Friday, May 18
Tucson, Ariz.
8:00 PM
Mississippi State
vs
North Dakota State
Mississippi Sate's road to the Women's College World Series begins tomorrow against North Dakota State in the Tucson Regional.
Bulldogs Open Tucson Regional Play Against North Dakota State
May 17, 2018 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – For Mississippi State softball (36-21), the road to the Women's College World Series begins in Tucson, Ariz., as the Bulldogs open the 2018 NCAA Tournament against North Dakota State (33-17) in the first round of the Tucson Regional on Friday.
First pitch from Hillenbrand Stadium is set for 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2 with Mark Neely and Danielle Lawrie on the call. Along with the Bulldogs and the Bison in action, Tucson Regional host No. 9 Arizona (40-14) and St. Francis (Pa.) (39-17) will square off Friday at 10:30 p.m. CT on ESPN 3. National broadcast assignments for the remaining games of the regional will be announced later in the week, but every game of the Tucson Regional will be available through WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app.
The winner of the Tucson Regional is set to face the winner of the Los Angeles Regional, hosted by No. 3 UCLA (50-4). Also competing in the Los Angeles Regional is Sacramento State (31-18), Cal State Fullerton (33-23) and Texas State (42-14).
The Bulldogs are making their 14th NCAA Tournament appearances in its 22nd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and hold an overall record of 12-26 in regional play. All 14 postseason appearances have come since 2000, while head coach Vann Stuedeman has led MSU to six showings over the last seven seasons, which is the best stretch since State went to postseason play seven of eight years from 2002-09.
MSU has picked up at least one win in regional play in three of its last four appearances and is looking to advance to the program's first Super Regional in school history.
In their last NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017, the Bulldogs traveled to Sat Lake City, Utah, falling in the series opener to No. 21 BYU, 8-0. The Bulldogs would face Fordham in an elimination game the following day, but dropped the contest in a 9-3 final.
For the second consecutive season, all 13 Southeastern Conference teams earned NCAA Tournament bids. The league also set a new NCAA record as nine programs were selected as one of the Top 16 seeds.
Fans looking to make the journey to Tucson to cheer on the Bulldogs can still purchase all-session and single-game tickets while supplies last. Ticket prices and information can be found at ArizonaWildcats.com.
Friday's matchup will mark the first overall meeting in school history between MSU and North Dakota State. The Bulldogs have met both St. Francis and Arizona prior to this weekend, holding a 1-0 advantage over St. Francis, while Arizona leads the all-time series 2-1. MSU and Arizona previously faced off in postseason play in 2007 when the Bulldogs last traveled to Tucson for the 2007 Tucson Regional. The Wildcats won that meeting by an 8-0 score.
State is led by First Team All-SEC selection and SEC Freshman of the Year, Mia Davidson. Davidson currently leads the SEC in home runs (18), home runs per game (.32), total bases (137) and slugging percentage (.770). She is the lone Bulldog this season to record 45 or more hits, runs scored and RBIs as she leads MSU in all three categories. One of 10 finalists for the Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award, Davidson is just one home run away from setting a new single-season record for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldog pitching staff has been phenomenal over the season, setting a new school record with 18 shutouts over the 2018 campaign. The staff's 2.00 ERA ranks fifth in the conference and 21st nationally. The squad's ERA is currently tied with the 2006 Bulldog pitching staff for the fourth-lowest ERA in school history.
Holly Ward paces the team with a 1.33 ERA, which is currently the lowest individual ERA recorded by a Bulldog pitcher since 1998 and comes in as the fourth lowest in single-season history. Ward is with Autumn Anderson (1998) for single-season record with eight shutouts, which ranks third in the SEC. Ward also ranks sixth in the conference with 164 strikeouts this season.
LAST TIME OUT
Mississippi State spent last week in Columbia, Mo., for the 2018 SEC Championship tournament. After picking up the program's first tournament victory since 2005, the Bulldogs fell to three-seeded South Carolina, 3-1, in the tournament's second round.
Thursday, May 10
No. 12 South Carolina def. No. 25 Mississippi State, 3-1 (Recap, Box Score)
TUCSON REGIONAL SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)
Friday, May 18
G1: North Dakota State vs. Mississippi State – 8 p.m. CT (ESPN2)
G2: Saint Francis (Pa.) vs. Arizona – 10:30 p.m. CT (ESPN3)
Saturday, May 19
G3: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 – 4 p.m. CT
G4: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 – 6:30 p.m. CT
G5: Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3 – 9 p.m. CT
Sunday, May 20
G6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5 – 6 p.m. CT
G7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (If Necessary) – 8:30 p.m. CT
SERIES HISTORY
Against North Dakota State
Overall: First Meeting
At Neutral Site: First Meeting
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Current Streak: First Meeting
Against Saint Francis (Pa.)
Overall: Mississippi State leads 1-0
At Neutral Site: Mississippi State leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Mississippi State def. Saint Francis (Pa.), 7-0 (March 4, 2005 in Marietta, Ga.)
Current Streak: Mississippi State, +1
Against Arizona
Overall: Arizona leads 2-1
At Neutral Site: Series tied 1-1
Last Meeting: Arizona def. Mississippi State, 8-0 (May 19, 2007)
Current Streak: Arizona, +2
CLUBHOUSE LEADERS
Batting Average: Mia Davidson (.371)
Slugging Percentage: Mia Davidson (.770)
On-Base Percentage: Mia Davidson (.444)
Runs: Mia Davidson (48)
Hits: Mia Davidson (66)
RBI: Mia Davidson (46)
Doubles: Mia Davidson (13)
Triples: Three players (3)
Home Runs: Mia Davidson (18)
Stolen Bases: Emily Heimberger (16)
ERA: Holly Ward (1.33)
Opposing Batting Average: Holly Ward (.197)
Innings Pitched: Holly Ward (168.2)
Strikeouts: Holly Ward (164)
TICKET PUNCHED
Mississippi State's selection to the Tucson Regional marks the sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last seven years for the Bulldogs, which is the best stretch in program history since going seven out of eight years from 2002-09. MSU earned the two-seed in the Tucson Regional, marking the first time since 2008 that the Bulldogs entered a regional as a two-seed.
State is making its 14th NCAA Regional appearance in its 22nd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference. MSU holds a 12-24 overall record in regional play. All 14 of MSU postseason appearances have come since the 2000 season. The Bulldogs have one at least one game in regional play in three of their last four appearances and are looking to advance to the first Super Regional in program history.
WILD, WILD WEST
For the second consecutive season, MSU's road to Oklahoma City, Okla., and the Women's College World Series will begin out west as the Bulldogs trek to Tucson for the first time since 2007. Lats season, Vann Stuedeman's squad competed in the Salt Lake City Regional in Utah, falling to tournament host No. 21 Utah, 8-0 and then to Fordham, 9-3.
GOING BACK-TO-BACK
For the second consecutive year, the Southeastern Conference made postseason history after sending all 13 squads to the NCAA Tournament with an NCAA-record nine programs hosting regional sites.
BULLDOG TRIO HONORED AS ALL-REGION SELECTIONS
For the first time since 2015, three Bulldogs were named to the NFCA All-South Region teams as Holly Ward and Mia Davidson were tabbed to the Second Team and Reggie Harrison picked up Third Team honors.
Overall, MSU now has 41 total NFCA All-Region honors spread out amongst 26 players since 1997 with 15 of those coming during head coach Vann Stuedeman's seven season at the helm of the Bulldogs. This is also the 14th season that MSY has received multiple NFCA All-Region selections. In total 46 athletes from the SEC were tabbed to All-Region squads this season.
FROM STATE TO THE SHOW
As her impressive senior campaign winds down, Holly Ward earned an invite to continue her career on the professional level. Ward was one of eight collegiate seniors invited to join Scrap Yard Fastptich, an independent women's professional softball team, for the 2018 summer season. Ward will joining Mississippi State alums Kayla Winkfield (2013-16) and Alexis Silkwood (2014-17) as members of the Scrap Yard Dawg roster.
Ward is the third Mississippi State pitch under the Vann Stuedeman era to play professionally, following Silkwood and Allison Owen (2013-14). She is the 15th Bulldog in school history to either be drafted or invited to play professionally.
BLANK'EM
Behind Holly Ward's three-hit shutout over No. 13 Texas A&M in the opening round of the SEC Championship tournament on May 9, the Bulldog pitching staff recorded its 18th shutout of the season to set a new school record. The previous record of 17 was originally set over the 1998 season.
The shutout was Ward's eighth of the season, which ties Autumn Anderson (1998) for the single-season record.
In her seven seasons at the helm, head coach Vann Stuedeman's staffs have recorded 75 shutouts.
DAVIDSON REELS IN SEC HONORS
Behind a phenomenal debut season, Mia Davidson reeled in the postseason honors as she was selected as the league's Freshman of the Year as well as earning First Team All-SEC and Freshman All-SEC honors.
Davidson is just the third Bulldog to ever be named the league's top freshman and the first since two-time All-American Courtney Bures in 2005.
With Davidson's First Team All-SEC selection, Mississippi State has earned a first team honoree for the second consecutive season as Davidson follows the footsteps of Caroline Seitz (2017). Davidson is the first MSU freshman to earn All-SEC First Team honors since Bures in 2005. Davidson was also honored with a selection to the SEC All-Freshman team, becoming the first Bulldog to earn the honor since Seitz and Alexis Silkwood were both named to the team in 2014.
SLUGGING TOWARDS SEASON RECORD
With 57 games of her freshman season under her belt, Mia Davidson has etched her name into the record books. Davidson slugged her 18th home run of the season during the regular-season finale versus Tennessee (5/6) to set a new MSU freshman record.
She is also now tied with Iyhia McMichael for the Mississippi State single-season record. Even more impressive, Davidson is already on the MSU career home run charts, checking in tied for ninth.
BOMB SQUAD
As a team the Bulldogs have hit 49 home runs, which ranks sixth in the Southeastern Conference and is also the third-most homers hit in a single season by MSU. The Bulldogs have turned in 15 multi-home run games this season, including tying the program record with four home runs versus Tennessee on May 5.
Freshman Mia Davidson leads the team, knocking 18 of MSU's 49 home runs, and leads the SEC in bombs as well as tying for MSU's single-season record.
Five Bulldogs have also knocked the first home runs of their career this season: Carter Spexarth, Grace Dabbs, Carmen Carter, Macey Petrey and Bevia Robinson.
DAVIDSON FINALIST FOR NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Last week, Mia Davidson was named one of 10 finalists for the 2018 Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I National Freshman on the Year and is one of just two SEC freshmen to be up for the award.
At the dish, Davidson is the lone Bulldog to record 45 or more hits, runs scored and RBIs this season, leading Mississippi State in all three categories. Through the first 57 games of the season, Davidson holds a team-leading .371 average with help of 66 hits.
Davidson leads the SEC with a .770 slugging percentage with help of 13 doubles, two triples and 18 home runs, which ties the MSU single-season history. She has also driven in 46 runs for the Bulldogs. The Hillsborough, N.C., native has recorded 15 walks and 10 hit by pitches to hold a .444 on-base percentage over her debut season.
WARD UP
With two starts over the SEC Championship tournament, Holly Ward help make history with her eighth shutout of the season to tie the individual single-season record and help MSU break the team season record with 18 shutouts over 2018. Ward now stand tied for third in career history in shutouts. She ranks in the Top 10 in eight MSU career categories heading into the postseason.
T3rd Shutouts 13
5th Strikeouts 365
5th Opponent Batting Avg. .229
T5th Saves 7
T6th Solo No-Hitters 1
7th Innings Pitched 450.0
9th Strikeouts per 7 inn. 5.65
9th Wins 37
MAMA MIA!
Mia Davidson continues to prove that being a freshman is not a limitation when it comes to success at the plate in the SEC.
Davidson currently ranks in the top 10 in the Southeastern Conference in 11 offensive categories, including leading the league in total bases (137), home runs (18), home runs per game (0.32) and slugging percentage (.770)
Nationally, Davidson ranks in the top 15 in two categories – 13th in total bases and 14th in home runs.
SHUTDOWN STAFF
MSU's pitching staff has set a new program record with 18 shutouts over the 2018 season, including 14 complete-game shutouts over the first 57 games of the season.
MSU set a program record by opening 2018 with five straight shutout victories. The Bulldog staff was just one of three teams, joining Alabama and Lipscomb, to shut out opponents in every contest over opening weekend.
Entering the 15th week of the season, MSU ranks 21st in the country and fifth in the SEC with an 2.00 ERA, allowing just 108 earned runs over 378.1 innings this season.
WEATHER
Friday, May 18 – Sunny, 92 Degrees (0%)
Saturday, May 19 – Sunny, 94 Degrees (0%)
Sunday, May 20 – Sunny, 97 Degrees (0%)
WATCH LIVE
Every game of the Tucson Regional will be broadcasted by EPSN with Mark Neely and Danielle Lawrie on the call. Fans can access every game of all 16 regional sites through WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app. Friday's opening contest versus North Dakota State will feature a national broadcast, airing on ESPN 2.
Mississippi State vs. North Dakota State (ESPN2)
LIVE STATS
Arizona will provide live stats for every game of the Tucson Regional. Fans can access live stats through GameTracker as part of the NCAA's interactive bracket.
Tucson Regional Live Stats
ADMISSION
Fans looking to make their way to Arizona can still purchase both single-game and session tickets while supplies last. Ticket practices and more information can be found at ArizonaWildcats.com.
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".
First pitch from Hillenbrand Stadium is set for 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2 with Mark Neely and Danielle Lawrie on the call. Along with the Bulldogs and the Bison in action, Tucson Regional host No. 9 Arizona (40-14) and St. Francis (Pa.) (39-17) will square off Friday at 10:30 p.m. CT on ESPN 3. National broadcast assignments for the remaining games of the regional will be announced later in the week, but every game of the Tucson Regional will be available through WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app.
The winner of the Tucson Regional is set to face the winner of the Los Angeles Regional, hosted by No. 3 UCLA (50-4). Also competing in the Los Angeles Regional is Sacramento State (31-18), Cal State Fullerton (33-23) and Texas State (42-14).
The Bulldogs are making their 14th NCAA Tournament appearances in its 22nd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and hold an overall record of 12-26 in regional play. All 14 postseason appearances have come since 2000, while head coach Vann Stuedeman has led MSU to six showings over the last seven seasons, which is the best stretch since State went to postseason play seven of eight years from 2002-09.
MSU has picked up at least one win in regional play in three of its last four appearances and is looking to advance to the program's first Super Regional in school history.
In their last NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017, the Bulldogs traveled to Sat Lake City, Utah, falling in the series opener to No. 21 BYU, 8-0. The Bulldogs would face Fordham in an elimination game the following day, but dropped the contest in a 9-3 final.
For the second consecutive season, all 13 Southeastern Conference teams earned NCAA Tournament bids. The league also set a new NCAA record as nine programs were selected as one of the Top 16 seeds.
Fans looking to make the journey to Tucson to cheer on the Bulldogs can still purchase all-session and single-game tickets while supplies last. Ticket prices and information can be found at ArizonaWildcats.com.
Friday's matchup will mark the first overall meeting in school history between MSU and North Dakota State. The Bulldogs have met both St. Francis and Arizona prior to this weekend, holding a 1-0 advantage over St. Francis, while Arizona leads the all-time series 2-1. MSU and Arizona previously faced off in postseason play in 2007 when the Bulldogs last traveled to Tucson for the 2007 Tucson Regional. The Wildcats won that meeting by an 8-0 score.
State is led by First Team All-SEC selection and SEC Freshman of the Year, Mia Davidson. Davidson currently leads the SEC in home runs (18), home runs per game (.32), total bases (137) and slugging percentage (.770). She is the lone Bulldog this season to record 45 or more hits, runs scored and RBIs as she leads MSU in all three categories. One of 10 finalists for the Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award, Davidson is just one home run away from setting a new single-season record for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldog pitching staff has been phenomenal over the season, setting a new school record with 18 shutouts over the 2018 campaign. The staff's 2.00 ERA ranks fifth in the conference and 21st nationally. The squad's ERA is currently tied with the 2006 Bulldog pitching staff for the fourth-lowest ERA in school history.
Holly Ward paces the team with a 1.33 ERA, which is currently the lowest individual ERA recorded by a Bulldog pitcher since 1998 and comes in as the fourth lowest in single-season history. Ward is with Autumn Anderson (1998) for single-season record with eight shutouts, which ranks third in the SEC. Ward also ranks sixth in the conference with 164 strikeouts this season.
LAST TIME OUT
Mississippi State spent last week in Columbia, Mo., for the 2018 SEC Championship tournament. After picking up the program's first tournament victory since 2005, the Bulldogs fell to three-seeded South Carolina, 3-1, in the tournament's second round.
Thursday, May 10
No. 12 South Carolina def. No. 25 Mississippi State, 3-1 (Recap, Box Score)
TUCSON REGIONAL SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)
Friday, May 18
G1: North Dakota State vs. Mississippi State – 8 p.m. CT (ESPN2)
G2: Saint Francis (Pa.) vs. Arizona – 10:30 p.m. CT (ESPN3)
Saturday, May 19
G3: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 – 4 p.m. CT
G4: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 – 6:30 p.m. CT
G5: Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3 – 9 p.m. CT
Sunday, May 20
G6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5 – 6 p.m. CT
G7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (If Necessary) – 8:30 p.m. CT
SERIES HISTORY
Against North Dakota State
Overall: First Meeting
At Neutral Site: First Meeting
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Current Streak: First Meeting
Against Saint Francis (Pa.)
Overall: Mississippi State leads 1-0
At Neutral Site: Mississippi State leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Mississippi State def. Saint Francis (Pa.), 7-0 (March 4, 2005 in Marietta, Ga.)
Current Streak: Mississippi State, +1
Against Arizona
Overall: Arizona leads 2-1
At Neutral Site: Series tied 1-1
Last Meeting: Arizona def. Mississippi State, 8-0 (May 19, 2007)
Current Streak: Arizona, +2
CLUBHOUSE LEADERS
Batting Average: Mia Davidson (.371)
Slugging Percentage: Mia Davidson (.770)
On-Base Percentage: Mia Davidson (.444)
Runs: Mia Davidson (48)
Hits: Mia Davidson (66)
RBI: Mia Davidson (46)
Doubles: Mia Davidson (13)
Triples: Three players (3)
Home Runs: Mia Davidson (18)
Stolen Bases: Emily Heimberger (16)
ERA: Holly Ward (1.33)
Opposing Batting Average: Holly Ward (.197)
Innings Pitched: Holly Ward (168.2)
Strikeouts: Holly Ward (164)
TICKET PUNCHED
Mississippi State's selection to the Tucson Regional marks the sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last seven years for the Bulldogs, which is the best stretch in program history since going seven out of eight years from 2002-09. MSU earned the two-seed in the Tucson Regional, marking the first time since 2008 that the Bulldogs entered a regional as a two-seed.
State is making its 14th NCAA Regional appearance in its 22nd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference. MSU holds a 12-24 overall record in regional play. All 14 of MSU postseason appearances have come since the 2000 season. The Bulldogs have one at least one game in regional play in three of their last four appearances and are looking to advance to the first Super Regional in program history.
WILD, WILD WEST
For the second consecutive season, MSU's road to Oklahoma City, Okla., and the Women's College World Series will begin out west as the Bulldogs trek to Tucson for the first time since 2007. Lats season, Vann Stuedeman's squad competed in the Salt Lake City Regional in Utah, falling to tournament host No. 21 Utah, 8-0 and then to Fordham, 9-3.
GOING BACK-TO-BACK
For the second consecutive year, the Southeastern Conference made postseason history after sending all 13 squads to the NCAA Tournament with an NCAA-record nine programs hosting regional sites.
BULLDOG TRIO HONORED AS ALL-REGION SELECTIONS
For the first time since 2015, three Bulldogs were named to the NFCA All-South Region teams as Holly Ward and Mia Davidson were tabbed to the Second Team and Reggie Harrison picked up Third Team honors.
Overall, MSU now has 41 total NFCA All-Region honors spread out amongst 26 players since 1997 with 15 of those coming during head coach Vann Stuedeman's seven season at the helm of the Bulldogs. This is also the 14th season that MSY has received multiple NFCA All-Region selections. In total 46 athletes from the SEC were tabbed to All-Region squads this season.
FROM STATE TO THE SHOW
As her impressive senior campaign winds down, Holly Ward earned an invite to continue her career on the professional level. Ward was one of eight collegiate seniors invited to join Scrap Yard Fastptich, an independent women's professional softball team, for the 2018 summer season. Ward will joining Mississippi State alums Kayla Winkfield (2013-16) and Alexis Silkwood (2014-17) as members of the Scrap Yard Dawg roster.
Ward is the third Mississippi State pitch under the Vann Stuedeman era to play professionally, following Silkwood and Allison Owen (2013-14). She is the 15th Bulldog in school history to either be drafted or invited to play professionally.
BLANK'EM
Behind Holly Ward's three-hit shutout over No. 13 Texas A&M in the opening round of the SEC Championship tournament on May 9, the Bulldog pitching staff recorded its 18th shutout of the season to set a new school record. The previous record of 17 was originally set over the 1998 season.
The shutout was Ward's eighth of the season, which ties Autumn Anderson (1998) for the single-season record.
In her seven seasons at the helm, head coach Vann Stuedeman's staffs have recorded 75 shutouts.
DAVIDSON REELS IN SEC HONORS
Behind a phenomenal debut season, Mia Davidson reeled in the postseason honors as she was selected as the league's Freshman of the Year as well as earning First Team All-SEC and Freshman All-SEC honors.
Davidson is just the third Bulldog to ever be named the league's top freshman and the first since two-time All-American Courtney Bures in 2005.
With Davidson's First Team All-SEC selection, Mississippi State has earned a first team honoree for the second consecutive season as Davidson follows the footsteps of Caroline Seitz (2017). Davidson is the first MSU freshman to earn All-SEC First Team honors since Bures in 2005. Davidson was also honored with a selection to the SEC All-Freshman team, becoming the first Bulldog to earn the honor since Seitz and Alexis Silkwood were both named to the team in 2014.
SLUGGING TOWARDS SEASON RECORD
With 57 games of her freshman season under her belt, Mia Davidson has etched her name into the record books. Davidson slugged her 18th home run of the season during the regular-season finale versus Tennessee (5/6) to set a new MSU freshman record.
She is also now tied with Iyhia McMichael for the Mississippi State single-season record. Even more impressive, Davidson is already on the MSU career home run charts, checking in tied for ninth.
BOMB SQUAD
As a team the Bulldogs have hit 49 home runs, which ranks sixth in the Southeastern Conference and is also the third-most homers hit in a single season by MSU. The Bulldogs have turned in 15 multi-home run games this season, including tying the program record with four home runs versus Tennessee on May 5.
Freshman Mia Davidson leads the team, knocking 18 of MSU's 49 home runs, and leads the SEC in bombs as well as tying for MSU's single-season record.
Five Bulldogs have also knocked the first home runs of their career this season: Carter Spexarth, Grace Dabbs, Carmen Carter, Macey Petrey and Bevia Robinson.
DAVIDSON FINALIST FOR NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Last week, Mia Davidson was named one of 10 finalists for the 2018 Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I National Freshman on the Year and is one of just two SEC freshmen to be up for the award.
At the dish, Davidson is the lone Bulldog to record 45 or more hits, runs scored and RBIs this season, leading Mississippi State in all three categories. Through the first 57 games of the season, Davidson holds a team-leading .371 average with help of 66 hits.
Davidson leads the SEC with a .770 slugging percentage with help of 13 doubles, two triples and 18 home runs, which ties the MSU single-season history. She has also driven in 46 runs for the Bulldogs. The Hillsborough, N.C., native has recorded 15 walks and 10 hit by pitches to hold a .444 on-base percentage over her debut season.
WARD UP
With two starts over the SEC Championship tournament, Holly Ward help make history with her eighth shutout of the season to tie the individual single-season record and help MSU break the team season record with 18 shutouts over 2018. Ward now stand tied for third in career history in shutouts. She ranks in the Top 10 in eight MSU career categories heading into the postseason.
T3rd Shutouts 13
5th Strikeouts 365
5th Opponent Batting Avg. .229
T5th Saves 7
T6th Solo No-Hitters 1
7th Innings Pitched 450.0
9th Strikeouts per 7 inn. 5.65
9th Wins 37
MAMA MIA!
Mia Davidson continues to prove that being a freshman is not a limitation when it comes to success at the plate in the SEC.
Davidson currently ranks in the top 10 in the Southeastern Conference in 11 offensive categories, including leading the league in total bases (137), home runs (18), home runs per game (0.32) and slugging percentage (.770)
Nationally, Davidson ranks in the top 15 in two categories – 13th in total bases and 14th in home runs.
SHUTDOWN STAFF
MSU's pitching staff has set a new program record with 18 shutouts over the 2018 season, including 14 complete-game shutouts over the first 57 games of the season.
MSU set a program record by opening 2018 with five straight shutout victories. The Bulldog staff was just one of three teams, joining Alabama and Lipscomb, to shut out opponents in every contest over opening weekend.
Entering the 15th week of the season, MSU ranks 21st in the country and fifth in the SEC with an 2.00 ERA, allowing just 108 earned runs over 378.1 innings this season.
WEATHER
Friday, May 18 – Sunny, 92 Degrees (0%)
Saturday, May 19 – Sunny, 94 Degrees (0%)
Sunday, May 20 – Sunny, 97 Degrees (0%)
WATCH LIVE
Every game of the Tucson Regional will be broadcasted by EPSN with Mark Neely and Danielle Lawrie on the call. Fans can access every game of all 16 regional sites through WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app. Friday's opening contest versus North Dakota State will feature a national broadcast, airing on ESPN 2.
Mississippi State vs. North Dakota State (ESPN2)
LIVE STATS
Arizona will provide live stats for every game of the Tucson Regional. Fans can access live stats through GameTracker as part of the NCAA's interactive bracket.
Tucson Regional Live Stats
ADMISSION
Fans looking to make their way to Arizona can still purchase both single-game and session tickets while supplies last. Ticket practices and more information can be found at ArizonaWildcats.com.
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".
Players Mentioned
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OF
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C/INF
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INF
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UTL
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UTL
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P/UTL
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