Saturday, February 29
Starkville
3:00 PM
Mississippi State
15-3
5
vs
0
UAB
9-10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
UAB
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
Mississippi State
1
0
2
1
1
0
X
5
8
1
Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Williams, Leilua Lead State to Saturday Sweep
February 29, 2020 | Softball
by Brian Ogden, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Pitching did the job in game one, and the bats came alive in game two as Mississippi State's softball team swept its double header on Saturday at The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial tournament.
The Bulldogs (16-3) defeated UAB, 5-0, behind a complete game shutout from Emily Williams before posting an 8-1 victory against Alcorn State in the nightcap.
Williams struck out eight batters while allowing just two hits. It was her 11th career complete game with two or fewer earned runs. Candace Denis posted a two-hit outing with a pair of doubles, giving her four doubles against the Blazers over the past two days. Chloe Malau'ulu was hit by two pitches and singled to reach base in every plate appearance.
In the nightcap, head coach Samantha Ricketts made the most of her bench. Kiki Edwards made her first career start, playing as the designated player, while Mia Davidson made her first start of the year at third base. She eventually moved across the diamond to first base for her first career innings at that position.
Paige Cook, Brylie St. Clair, Montana Davidson, Anna Kate Segars, Aquana Brownlee and Celeste Soliz all got plate appearances off the bench. All but Montana Davidson reached base at least once.
"We preach that a lot, about them being ready for their opportunity," Ricketts said. "We are asking for the girls to be taking mental at bats which means they are staying with the hitters that are in the lineup. That way they feel like they have been in the box the whole game as well – especially with the freshmen who are learning – and just really making sure they are ready for their opportunity."
Segars' at-bat was the loudest as she homered to right center field for the first long ball of her career.
Fa Leilua had a perfect night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a two-run homer and adding a walk before being replaced in the sixth inning. She also scored three of State's eight runs.
The Bulldogs meet the Braves (5-18) again at 12:30 p.m. CT on Sunday before playing UT Martin (12-7) in the final game of the tournament at 3 p.m.
Candace Denis – Doubled twice against UAB to total four extra base hits against the Blazers over the past two days … Stepped into the circle for the first time this year, facing four batters and striking out one, against Alcorn State.
Mia Davidson – Caught a runner stealing for the fourth time this year against UAB … Has now hit safely in eight consecutive games, the longest stretch by a Bulldog this year.
Madisyn Kennedy – Has hit safely in seven straight games and reached base in eight … Drove in two runs against Alcorn State.
Fa Leilua – Went 3-for-3 with two singles, a two-run home run and a walk against Alcorn State.
Chloe Malau'ulu – Reached base in all but one plate appearance over the two games … Has gone 6-for-7 (.857) in the tournament with a 1.286 slugging percentage, both of which lead MSU.
Jackie McKenna – Picked off her third runner of the year, which leads the SEC.
Anna Kate Segars – Hit her first career home run against Alcorn State … Has now reached base safely in 11 consecutive games, the longest such streak by a Bulldog this year.
Carter Spexarth – Turned in a two-hit performance against UAB.
Emily Williams – Threw her first complete game of the year against UAB, striking out eight while allowing two hits in a shutout.
Candace Denis was hit by a pitch to lead. Denis stole second base then advanced to third when Fa Leilua grounded out. Carter Spexarth singled to right field, scoring Denis.
UAB 0, Mississippi State 1
Bottom 3
Mia Davidson doubled down the left field line. Fa Leilua walked. Chloe Malau'ulu singled through the right side, scoring Davidson and advancing Leilua to third. Madisyn Kennedy reached on a fielder's choice, which brought Leilua home.
UAB 0. Mississippi State 3
Bottom 4
Montana Davidson walked. Candace Denis drove her home with a double to right field.
UAB 0, Mississippi State 4
Bottom 5
Carter Spexarth singled to right field, and Christian Quinn came on as pinch runner. Chloe Malau'ulu was hit by a pitch to put runners on second and third. Madisyn Kennedy singled up the middle to load the bases. Anna Kate Segars hit a sacrifice fly to left field, to score Quinn.
UAB 0, Mississippi State 5
Mia Davidson and Fa Leilua picked up back-to-back base hits. Chloe Malau'ulu singled to load the bases. Madisyn Kennedy walked, bringing home a run. Jackie McKenna also walked to score a run.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 2
Bottom 2
Christian Quinn was hit by a pitch then stole second. Mia Davidson flied out to right field, allowing Quinn to take third. Fa Leilua hit a two-run homer to left field.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 4
Bottom 3
Kiki Edwards reached on a fielder's choice, following Jackie McKenna's leadoff single. Lindsey Williams then walked to put runners on first and second. Paige Cook singled to right field, bringing home Edwards.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 5
Top 4
Amari Ramsey doubled to left field, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball.
Alcorn State 1, Mississippi State 5
Bottom 4
Fa Leilua walked and Chloe Malau'ulu was hit by a pitch. Madisyn Kennedy singled to center field, to bring Leilua home from second.
Alcorn State 1, Mississippi State 6
Bottom 5
Brylie St. Clair reached on a throwing error and then stole second. Fa Leilua singled into shallow right field, advancing St. Clair. Chloe Malau'ulu grounded out to third base, but brough St. Clair home.
Alcorn State 1, Mississippi State 7
Bottom 6
Anna Kate Segars hit a solo home run to right field.
Alcorn State 1, Mississippi State 8
UT Martin 9, Alcorn State 0
UAB 6, Alcorn State 0
Mississippi State 16, UAB 6
Saturday, Feb. 29
UT Martin 8, Alcorn State 2
UT Martin 3, UAB 2
Mississippi State 5, UAB 0
Mississippi State 8, Alcorn State 1
Sunday, Feb. 16
UAB vs. UT Martin – 10 a.m.
Alcorn State at Mississippi State – 12:30 p.m.
UT Martin at Mississippi State – 3 p.m.
This weekend features trivia at each MSU game of the tournament. Each individual trivia game winner will be entered to win a grand prize at the end of the season, with more wins earning contestants more entries. The Snowman's trivia will focus on various TV shows throughout the weekend.
The Deck will offer free hot chocolate throughout the weekend as well.
STARKVILLE – Pitching did the job in game one, and the bats came alive in game two as Mississippi State's softball team swept its double header on Saturday at The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial tournament.
The Bulldogs (16-3) defeated UAB, 5-0, behind a complete game shutout from Emily Williams before posting an 8-1 victory against Alcorn State in the nightcap.
Williams struck out eight batters while allowing just two hits. It was her 11th career complete game with two or fewer earned runs. Candace Denis posted a two-hit outing with a pair of doubles, giving her four doubles against the Blazers over the past two days. Chloe Malau'ulu was hit by two pitches and singled to reach base in every plate appearance.
In the nightcap, head coach Samantha Ricketts made the most of her bench. Kiki Edwards made her first career start, playing as the designated player, while Mia Davidson made her first start of the year at third base. She eventually moved across the diamond to first base for her first career innings at that position.
Paige Cook, Brylie St. Clair, Montana Davidson, Anna Kate Segars, Aquana Brownlee and Celeste Soliz all got plate appearances off the bench. All but Montana Davidson reached base at least once.
"We preach that a lot, about them being ready for their opportunity," Ricketts said. "We are asking for the girls to be taking mental at bats which means they are staying with the hitters that are in the lineup. That way they feel like they have been in the box the whole game as well – especially with the freshmen who are learning – and just really making sure they are ready for their opportunity."
Segars' at-bat was the loudest as she homered to right center field for the first long ball of her career.
Fa Leilua had a perfect night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a two-run homer and adding a walk before being replaced in the sixth inning. She also scored three of State's eight runs.
The Bulldogs meet the Braves (5-18) again at 12:30 p.m. CT on Sunday before playing UT Martin (12-7) in the final game of the tournament at 3 p.m.
Quick Hitters
On a Tear in the Tournament – The Bulldogs are hitting .427 as a team in the tournament and slugging .707 … MSU has stolen seven bases and scored 29 runs in three games … On the defensive side, MSU has held opponents to a .194 batting average and caught two runners stealing.Candace Denis – Doubled twice against UAB to total four extra base hits against the Blazers over the past two days … Stepped into the circle for the first time this year, facing four batters and striking out one, against Alcorn State.
Mia Davidson – Caught a runner stealing for the fourth time this year against UAB … Has now hit safely in eight consecutive games, the longest stretch by a Bulldog this year.
Madisyn Kennedy – Has hit safely in seven straight games and reached base in eight … Drove in two runs against Alcorn State.
Fa Leilua – Went 3-for-3 with two singles, a two-run home run and a walk against Alcorn State.
Chloe Malau'ulu – Reached base in all but one plate appearance over the two games … Has gone 6-for-7 (.857) in the tournament with a 1.286 slugging percentage, both of which lead MSU.
Jackie McKenna – Picked off her third runner of the year, which leads the SEC.
Anna Kate Segars – Hit her first career home run against Alcorn State … Has now reached base safely in 11 consecutive games, the longest such streak by a Bulldog this year.
Carter Spexarth – Turned in a two-hit performance against UAB.
Emily Williams – Threw her first complete game of the year against UAB, striking out eight while allowing two hits in a shutout.
vs. UAB Scoring Recap
Bottom 1Candace Denis was hit by a pitch to lead. Denis stole second base then advanced to third when Fa Leilua grounded out. Carter Spexarth singled to right field, scoring Denis.
UAB 0, Mississippi State 1
Bottom 3
Mia Davidson doubled down the left field line. Fa Leilua walked. Chloe Malau'ulu singled through the right side, scoring Davidson and advancing Leilua to third. Madisyn Kennedy reached on a fielder's choice, which brought Leilua home.
UAB 0. Mississippi State 3
Bottom 4
Montana Davidson walked. Candace Denis drove her home with a double to right field.
UAB 0, Mississippi State 4
Bottom 5
Carter Spexarth singled to right field, and Christian Quinn came on as pinch runner. Chloe Malau'ulu was hit by a pitch to put runners on second and third. Madisyn Kennedy singled up the middle to load the bases. Anna Kate Segars hit a sacrifice fly to left field, to score Quinn.
UAB 0, Mississippi State 5
vs. Alcorn State Scoring Recap
Bottom 1Mia Davidson and Fa Leilua picked up back-to-back base hits. Chloe Malau'ulu singled to load the bases. Madisyn Kennedy walked, bringing home a run. Jackie McKenna also walked to score a run.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 2
Bottom 2
Christian Quinn was hit by a pitch then stole second. Mia Davidson flied out to right field, allowing Quinn to take third. Fa Leilua hit a two-run homer to left field.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 4
Bottom 3
Kiki Edwards reached on a fielder's choice, following Jackie McKenna's leadoff single. Lindsey Williams then walked to put runners on first and second. Paige Cook singled to right field, bringing home Edwards.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 5
Top 4
Amari Ramsey doubled to left field, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball.
Alcorn State 1, Mississippi State 5
Bottom 4
Fa Leilua walked and Chloe Malau'ulu was hit by a pitch. Madisyn Kennedy singled to center field, to bring Leilua home from second.
Alcorn State 1, Mississippi State 6
Bottom 5
Brylie St. Clair reached on a throwing error and then stole second. Fa Leilua singled into shallow right field, advancing St. Clair. Chloe Malau'ulu grounded out to third base, but brough St. Clair home.
Alcorn State 1, Mississippi State 7
Bottom 6
Anna Kate Segars hit a solo home run to right field.
Alcorn State 1, Mississippi State 8
The Snowman Schedule
Friday, Feb. 28UT Martin 9, Alcorn State 0
UAB 6, Alcorn State 0
Mississippi State 16, UAB 6
Saturday, Feb. 29
UT Martin 8, Alcorn State 2
UT Martin 3, UAB 2
Mississippi State 5, UAB 0
Mississippi State 8, Alcorn State 1
Sunday, Feb. 16
UAB vs. UT Martin – 10 a.m.
Alcorn State at Mississippi State – 12:30 p.m.
UT Martin at Mississippi State – 3 p.m.
Admission/Promotions
Admission to all MSU softball home games is free.This weekend features trivia at each MSU game of the tournament. Each individual trivia game winner will be entered to win a grand prize at the end of the season, with more wins earning contestants more entries. The Snowman's trivia will focus on various TV shows throughout the weekend.
The Deck will offer free hot chocolate throughout the weekend as well.
On Deck
The Bulldogs are in the midst of a 12-game homestand. The sixth game of that stretch comes on Tuesday when UT Martin remains in town for a midweek contest. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. CT.Follow the Bulldogs
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Williams, Emily (3-0)
L: COOK, J. (3-1)
Base Running:
CS: HEGH, Faith 1
HBP: STANCIL, D. 1
Batting:
2B: Denis, Candace 2 ; Davidson, Mia 1
RBI: Denis, Candace 1 ; Spexarth, Carter 1 ; Malau'ulu, Chloe 1 ; Kennedy, Madisyn 1 ; Segars, Anna Kate 1
SF: Segars, Anna Kate 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Denis, Candace 1 ; Davidson, Mia 1 ; Leilua, Fa 1 ; Quinn, Christian 1 ; Davidson, Montana 1
SB: Denis, Candace 1
HBP: Denis, Candace 1 ; Malau'ulu, Chloe 2
Game Leaders
lf/cf
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
1
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
INF/OF
/ Softball
3B/UTL
/ SoftballC/INF
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballP/UTL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
SS/3B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C/3B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF/1B
/ Softball
C/UTL
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
/ 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