Davidson, Leilua Earn Softball America Preseason Recognition
January 28, 2020 | Softball
by Brian Ogden, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's "Thunder and Lightning" duo of Mia Davidson and Fa Leilua have been named Preseason All-Americans by Softball America.
Davidson earned first team honors at the catcher position, while Leilua is one of three outfielders on the second team. Both players were also included on the publication's Top 100 Players list. MSU is one of just two SEC programs with multiple players among the Top 50.
Davidson, the No. 15 player in the nation, is 10th among active players with 45 home runs entering her junior campaign. She led State in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, hits, runs, RBIs and total bases in 2019. The Hillsborough, North Carolina, native was an NFCA Third Team All-American and a top-10 finalist for USA Softball's Collegiate Player of the Year.
Leilua is 13th among active players with 41 career blasts and checks in at No. 29 on Softball America's list. In her first year at MSU, Leilua earned Second Team All-American honors from both Softball America and the NFCA. She tied for the team lead with 19 multi-hit games and hit 22 home runs, second only to Davidson. Leilua led all SEC designated players with eight home runs and a .387 average in league play.
The Bulldogs open the season on Feb. 7 against Missouri State in the NFCA Leadoff Classic at 11 a.m. CT. State will follow that contest with an exhibition against Team USA that evening at 5 p.m. State's home opener is set for Feb. 12 against Alabama State at 4 p.m.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's "Thunder and Lightning" duo of Mia Davidson and Fa Leilua have been named Preseason All-Americans by Softball America.
Davidson earned first team honors at the catcher position, while Leilua is one of three outfielders on the second team. Both players were also included on the publication's Top 100 Players list. MSU is one of just two SEC programs with multiple players among the Top 50.
Davidson, the No. 15 player in the nation, is 10th among active players with 45 home runs entering her junior campaign. She led State in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, hits, runs, RBIs and total bases in 2019. The Hillsborough, North Carolina, native was an NFCA Third Team All-American and a top-10 finalist for USA Softball's Collegiate Player of the Year.
Leilua is 13th among active players with 41 career blasts and checks in at No. 29 on Softball America's list. In her first year at MSU, Leilua earned Second Team All-American honors from both Softball America and the NFCA. She tied for the team lead with 19 multi-hit games and hit 22 home runs, second only to Davidson. Leilua led all SEC designated players with eight home runs and a .387 average in league play.
The Bulldogs open the season on Feb. 7 against Missouri State in the NFCA Leadoff Classic at 11 a.m. CT. State will follow that contest with an exhibition against Team USA that evening at 5 p.m. State's home opener is set for Feb. 12 against Alabama State at 4 p.m.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Players Mentioned
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