Friday, February 8
Starkville
3:00 PM
Mississippi State
vs
Middle Tennessee
The Bulldog open the 2019 season by hosting the Bulldog Kickoff Classic at Nusz Park.
Softball Hosts Bulldog Kickoff Classic to Open 28th Season
February 07, 2019 | Softball
by Taylor Shirey, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – After months of practices, conditioning and anticipation, the No. 24 Mississippi State softball team returns to action as it opens the 2019 by hosting the Bulldog Kickoff Classic at Nusz Park over the weekend.
The Bulldogs open the season on Friday with a doubleheader slate versus Middle Tennessee (3 p.m. CT) and Stephen F. Austin (5:30 p.m. CT). Both contests will be streamed on the SEC Network+. Friday's doubleheader kicks off the three-day tournament that also features Valparaiso, who the Bulldogs will battle on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network+.
Following Saturday's contest against the Crusaders, all four teams will be seeded according to records. The one and four seed will square off at 3 p.m. CT with the two versus three seed following at 5:30 p.m. CT. The winners will move to Sunday's championship contest set for 1:30 p.m. CT. The remaining teams will battle in a consolation game at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday.
Eighth-year head coach Vann Stuedeman leads the Bulldogs to their fourth season at Nusz Park and the 28th season in the program's history.
"This is a great tournament for us to get the year going," Stuedeman said. "It will be a good test, and we'll be able to get a lot of our newcomers out there. I look forward to playing some tough opponents and start off strong right out of the gate."
2019 Bulldog Kickoff Classic Schedule
Friday, Feb. 8
Game 1 – Valparaiso vs. Stephen F. Austin – 10 a.m. CT
Game 2 – Valparaiso vs. Middle Tennessee – 12:30 p.m. CT
Game 3 – Mississippi State vs. Middle Tennessee – 3 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)
Game 4 – Mississippi State vs. Stephen F. Austin – 5:30 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)
Saturday, Feb. 9
Game 5 – Middle Tennessee vs. Stephen F. Austin – 10 a.m. CT
Game 6 – Mississippi State vs. Valparaiso – 12:30 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)
Game 7 – One Seed vs. Four Seed – 3 p.m. CT
Game 8 – Two Seed vs. Three Seed – 5:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, Feb. 10
Game 9 – Consolation – 11 a.m. CT
Game 10 – Championship – 1:30 P.m. CT
Inside the Matchup
Against Middle Tennessee
Overall: Mississippi State leads, 5-1
In Starkville: Mississippi Stats leads, 4-0
Last Meeting: Mississippi State def. Middle Tennessee, 9-1 [6 innings] (Feb. 6, 2015 in Starkville)
Current Streak: Mississippi State, +4
Against Stephen F. Austin
Overall: Mississippi State leads, 4-1
In Starkville: Mississippi State leads, 4-0
Last Meeting: Mississippi State def. Stephen F. Austin, 2-1 (Feb. 11, 2018 in Starkville)
Current Streak: Mississippi State, +4
Against Valparaiso
Overall: First Meeting
In Starkville: First Meeting
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Current Streak: First Meeting
Bulldog Kickoff Classic History
Since the tournament's inception in 2013, MSU holds an 25-3 record in the Bulldog Kickoff Classic and has been crowned the tournament champion four times (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017).
Veterans Leading the Charge
MSU returns five position starts from the 2018 roster after losing Calyn Adams, Morgan Bell, Reggie Harrison and Carmen Carter. The pitching staff sees two Bulldogs returning, including junior Candace Denis and sophomore Emily Williams.
In the field, seniors Sarai Niu, Emily Heimberger, Kat Moore and Bevia Robinson return after starting at least 56 games each in 2018. The lineup is highlighted by preseason All-SEC selection Mia Davidson, who set MSU's single-season home run record last season.
Meet the Newcomers
Ten total Bulldogs could make their MSU debut over the weekend. Of the 10, seven are true freshmen. Composing the freshmen class is pitcher/utility player Kayla Boseman, pitcher Grace Fagan, outfielders Jamie Gregg, Chloe Malau'ulu, Chloe Morgan and Anna Kate Segars and catcher/third baseman Jackie McKenna. MSU boasts two transfers from Arizona State in utility player Fa Leilua and pitcher Alyssa Loza. Outfielder Christian Quinn, a transfer from Florida Southwestern College, rounds out the newcomers.
On Deck
Next weekend the Bulldog pack their passports and travel across the border to compete in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico over Feb. 14-16. It will be a tough early test for the Bulldogs as they face Southern Illinois, Central Florida, Sacramento State and #3/2 Washington, the 2018 WCWS runner-up, over the three-day slate. All four contests will be live streamed via FloSoftball.com.
Watch Live
Mississippi State's Friday doubleheader and Saturday's contest versus Valparaiso will be broadcasted on the SEC Network+ via WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app. The remaining broadcast schedule will be determined via seeding.
Mississippi State vs. Middle Tennessee
Mississippi State vs. Stephen F. Austin
Mississippi State vs. Valparaiso
Live Stats
Mississippi State will provide live stats for all 10 contests the weekend. Live stats can be accessed by visiting www.msu.statbroadcast.com.
Admission
All regular-season contests at Nusz Park are free admission
Promotions
Friday, Feb. 8 - vs. Middle Tennessee (3 p.m.); vs. Stephen F. Austin (5:30 p.m.)
- HOME OPENER
- FREE Admission
- GIVEAWAY: Vann Stuedeman Fat Heads (While Supplies Last)
- PROMOTION: FRIDAY BINGO!
- FREE Gift Cards & Prizes Throughout the Games
- Up to 225 Hail State Rewards Points Per Game
- 150 Bully's Kids Club Points Per Game
Saturday, Feb. 9 – vs. Valparaiso (12:30 p.m.); vs. TBD (3 or 5:30 p.m.)
- FREE Admission
- FREE Gift Cards & Prizes Throughout the Games
- Up to 225 Hail State Rewards Points Per Game
- 150 Bully's Kids Club Points Per Game
Sunday, Feb. 10 – vs. TBD (11 or 1:30 p.m.)
- FREE Admission
- FREE Gift Cards & Prizes Throughout the Games
- Up to 225 Hail State Rewards Points Per Game
- 150 Bully's Kids Club Points Per Game
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 months of practices, conditioning and anticipation, the No. 24 Mississippi State softball team returns to action as it opens the 2019 by hosting the Bulldog Kickoff Classic at Nusz Park over the weekend.
The Bulldogs open the season on Friday with a doubleheader slate versus Middle Tennessee (3 p.m. CT) and Stephen F. Austin (5:30 p.m. CT). Both contests will be streamed on the SEC Network+. Friday's doubleheader kicks off the three-day tournament that also features Valparaiso, who the Bulldogs will battle on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network+.
Following Saturday's contest against the Crusaders, all four teams will be seeded according to records. The one and four seed will square off at 3 p.m. CT with the two versus three seed following at 5:30 p.m. CT. The winners will move to Sunday's championship contest set for 1:30 p.m. CT. The remaining teams will battle in a consolation game at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday.
Eighth-year head coach Vann Stuedeman leads the Bulldogs to their fourth season at Nusz Park and the 28th season in the program's history.
"This is a great tournament for us to get the year going," Stuedeman said. "It will be a good test, and we'll be able to get a lot of our newcomers out there. I look forward to playing some tough opponents and start off strong right out of the gate."
2019 Bulldog Kickoff Classic Schedule
Friday, Feb. 8
Game 1 – Valparaiso vs. Stephen F. Austin – 10 a.m. CT
Game 2 – Valparaiso vs. Middle Tennessee – 12:30 p.m. CT
Game 3 – Mississippi State vs. Middle Tennessee – 3 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)
Game 4 – Mississippi State vs. Stephen F. Austin – 5:30 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)
Saturday, Feb. 9
Game 5 – Middle Tennessee vs. Stephen F. Austin – 10 a.m. CT
Game 6 – Mississippi State vs. Valparaiso – 12:30 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)
Game 7 – One Seed vs. Four Seed – 3 p.m. CT
Game 8 – Two Seed vs. Three Seed – 5:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, Feb. 10
Game 9 – Consolation – 11 a.m. CT
Game 10 – Championship – 1:30 P.m. CT
Inside the Matchup
Against Middle Tennessee
Overall: Mississippi State leads, 5-1
In Starkville: Mississippi Stats leads, 4-0
Last Meeting: Mississippi State def. Middle Tennessee, 9-1 [6 innings] (Feb. 6, 2015 in Starkville)
Current Streak: Mississippi State, +4
Against Stephen F. Austin
Overall: Mississippi State leads, 4-1
In Starkville: Mississippi State leads, 4-0
Last Meeting: Mississippi State def. Stephen F. Austin, 2-1 (Feb. 11, 2018 in Starkville)
Current Streak: Mississippi State, +4
Against Valparaiso
Overall: First Meeting
In Starkville: First Meeting
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Current Streak: First Meeting
Bulldog Kickoff Classic History
Since the tournament's inception in 2013, MSU holds an 25-3 record in the Bulldog Kickoff Classic and has been crowned the tournament champion four times (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017).
Veterans Leading the Charge
MSU returns five position starts from the 2018 roster after losing Calyn Adams, Morgan Bell, Reggie Harrison and Carmen Carter. The pitching staff sees two Bulldogs returning, including junior Candace Denis and sophomore Emily Williams.
In the field, seniors Sarai Niu, Emily Heimberger, Kat Moore and Bevia Robinson return after starting at least 56 games each in 2018. The lineup is highlighted by preseason All-SEC selection Mia Davidson, who set MSU's single-season home run record last season.
Meet the Newcomers
Ten total Bulldogs could make their MSU debut over the weekend. Of the 10, seven are true freshmen. Composing the freshmen class is pitcher/utility player Kayla Boseman, pitcher Grace Fagan, outfielders Jamie Gregg, Chloe Malau'ulu, Chloe Morgan and Anna Kate Segars and catcher/third baseman Jackie McKenna. MSU boasts two transfers from Arizona State in utility player Fa Leilua and pitcher Alyssa Loza. Outfielder Christian Quinn, a transfer from Florida Southwestern College, rounds out the newcomers.
On Deck
Next weekend the Bulldog pack their passports and travel across the border to compete in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico over Feb. 14-16. It will be a tough early test for the Bulldogs as they face Southern Illinois, Central Florida, Sacramento State and #3/2 Washington, the 2018 WCWS runner-up, over the three-day slate. All four contests will be live streamed via FloSoftball.com.
Watch Live
Mississippi State's Friday doubleheader and Saturday's contest versus Valparaiso will be broadcasted on the SEC Network+ via WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app. The remaining broadcast schedule will be determined via seeding.
Mississippi State vs. Middle Tennessee
Mississippi State vs. Stephen F. Austin
Mississippi State vs. Valparaiso
Live Stats
Mississippi State will provide live stats for all 10 contests the weekend. Live stats can be accessed by visiting www.msu.statbroadcast.com.
Admission
All regular-season contests at Nusz Park are free admission
Promotions
Friday, Feb. 8 - vs. Middle Tennessee (3 p.m.); vs. Stephen F. Austin (5:30 p.m.)
- HOME OPENER
- FREE Admission
- GIVEAWAY: Vann Stuedeman Fat Heads (While Supplies Last)
- PROMOTION: FRIDAY BINGO!
- FREE Gift Cards & Prizes Throughout the Games
- Up to 225 Hail State Rewards Points Per Game
- 150 Bully's Kids Club Points Per Game
Saturday, Feb. 9 – vs. Valparaiso (12:30 p.m.); vs. TBD (3 or 5:30 p.m.)
- FREE Admission
- FREE Gift Cards & Prizes Throughout the Games
- Up to 225 Hail State Rewards Points Per Game
- 150 Bully's Kids Club Points Per Game
Sunday, Feb. 10 – vs. TBD (11 or 1:30 p.m.)
- FREE Admission
- FREE Gift Cards & Prizes Throughout the Games
- Up to 225 Hail State Rewards Points Per Game
- 150 Bully's Kids Club Points Per Game
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
INF/C
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P/UT
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C/INF
/ Softball
P/UT
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C/3B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
OF/1B
/ Softball
P
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