Sunday, February 24
Starkville
12:30 PM
Mississippi State
9-3
9
vs
0
Georgia Tech
6-6
1
2
3
4
5
R
H
E
Georgia Tech
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
Mississippi State
4
5
0
0
X
9
7
1
For the second straight day, Fa Leilua's clutch hitting powered State to a come-from-behind victory.
Extra-Inning Dramatics Secure Softball’s Sunday Sweep
February 24, 2019 | Softball
by Taylor Shirey, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – After flexing the offense to secure a run-rule victory over Georgia Tech, Mississippi State softball delivered a dramatic, extra-inning triumph over Southeastern Louisiana to sweep Sunday's action at Nusz Park.
In the second day of action of The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament, MSU (10-3) opened Sunday's slate with a 9-0 triumph over Georgia Tech (6-6). The high-slugging contest was highlighted by senior Kat Moore's first career grand slam as she tallied five RBI versus the Yellow Jackets.
Sunday's finale took nine innings to decide a winner, but junior Fa Leilua walked off a 4-3 victory over Southeastern Louisiana (6-7) with two-out RBI single to help State notched its 10th victory of the 2019 campaign.
The action started early on Sunday as Mississippi State plated jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with a huge two-out rally. The Bulldogs loaded the bases with a walk to sophomore Mia Davidson, a hit by pitch on Leilua and a fielding error at third base on senior Sarai Niu's ground ball. Moore would make the Yellow Jackets pay with the first grand slam of her career to give State an early lead.
The onslaught would continue in the second inning as sophomore Grace Dabbs led off with a single through the left side and moved into scoring position off a sacrifice bunt by senior Bevia Robinson. Senior Emily Heimberger knocked a single up the middle to move Dabbs to third base before a wild pitch from Georgia Tech's Palmer Pinholster brought home a run.
Once again, MSU would load the bases with two outs with back-to-back walks to Leilua and Niu. Moore would draw the third consecutive walk of the inning to push MSU's lead to 6-0. Redshirt sophomore Montana Davidson extended the Bulldog left to 7-0 with a single to left field before a Yellow Jacket error at second base would allow two additional State runs to score to close the second inning.
Sophomore Emily Williams tossed the complete-game shutout, her second of the season, to earn the victory. Over five innings, the right-hander allowed just two hits and three walks while striking out two to improve to 2-1 in the circle.
Opening Sunday's second contest in similar fashion, MSU took a first-inning lead over the Lady Lions of Southeastern Louisiana with a solo Mia Davidson home run. State would hold the lead until the top of the third until a Lindsey Rizzo two-run double put the Lady Lions out front.
State responded quickly in the bottom of the inning as a two-out Mia Davidson single to center tied the game up at 2-2. The score would hold through regulation, forcing the first extra-innings contest of the season for MSU.
In the top of the eight, SLU would load the bases with one out with help of two walks and a hit by pitch. A foul ball out in deep right field would record the second out of the inning, but was deep enough to allowed the runner at third to tag up and give SLU a 3-2 lead.
The Lady Lion would record two quicks out in the bottom of the eight, but Mia Davidson played spoiler as she slugged her second solo home run of the contest with a no-doubter to center field to lock the game back up at 3-3.
SLU responded in the top of the ninth, loading bases with no outs with back-to-back singles and a walk, but Williams, who entered the game in relief, forced two pop ups to first base and a strikeout to leave the bases loaded and give State a chance to walk of the game in the ninth.
MSU got the winning run on base to lead off the inning as a fielding error on shortstop allowed sophomore Carter Spexarth to reach. Dabbs flashed the speed to beat out a sacrifice bunt attempt for an infield single to advance pinch runner junior Christian Quinn to second.
Facing the top of the order, SLU recorded a strikeout and a ground out back to the pitcher before intentionally walking Mia Davidson to load the bases. Leilua would delivered the game-winning hit with a single to left field to lift State to a 4-3 walk-off victory.
MSU used four pitchers in the extra-innings triumph with freshman left-hander Grace Fagan carrying the bulk of the load with three innings sof work. She allowed one run off two hits and four walks and recorded five of MSU's seven strikeouts in the game.
Williams picked up the victory in relief, tossing the final inning and allowing just one walk with a strikeout.
MAMMA MIA!
For the second time this season, Mia Davidson has slugged multiple home runs in the same game with her two against the Lady Lions. She has now tied Fa Leilua for the team lead with eight home runs this season. The duo has accounted for 16 of MSU's 18 home runs hit over the 2019 campaign.
Davidson now has 27 home runs in her career, tying Jessica Cooley (2010-2013) for sixth all-time in MSU history. Davidson is just three shy for moving into a tie for fifth. Kellie Wilkerson (1999-02) holds the program record at 44.
2019 The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament Schedule
Saturday, Feb. 23
Game 1 – Mississippi State def. Georgia Tech, 4-2
Saturday, Feb. 24
Game 2 – Georgia Tech def. Alcorn State, 8-4
Game 3 – Mississippi State def. Georgia Tech, 9-0 [5 inn.]
Game 4 – Mississippi State def. Southeastern Louisiana, 4-3 [9 inn.]
Game 5 – Southeastern Louisiana def. Alcorn State, 8-0 [6 inn.]
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
ON DECK
Mississippi State returns to action on Monday, Feb. 25 to round out The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament. The Bulldog will face Georgia Tech for the final time at 3 p.m. CT before taking on Alcorn State at 5:30 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
Monday, Feb. 25 – 58 Degrees, Partly Cloudy (0%)
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".
STARKVILLE – After flexing the offense to secure a run-rule victory over Georgia Tech, Mississippi State softball delivered a dramatic, extra-inning triumph over Southeastern Louisiana to sweep Sunday's action at Nusz Park.
In the second day of action of The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament, MSU (10-3) opened Sunday's slate with a 9-0 triumph over Georgia Tech (6-6). The high-slugging contest was highlighted by senior Kat Moore's first career grand slam as she tallied five RBI versus the Yellow Jackets.
Sunday's finale took nine innings to decide a winner, but junior Fa Leilua walked off a 4-3 victory over Southeastern Louisiana (6-7) with two-out RBI single to help State notched its 10th victory of the 2019 campaign.
The action started early on Sunday as Mississippi State plated jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with a huge two-out rally. The Bulldogs loaded the bases with a walk to sophomore Mia Davidson, a hit by pitch on Leilua and a fielding error at third base on senior Sarai Niu's ground ball. Moore would make the Yellow Jackets pay with the first grand slam of her career to give State an early lead.
The onslaught would continue in the second inning as sophomore Grace Dabbs led off with a single through the left side and moved into scoring position off a sacrifice bunt by senior Bevia Robinson. Senior Emily Heimberger knocked a single up the middle to move Dabbs to third base before a wild pitch from Georgia Tech's Palmer Pinholster brought home a run.
Once again, MSU would load the bases with two outs with back-to-back walks to Leilua and Niu. Moore would draw the third consecutive walk of the inning to push MSU's lead to 6-0. Redshirt sophomore Montana Davidson extended the Bulldog left to 7-0 with a single to left field before a Yellow Jacket error at second base would allow two additional State runs to score to close the second inning.
Sophomore Emily Williams tossed the complete-game shutout, her second of the season, to earn the victory. Over five innings, the right-hander allowed just two hits and three walks while striking out two to improve to 2-1 in the circle.
Opening Sunday's second contest in similar fashion, MSU took a first-inning lead over the Lady Lions of Southeastern Louisiana with a solo Mia Davidson home run. State would hold the lead until the top of the third until a Lindsey Rizzo two-run double put the Lady Lions out front.
State responded quickly in the bottom of the inning as a two-out Mia Davidson single to center tied the game up at 2-2. The score would hold through regulation, forcing the first extra-innings contest of the season for MSU.
In the top of the eight, SLU would load the bases with one out with help of two walks and a hit by pitch. A foul ball out in deep right field would record the second out of the inning, but was deep enough to allowed the runner at third to tag up and give SLU a 3-2 lead.
The Lady Lion would record two quicks out in the bottom of the eight, but Mia Davidson played spoiler as she slugged her second solo home run of the contest with a no-doubter to center field to lock the game back up at 3-3.
SLU responded in the top of the ninth, loading bases with no outs with back-to-back singles and a walk, but Williams, who entered the game in relief, forced two pop ups to first base and a strikeout to leave the bases loaded and give State a chance to walk of the game in the ninth.
MSU got the winning run on base to lead off the inning as a fielding error on shortstop allowed sophomore Carter Spexarth to reach. Dabbs flashed the speed to beat out a sacrifice bunt attempt for an infield single to advance pinch runner junior Christian Quinn to second.
Facing the top of the order, SLU recorded a strikeout and a ground out back to the pitcher before intentionally walking Mia Davidson to load the bases. Leilua would delivered the game-winning hit with a single to left field to lift State to a 4-3 walk-off victory.
MSU used four pitchers in the extra-innings triumph with freshman left-hander Grace Fagan carrying the bulk of the load with three innings sof work. She allowed one run off two hits and four walks and recorded five of MSU's seven strikeouts in the game.
Williams picked up the victory in relief, tossing the final inning and allowing just one walk with a strikeout.
MAMMA MIA!
For the second time this season, Mia Davidson has slugged multiple home runs in the same game with her two against the Lady Lions. She has now tied Fa Leilua for the team lead with eight home runs this season. The duo has accounted for 16 of MSU's 18 home runs hit over the 2019 campaign.
Davidson now has 27 home runs in her career, tying Jessica Cooley (2010-2013) for sixth all-time in MSU history. Davidson is just three shy for moving into a tie for fifth. Kellie Wilkerson (1999-02) holds the program record at 44.
2019 The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament Schedule
Saturday, Feb. 23
Game 1 – Mississippi State def. Georgia Tech, 4-2
Saturday, Feb. 24
Game 2 – Georgia Tech def. Alcorn State, 8-4
Game 3 – Mississippi State def. Georgia Tech, 9-0 [5 inn.]
Game 4 – Mississippi State def. Southeastern Louisiana, 4-3 [9 inn.]
Game 5 – Southeastern Louisiana def. Alcorn State, 8-0 [6 inn.]
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
ON DECK
Mississippi State returns to action on Monday, Feb. 25 to round out The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament. The Bulldog will face Georgia Tech for the final time at 3 p.m. CT before taking on Alcorn State at 5:30 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
Monday, Feb. 25 – 58 Degrees, Partly Cloudy (0%)
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".
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Williams, Emily (2-1)
L: Amber Johns (2-4)
Base Running:
CS: Crosby Huckabay 1
PO: Cameron Stanford 1
Batting:
HR: Moore, Kat 1
RBI: Moore, Kat 5 ; Davidson, Montana 1
SH: Robinson, Bevia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Heimberger, Emily 1 ; Davidson, Mia 1 ; Leilua, Fa 2 ; Niu, Sarai 2 ; Moore, Kat 2 ; Dabbs, Grace 1
SB: Heimberger, Emily 2 ; Denis, Candace 1
HBP: Leilua, Fa 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
1
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C/INF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballUTL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
P/UT
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballSOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference vs. Washington
Saturday, May 17
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference vs. Texas Tech
Saturday, May 17
SOFTBALL | Raelin Chaffin ESPN2 Postgame Interview
Saturday, May 17
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference vs. Washington
Friday, May 16