Ricketts Reveals 2020 Softball Schedule
December 11, 2019 | Softball
by Brian Ogden, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – A 55-game regular-season slate awaits the Mississippi State softball program in 2020 with Bulldog fans getting 30 opportunities to see the team at Nusz Park. At least 25 of those games will be against opponents that reached the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
State will play nine neutral-site games across two non-conference tournaments with three true road non-conference matchups on the docket. Four of those games will feature first-time opponents for the Bulldogs.
"We are pleased to announce this spring's schedule and can't wait to get started this February," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "We feel like this is one of our most challenging schedules to date and can't wait to showcase our team not only in StarkVegas and around the SEC but also across the country. In addition to hosting three home tournaments, we will also be able to challenge ourselves on the road in at the NFCA Leadoff Classic as well as the always competitive Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic."
Last year, MSU made its seventh NCAA Regional appearance in the last eight years, tying the best stretch in program history (2002-09). The Bulldogs finished 2019 with a 35-23 record and played in the Seattle Regional championship game.
The 2020 season will open at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida, on Feb. 7 against Missouri State at 11 a.m. CT. The Opening Day double-header will be highlighted by an exhibition game against the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team at 5 p.m. to kick off USA Softball's Stand Beside Her Tour.
"We are honored to be the first game in the Stand Beside Her Tour and take on the USA Softball Women's National Team in an exhibition game as they prepare for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo," Ricketts said. "We are proud of the way these women represent our sport and our country and are excited to take the field with the best players in the world. This game has a special significance to me as my younger sister, Keilani Ricketts, is a member of the Women's National Team on this tour."
MSU will play its home opener when it hosts the Bulldog Kickoff Classic beginning on Feb. 14. The three-day tournament will feature games against Tulsa, North Alabama and Tennessee State. It will mark MSU's first meeting with UNA.
After a midweek road contest at Southeastern Louisiana, State will travel to Palm Springs, California, for the Mary Nutter Classic, meeting Oregon State, Oregon, UC Riverside, BYU and San Diego State.
Fans can rejoin the team at Nusz Park on Feb. 26 for the first of MSU's two home midweek games against Central Arkansas. State will also host UT Martin on March 3. The Bulldogs remain home for two tournaments, hosting The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament on Feb. 28-March 1 and the Bulldog Slamboree on March 6-8.
Following a Wednesday tune-up at Southern Miss on March 11, the Bulldogs open SEC play at home on March 13 against Kentucky. The SEC slate also features home series with Alabama (April 3-5), Arkansas (April 9-11) and South Carolina (April 24-26).
MSU will travel to play LSU (March 21-23), Auburn (March 27-29), Georgia (April 17-19) and Texas A&M (May 1-3). The SEC Tournament will be hosted by Alabama in Tuscaloosa on May 6-9.
State will play two midweek non-conference games to break up the league schedule. A battle of the Bulldogs awaits in Birmingham, Alabama, on March 18 when Mississippi State plays at Samford. Following Super Bulldog Weekend's series with Arkansas, MSU will play in-state foe Southern Miss at home on April 14.
NCAA postseason play opens on May 14 with the Regional round. Super Regionals will be held May 21-24, and the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City begins May 30.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
STARKVILLE – A 55-game regular-season slate awaits the Mississippi State softball program in 2020 with Bulldog fans getting 30 opportunities to see the team at Nusz Park. At least 25 of those games will be against opponents that reached the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
State will play nine neutral-site games across two non-conference tournaments with three true road non-conference matchups on the docket. Four of those games will feature first-time opponents for the Bulldogs.
"We are pleased to announce this spring's schedule and can't wait to get started this February," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "We feel like this is one of our most challenging schedules to date and can't wait to showcase our team not only in StarkVegas and around the SEC but also across the country. In addition to hosting three home tournaments, we will also be able to challenge ourselves on the road in at the NFCA Leadoff Classic as well as the always competitive Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic."
Last year, MSU made its seventh NCAA Regional appearance in the last eight years, tying the best stretch in program history (2002-09). The Bulldogs finished 2019 with a 35-23 record and played in the Seattle Regional championship game.
The 2020 season will open at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida, on Feb. 7 against Missouri State at 11 a.m. CT. The Opening Day double-header will be highlighted by an exhibition game against the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team at 5 p.m. to kick off USA Softball's Stand Beside Her Tour.
"We are honored to be the first game in the Stand Beside Her Tour and take on the USA Softball Women's National Team in an exhibition game as they prepare for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo," Ricketts said. "We are proud of the way these women represent our sport and our country and are excited to take the field with the best players in the world. This game has a special significance to me as my younger sister, Keilani Ricketts, is a member of the Women's National Team on this tour."
MSU will play its home opener when it hosts the Bulldog Kickoff Classic beginning on Feb. 14. The three-day tournament will feature games against Tulsa, North Alabama and Tennessee State. It will mark MSU's first meeting with UNA.
After a midweek road contest at Southeastern Louisiana, State will travel to Palm Springs, California, for the Mary Nutter Classic, meeting Oregon State, Oregon, UC Riverside, BYU and San Diego State.
Fans can rejoin the team at Nusz Park on Feb. 26 for the first of MSU's two home midweek games against Central Arkansas. State will also host UT Martin on March 3. The Bulldogs remain home for two tournaments, hosting The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament on Feb. 28-March 1 and the Bulldog Slamboree on March 6-8.
Following a Wednesday tune-up at Southern Miss on March 11, the Bulldogs open SEC play at home on March 13 against Kentucky. The SEC slate also features home series with Alabama (April 3-5), Arkansas (April 9-11) and South Carolina (April 24-26).
MSU will travel to play LSU (March 21-23), Auburn (March 27-29), Georgia (April 17-19) and Texas A&M (May 1-3). The SEC Tournament will be hosted by Alabama in Tuscaloosa on May 6-9.
State will play two midweek non-conference games to break up the league schedule. A battle of the Bulldogs awaits in Birmingham, Alabama, on March 18 when Mississippi State plays at Samford. Following Super Bulldog Weekend's series with Arkansas, MSU will play in-state foe Southern Miss at home on April 14.
NCAA postseason play opens on May 14 with the Regional round. Super Regionals will be held May 21-24, and the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City begins May 30.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
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