With just 25 days until the 2018 season, MSU softball took the field for its first practice of the spring.
Softball Reports for First Practice of 2018 Season
January 15, 2018 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – After a fall season that showcased excitement, offensive power and tremendous promise for the upcoming season, the Mississippi State softball program returned for its first team practice of the 2018 campaign Monday at Nusz Park.
Despite the winter weather threatening Starkville, MSU's 26-man roster was greeted with sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 50s as the Bulldogs took the field with just 25 days separating them from opening day at Nusz on Feb. 9. The past weekend's freezing temperatures left the playing field frozen, forcing the Bulldogs to adjust their practice schedule.
"We're always pretty good at hitting curveballs because it is an outdoor sport," seventh-year head coach Vann Stuedeman said. "We're used to rain delays and what not. One thing that is really awesome about our facility is that we're going to play because our field drains so well. Our kids are conditioned to be patience and wait. I thought they handled that really well. They were energetic. They were excited. We've got a lot to work on. Some of them picked up right where they left off. For some of them, it's been the holiday break. We'll keep grinding, but overall it was good to get back out there and dust off the cobwebs."
The Dawgs began practice with pitching sessions before splitting into hitting groups. MSU also tackled strength and conditioning exercises before spending the remainder of practice running through team drills in the outfield grass and the indoor facility.
MSU will continue with position group drills throughout the week before returning to the field on Friday for its second full team practice.
Stuedeman and the Bulldogs will be gunning for their sixth NCAA Regional berth over the last seven years when the 2018 season opens on Feb. 9 with the Bulldog Kickoff Classic. The run would be MSU's best stretch in program history, surpassing State's five tournament appearances over six seasons from 2000-05.
The Run Down
The 2018 Bulldog roster features 26 total players, including nine true freshmen. MSU added its 10th newcomer in sophomore pitcher/utility player Candace Denis, who joins the Bulldogs after spending the 2017 season at UMass. MSU returns 16 student-athletes for the upcoming season, including 11 upperclassmen.
Veterans Leading the Way
MSU returns six position starters from the 2017 roster after losing Katie Anne Bailey, Caroline Seitz, Amanda Ivy and Olivia Golden. The pitching staff sees four Dawgs retuning, including senior starters Cassady Knudsen and Holly Ward.
In the field, seniors Reggie Harrison and Calyn Adams return after starting at least 53 games each in 2017.
Meet the Newcomers
Ten total Bulldogs could make their MSU debut over the course of the 2018 season. Of the 10, nine are true freshmen. Composing the freshmen class is infielders Macey Petrey, Kinsey Goelz and O'Neil Roberson, outfielders Alex Wilcox, Brooke Cantillo and Grace Dabbs, pitcher/utility player Carter Spexarth, catcher/infielder Mia Davidson and pitcher Emily Williams. MSU's lone transfer this season is sophomore pitcher/utility player Candace Denis, who comes to Starkville via UMass.
Bulldog Alums Join Coaching Staff
MSU's coaching staff will feature familiar faces as four Bulldog greats return to Starkville. After winning the 2017 NPF Cowles Cup Championship with the Scrap Yard Dawgs, Kayla Winkfield returns for her second season as part of the MSU coaching staff and her first as a graduate assistant coach. Alexis Silkwood is also back in the Maroon and White as a student assistant coach for the 2018 season. Wrapping up her rookie season with the Akron Rackers, Silkwood joins Winkfield and assistant coach Samantha Ricketts as the third member of MSU's coaching staff with NFP experience.
Caroline Seitz and Amanda Ivy join Silkwood and round out the coaching staff as student assistant coaches for the upcoming season.
Looking Ahead
The 2018 season will kick off on Friday, Feb. 9 against Mississippi Valley State and Nebraska Omaha as the Bulldogs open the year hosting the Bulldog Kickoff Classic. First pitches are scheduled for 3 p.m. CT and 5:30 p.m. CT, respectively. MSU will host Missouri State on Saturday, Feb. 10 at noon. The weekend will conclude with a 1 vs. 4 seed and 2 vs. 3 seed matchups on Saturday to set up Sunday's consolation and championship contests.
Follow the Dawgs
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."
Despite the winter weather threatening Starkville, MSU's 26-man roster was greeted with sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 50s as the Bulldogs took the field with just 25 days separating them from opening day at Nusz on Feb. 9. The past weekend's freezing temperatures left the playing field frozen, forcing the Bulldogs to adjust their practice schedule.
"We're always pretty good at hitting curveballs because it is an outdoor sport," seventh-year head coach Vann Stuedeman said. "We're used to rain delays and what not. One thing that is really awesome about our facility is that we're going to play because our field drains so well. Our kids are conditioned to be patience and wait. I thought they handled that really well. They were energetic. They were excited. We've got a lot to work on. Some of them picked up right where they left off. For some of them, it's been the holiday break. We'll keep grinding, but overall it was good to get back out there and dust off the cobwebs."
The Dawgs began practice with pitching sessions before splitting into hitting groups. MSU also tackled strength and conditioning exercises before spending the remainder of practice running through team drills in the outfield grass and the indoor facility.
MSU will continue with position group drills throughout the week before returning to the field on Friday for its second full team practice.
Stuedeman and the Bulldogs will be gunning for their sixth NCAA Regional berth over the last seven years when the 2018 season opens on Feb. 9 with the Bulldog Kickoff Classic. The run would be MSU's best stretch in program history, surpassing State's five tournament appearances over six seasons from 2000-05.
The Run Down
The 2018 Bulldog roster features 26 total players, including nine true freshmen. MSU added its 10th newcomer in sophomore pitcher/utility player Candace Denis, who joins the Bulldogs after spending the 2017 season at UMass. MSU returns 16 student-athletes for the upcoming season, including 11 upperclassmen.
Veterans Leading the Way
MSU returns six position starters from the 2017 roster after losing Katie Anne Bailey, Caroline Seitz, Amanda Ivy and Olivia Golden. The pitching staff sees four Dawgs retuning, including senior starters Cassady Knudsen and Holly Ward.
In the field, seniors Reggie Harrison and Calyn Adams return after starting at least 53 games each in 2017.
Meet the Newcomers
Ten total Bulldogs could make their MSU debut over the course of the 2018 season. Of the 10, nine are true freshmen. Composing the freshmen class is infielders Macey Petrey, Kinsey Goelz and O'Neil Roberson, outfielders Alex Wilcox, Brooke Cantillo and Grace Dabbs, pitcher/utility player Carter Spexarth, catcher/infielder Mia Davidson and pitcher Emily Williams. MSU's lone transfer this season is sophomore pitcher/utility player Candace Denis, who comes to Starkville via UMass.
Bulldog Alums Join Coaching Staff
MSU's coaching staff will feature familiar faces as four Bulldog greats return to Starkville. After winning the 2017 NPF Cowles Cup Championship with the Scrap Yard Dawgs, Kayla Winkfield returns for her second season as part of the MSU coaching staff and her first as a graduate assistant coach. Alexis Silkwood is also back in the Maroon and White as a student assistant coach for the 2018 season. Wrapping up her rookie season with the Akron Rackers, Silkwood joins Winkfield and assistant coach Samantha Ricketts as the third member of MSU's coaching staff with NFP experience.
Caroline Seitz and Amanda Ivy join Silkwood and round out the coaching staff as student assistant coaches for the upcoming season.
Looking Ahead
The 2018 season will kick off on Friday, Feb. 9 against Mississippi Valley State and Nebraska Omaha as the Bulldogs open the year hosting the Bulldog Kickoff Classic. First pitches are scheduled for 3 p.m. CT and 5:30 p.m. CT, respectively. MSU will host Missouri State on Saturday, Feb. 10 at noon. The weekend will conclude with a 1 vs. 4 seed and 2 vs. 3 seed matchups on Saturday to set up Sunday's consolation and championship contests.
Follow the Dawgs
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."
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