Mississippi State matches its highest ranking since 2016 after jumping two spots in the USA Softball Collegiate Top 25.
Undefeated Weekend Lifts MSU Two Spots in ESPN.com/USA Poll
March 06, 2018 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – An undefeated weekend at the Bulldog Slamboree lifted Mississippi State softball (16-3) two spots to No. 23 in this week's ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll.
The ranking is the highest for the Bulldogs since Feb. 23, 2016 when Mississippi State also earned a No. 23 ranking in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25. The Bulldogs are also receiving votes in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25. MSU is also one of 11 teams in the Southeastern Conference to be ranked nationally.
Mississippi State continued its nonconference slate last weekend, hosting the Bulldog Slamboree at Nusz Park. Over the weekend, the Bulldog pitching staff tossed three complete games over four outings, highlighted by two shutout performances over Sam Houston State by seniors Holly Ward and Cassady Knudsen.
Entering the fifth week of the season, Mississippi State's pitching staff continues its dominance in the circle. The Bulldog's .072 earned run average is the fourth lowest in the country as three of the top four ERAs are held by SEC squads.
Knudsen has struck out at least 10 batters in four of her six starts this season as she continues to lead the country with a staggering 12.2 strikeouts per seven innings average.
Over the weekend, MSU was led by junior Emily Heimberger at the plate. The slap hitter went 5-for-10 for a .500 average and scored a team-high six runs. She also swiped a career-high two bases in three of State's five contests. Heimberger currently ranks eighth in the conference as she averages 0.47 stolen bases per game.
MSU returns to action tomorrow night, hosting Boston College at Nusz Park at 6 p.m. CT. The midweek game is third of the "No One Fights Alone" campaign as MSU will sport teal uniforms to bring awareness to ovarian cancer and freshman outfielder Alex Wilcox's battle with the disease.
For more information on the MSU softball program, follow "HailStateSB" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also find all-access coverage of the Bulldogs on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
The ranking is the highest for the Bulldogs since Feb. 23, 2016 when Mississippi State also earned a No. 23 ranking in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25. The Bulldogs are also receiving votes in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25. MSU is also one of 11 teams in the Southeastern Conference to be ranked nationally.
Mississippi State continued its nonconference slate last weekend, hosting the Bulldog Slamboree at Nusz Park. Over the weekend, the Bulldog pitching staff tossed three complete games over four outings, highlighted by two shutout performances over Sam Houston State by seniors Holly Ward and Cassady Knudsen.
Entering the fifth week of the season, Mississippi State's pitching staff continues its dominance in the circle. The Bulldog's .072 earned run average is the fourth lowest in the country as three of the top four ERAs are held by SEC squads.
Knudsen has struck out at least 10 batters in four of her six starts this season as she continues to lead the country with a staggering 12.2 strikeouts per seven innings average.
Over the weekend, MSU was led by junior Emily Heimberger at the plate. The slap hitter went 5-for-10 for a .500 average and scored a team-high six runs. She also swiped a career-high two bases in three of State's five contests. Heimberger currently ranks eighth in the conference as she averages 0.47 stolen bases per game.
MSU returns to action tomorrow night, hosting Boston College at Nusz Park at 6 p.m. CT. The midweek game is third of the "No One Fights Alone" campaign as MSU will sport teal uniforms to bring awareness to ovarian cancer and freshman outfielder Alex Wilcox's battle with the disease.
For more information on the MSU softball program, follow "HailStateSB" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also find all-access coverage of the Bulldogs on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
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