Stephen F. Austin, as State opens up the year with the Bulldog Kickoff. First pitches are set for 3 p.m. CT and 5:30 p.m. CT, respectively. The Dogs will then go on to host Western Kentucky on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 12:30 p.m. The weekend will conclude with a 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 matchup on Saturday to set up a Sunday consolation and championship contests.

Social Media
For more on Mississippi State softball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."