Softball Honors Alex Wilcox by Hosting Inaugural “The Snowman” Tournament

Saturday, February 23

Starkville

12:00 PM

Mississippi State

Georgia Tech

Honoring the memory and celebrating the life of former Bulldog Alex Wilcox, softball is set to host the inaugural “The Snowman” Tournament this weekend at Nusz Park.

Softball Honors Alex Wilcox by Hosting Inaugural “The Snowman” Tournament

February 22, 2019 | Softball

Live Stats SEC Network + Game Notes

by Taylor Shirey, Assistant Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – Honoring the memory and celebrating the life of former Bulldog Alex Wilcox, Mississippi State softball (7-3) is set to host the inaugural "The Snowman" Tournament this weekend at Nusz Park.

"We wanted to have a tournament to honor Alex and her legacy," said head coach Vann Stuedeman. "It's very important to everyone on staff, especially her sophomore class. We help people remember her and what she taught us in the short period of time that she was with us. It is important to all of us that people know Alex and what she stood for."

The second non-conference tournament of the season in Starkville, the tournament field features Georgia Tech, Southeastern Louisiana Tech and Alcorn State. Former Bulldog pitching great Allison Owen is a member of the Yellow Jacket coaching staff, marking the first time that Stuedeman has coach against a former student-athlete.

The weather-altered tournament begins on Saturday, Feb. 23 as the Bulldogs face Georgia Tech at noon. State's tournament slate continues on Sunday, Feb. 24 with a rematch with the Yellow Jackets at 12:30 p.m. CT before facing Southeastern Louisiana at 3 p.m. CT.

The tournament concludes on Monday, Feb. 25 with a doubleheader against Georgia Tech (3 p.m. CT) and Alcorn State (5:30 p.m. CT). Monday's slate will be aired on the SEC Network + with Jackson Ledford and Bulldog alumna Morgan Bell on the call.

Wednesday, MSU earned its first midweek victory of the 2019 campaign as the Bulldog knocked off Alabama State, 3-1. Sophomore Mia Davidson and junior Fa Leilua both homered in the contest, marking the second time this season the Bulldog duo have gone yard in the game.

Leillua (7) and Davidson (6) currently second and third, respectively, in the Southeastern Conference and all of Division I softball in total home runs this season. Leilua has recorded at least one home run in State's last three games.

Over Mississippi State's last four games, Davidson has slugged a total four homers coupled with a 2.000 slugging percentage and a .909 batting average. Davidson has recorded a hit in 10 of her last 11 plate appearances.

2019 The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament Schedule
Saturday, Feb. 23
Game 1 – Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech – 12 p.m. CT

Saturday, Feb. 24
Game 2 – Alcorn State vs. Georgia Teach – 10 a.m. CT
Game 3 – Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech – 12:30 p.m. CT
Game 4 – Mississippi State vs. Southeastern Louisiana – 3 p.m. CT
Game 5 – Southeastern Louisiana vs. Alcorn State – 5:30 p.m. CT

Monday, Feb. 25
Game 6 – Georgia Tech vs. Southeastern Louisiana – 10 a.m. CT
Game 7 – Alcorn State vs. Southeastern Louisiana – 12:30 p.m. CT
Game 8 – Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech – 3 p.m. CT
Game 9 – Mississippi State vs. Alcorn State – 5:30 p.m. CT

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Against Georgia Tech
Overall: Mississippi State leads, 9-2
In Starkville: Mississippi State leads, 5-0
Last Meeting: Mississippi State def. Georgia Tech, 5-3 (Feb. 25, 2012 in Clearwater, Fla.)
Current Streak: Mississippi State, +3

Against Southeastern Louisiana
Overall: Mississippi State leads, 7-0
In Starkville: Mississippi State leads, 4-0
Last Meeting: Mississippi State def. Southeastern Louisiana, 3-2 [8 innings] (Feb. 20, 2018 in Starkville)
Current Streak: Mississippi State, +7

Against Alcorn State
Overall: Mississippi State leads, 7-0
In Starkville: Mississippi State leads, 5-0
Last Meeting: Mississippi State def. Alcorn State, 11-0 [5 inning] (April 10, 2018 in Starkville)
Current Streak: Mississippi State, +7

LEADING OFF

Mississippi State hosts its second non-conference tournament of the season, welcoming Georgia Tech, Alcorn State and Southeastern Louisiana to Nusz Park for inaugural The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament.
MSU fell out of the USA Today / NFCA Coaches Poll for the first time this season, but continue to receive votes in both major national polls.
In her eighth season at the helm of Mississippi State, head coach Vann Stuedeman has collected 248 career wins and is now just 47 wins away from tying the program record.
Fa Leilua (7) and Mia Davidson (6) rank second and third, respectively, in the SEC in home runs and have combined for 13 of State's 14 home runs.
Only seven student-athletes have slugged three triples over the first two weeks of the season as senior Kat Moore (3) is one of just two SEC student-athletes to reach the feat to lead the country, joining LSU's Taryn Antoine.
With 945 career putouts to her credit, senior Sarai Niu is just one of six Bulldogs to record over 900 putouts in a MSU career.
Against No. 5 Washington, Mia Davidson went 3-for-3 with three home runs to set MSU's single-game records for home runs and total bases (12). She was one home run away from tying the NCAA record.

Just a sophomore, Mia Davidson has slugged 25 home runs in her career to stand eighth all-time in MSU history. She is just one away from tying Brianna Bell (2008-13) for seventh. She is now just 19 homers shy of tying Kellie Wilkerson's (1999-02) school record.
With help of her perfect 5-for-5 mark this season, senior Bevia Robinson holds a .920 career stolen-base percentage, which ranks ninth among all active Division I student-athletes.
Senior Sarai Niu enters the midweek contest having reached base safely in all 10 of State's games to open the season

ON DECK
Mississippi State returns to midweek action on Wednesday, February 27 as the Bulldogs travel to Memphis to face the Tigers at 6:00 p.m. CT.

WATCH LIVE
Monday's doubleheader slate will be broadcasted live on the SEC Network+ via WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app. Jackson Ledford (play-by-play) and softball alumna Morgan Bell (analyst) will have the call.

Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech
Mississippi State vs. Alcorn State

LIVE STAS
Mississippi State will provide live stats for all nine contests of The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament. Live stats can be accessed by visiting www.msu.statbroadcast.com.

ADMISSION
All regular-season contests at Nusz Park are free admission.

WEATHER
Saturday, Feb. 23 – 72 Degrees; Thunderstorms (100%)
Sunday, Feb. 24 – 58 Degrees, Partly Cloudy (0%)
Monday, Feb. 25 – 58 Degrees, Partly Cloudy (0%)

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