Davidson Sparks Late Rally in 6-3 Win Against Central Arkansas

Wednesday, February 26

Starkville

4:00 PM

Mississippi State

13-3

Central Arkansas

11-6

Central Arkansas

Mississippi State

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Davidson Sparks Late Rally in 6-3 Win Against Central Arkansas

February 26, 2020 | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

by Brian Ogden, Assistant Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – After falling behind by two runs, Mississippi State's softball team rallied for its fourth come-from-behind victory of the year with a 6-3 win against Central Arkansas on Wednesday night.

In the third, the Bulldogs surrendered a pair of two-out doubles and committed an error to allow the first runs to score. MSU then rallied to claim its first win of the year after trailing by more than one run.

"We definitely got off to a slow start," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "I really liked the way the team responded, in particular Mia Davidson. Even before she got the big hits, you could tell they were coming because of the way she was talking and leading and bringing the girls in telling them that there's no need to press. I really liked everything she was doing on and off the field for us there. It's good for us to have challenges like this, especially midweek, to see how we bounce back and how resilient we can be."

The Bulldogs clawed back into the game following a leadoff triple from Davidson who would eventually score on a ground out. In the fifth, Madisyn Kennedy drew a leadoff walk, and Chloe Malau'ulu immediately advanced her to second with a base hit. The runners were moved over on a sacrifice bunt and came home when the Bears' second baseman made an error on what would have been the final out of the inning.

MSU never trailed again in the contest thanks to a resilient effort in the circle from Annie Willis. After allowing her first two batters to reach and score in the third, Willis struck out the side in both the fourth and the sixth before giving way to Emily Williams who earned her fourth save of the year.

Quick Hitters

Mia Davidson – Went 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple and an RBI … Game marked her fourth multi-hit outing this year … Drove in the game-winning run in the fifth.

Madisyn Kennedy – Scored twice, including the tying run from second on a ball that deflected off the second baseman.

Chloe Malau'ulu – Turned in 2-for-3 effort at the plate with an RBI for her second career multi-hit contest.

Jackie McKenna – Pinch hit with an RBI single … Is now 3-for-4 as a pinch hitter this year … As a team, MSU's pinch hitters are 7-for-9 on the year.

Annie Willis – Struck out the side twice on her way to a seven-strikeout victory.

Scoring Recap

Top 3
With two outs, Mary Kate Brown doubled to left center and was directly brought home by Kaylyn Shepherd's double into right field. Cylia Hill reached first on an error by Mississippi State shortstop allowing Shepherd to score from second.
Central Arkansas 2, Mississippi State 0

Bottom 4
Mia Davidson hit a deep ball to right center field and legged out a triple. After a fly out, Carter Spexarth grounded out shortstop, bringing Davidson home.
Central Arkansas 2, Mississippi State 1

Bottom 5
Madisyn Kennedy drew a leadoff walk followed by a single from Chloe Malau'ulu. A sacrifice bunt from Lindsey Williams advanced Malau'ulu to second and Kennedy to third. After a pop out, Candace Denis reached first on an error, bringing Malau'ulu and Kennedy home. Denis stole second base before Mia Davidson singled through the left side to bring her home.
Central Arkansas 2, Mississippi State 4

Bottom 6
Christian Quinn reached first on an error. Madisyn Kennedy singled down the third base line, and Quinn advanced to second. With two outs, Chloe Malau'ulu fired a single into right center field allowing Kennedy to advance to third and Quinn to score. Jackie McKenna, pinch hit, driving an RBI single through the right-side to score Kennedy.
Central Arkansas 2, Mississippi State 6

Top 7
Down to the Bears final out, Kaylyn Shepherd homered to deep right field.
Central Arkansas 3, Mississippi State 6

On Deck

MSU remains home to host The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament on Feb. 29 - March 1. State will welcome UAB, Alcorn State and UT Martin for three days of round robin play.

"Playing that tournament this weekend is going to be more of a celebration," Ricketts said. "We want to make sure we continue to remember her. With some of her former teammates at UAB and some other opponents coming in, we want to make sure we do a good job of continuing to remember in Alex's honor, but also celebrate her life and everything she stood for.

Follow the Bulldogs

For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."