Friday, February 7
Clearwater, Fla.
11:00 AM
Mississippi State
1-0
5
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0
Missouri State
0-1
1
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3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Mississippi State
0
1
4
0
0
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5
10
0
Missouri State
0
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0
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0
0
3
1
Ricketts Era Begins with Shutout Victory in NFCA Leadoff Classic
February 07, 2020 | Softball
by Brian Ogden, Assistant Director/Communications
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Samantha Ricketts rang in the 2020 season with her first career coaching victory as Mississippi State (NR/RV) downed Missouri State, 5-0, on Opening Day in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Bulldogs then closed the day with an exhibition game against the U.S. Olympic Team that will compete in Tokyo this summer, dropping a 4-0 contest.
The victory marked the seventh consecutive season that State started a season 1-0 and their sixth Opening Day shutout in that span.
"Getting my first career coaching victory today was really special, especially to be able do it with this group of young women and the staff that we have," Ricketts said. "I thought that we came out and really played great all the way around, pitching, defense, timely hitting, really smart on the bases as well. To get that first win in such a solid outing and a team effort was a lot of fun. It's something I can look back on and be proud of."
Chloe Malau'ulu opened the scoring when her first career hit sailed over the centerfield fence for a two-out solo home run in the top of the second. In the third, MSU plated four runs to take control of the game. In the circle, Annie Willis made her MSU debut and set down nine consecutive batters across the bottom of the second, third and fourth innings while striking out five straight.
In the nightcap, Team USA scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the second and fourth innings and held the Bulldogs hitless through four innings to cruise to a 4-0 victory as they prepare for the Olympic Games. Carter Spexarth snapped Monica Abbott's perfect game, that up to that point had seen her strikeout nine, with a leadoff double in the top of the fifth. State nearly scored off the next play when Malau'ulu singled to left field, but pinch runner Brylie St. Clair was cut down at the plate.
"I thought the experience we had playing against Team USA was really rewarding," Ricketts added. "To be able to help the best softball players in the world prepare for the game on the biggest stage is special and something not everyone gets to do. We were a little nervous early on, but we answered back, made some good adjustments and had some really good swings off of elite pitching. I think it gave us a lot of confidence going forward knowing that if we can compete with that team, we'll have a good year competing all around."
State totaled 13 hits over the two games, while the Bulldog pitchers struck out 12 batters over 13.0 innings of work. MSU walked just three batters and committed no errors on the day.
The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday with two more games. First pitch against Liberty (NR/RV) is set for 11:30 a.m. CT and the second game of the day against Louisville (RV/RV) begins at 2 p.m. The Flames lost both of their games on Friday, while the Cardinals went 1-1 with a victory against SEC-foe Ole Miss (21/25)
Carter Spexarth – Drove in State's final run of the day to cap a 2-for-3 performance in the season opener … Followed that with another 2-for-3 outing against Team USA, including a double off Abbott … Tied with Malau'ulu for the team lead with five total bases on Friday.
Candace Denis – Turned in a 2-for-4 performance with a double and a run scored in the season opener.
Annie Willis – Went 5.0 innings as the Opening Day starter, striking out seven while walking just one … Allowed three hits and one walk while facing 18 batters.
Fresh Arms – Two of State's freshmen pitchers faced elite hitters in the exhibition against Team USA. Kenley Hawk threw two innings, while Aspen Wesley went one inning and registered a strikeout.
Chloe Malau'ulu got the scoring started with a two-out, solo homer to centerfield. It was also the sophomore's first career hit.
Mississippi State 1, Missouri State 0
Top 3
The Bulldogs put the Bears away with a four-run frame. Christian Quinn led off with a single up the middle. She advanced to third when Candace Denis drove a ball to center that hopped over the fence for a ground-rule double. After a Mia Davidson walk, Fa Leilua laced a two-run double to centerfield. Davidson would then beat a throw home to score on Carter Spexarth's single to the first baseman.
Mississippi State 5, Missouri State 0
Taylor Edwards drew a leadoff walk and the Bulldogs recorded a strikeout before Haylie McCleney doubled to left to bring Edwards home. On the next pitch, Ali Aguilar also sent a ball down the left field line for a run and two-bases.
Mississippi State 0, Team USA 2
Bottom 5
Edwards led off the inning with a first-pitch, solo home run to left field. Janie Reed took the next pitch back up the middle for a single. Reed stole second and was later driven in by an Aguilar single before a double play ended the inning.
Mississippi State 0, Team USA 4
Mississippi State vs. Missouri State – W, 5-0
Mississippi State vs. Team USA (Exh.) – L, 0-4
Saturday, Feb. 8
Liberty vs. Mississippi State – 11:30 a.m. CT
Louisville vs. Mississippi State – 2 p.m. CT
Sunday, Feb. 9
Mississippi State vs. NC State – 11 a.m. CT
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Samantha Ricketts rang in the 2020 season with her first career coaching victory as Mississippi State (NR/RV) downed Missouri State, 5-0, on Opening Day in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Bulldogs then closed the day with an exhibition game against the U.S. Olympic Team that will compete in Tokyo this summer, dropping a 4-0 contest.
The victory marked the seventh consecutive season that State started a season 1-0 and their sixth Opening Day shutout in that span.
"Getting my first career coaching victory today was really special, especially to be able do it with this group of young women and the staff that we have," Ricketts said. "I thought that we came out and really played great all the way around, pitching, defense, timely hitting, really smart on the bases as well. To get that first win in such a solid outing and a team effort was a lot of fun. It's something I can look back on and be proud of."
Chloe Malau'ulu opened the scoring when her first career hit sailed over the centerfield fence for a two-out solo home run in the top of the second. In the third, MSU plated four runs to take control of the game. In the circle, Annie Willis made her MSU debut and set down nine consecutive batters across the bottom of the second, third and fourth innings while striking out five straight.
In the nightcap, Team USA scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the second and fourth innings and held the Bulldogs hitless through four innings to cruise to a 4-0 victory as they prepare for the Olympic Games. Carter Spexarth snapped Monica Abbott's perfect game, that up to that point had seen her strikeout nine, with a leadoff double in the top of the fifth. State nearly scored off the next play when Malau'ulu singled to left field, but pinch runner Brylie St. Clair was cut down at the plate.
"I thought the experience we had playing against Team USA was really rewarding," Ricketts added. "To be able to help the best softball players in the world prepare for the game on the biggest stage is special and something not everyone gets to do. We were a little nervous early on, but we answered back, made some good adjustments and had some really good swings off of elite pitching. I think it gave us a lot of confidence going forward knowing that if we can compete with that team, we'll have a good year competing all around."
State totaled 13 hits over the two games, while the Bulldog pitchers struck out 12 batters over 13.0 innings of work. MSU walked just three batters and committed no errors on the day.
The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday with two more games. First pitch against Liberty (NR/RV) is set for 11:30 a.m. CT and the second game of the day against Louisville (RV/RV) begins at 2 p.m. The Flames lost both of their games on Friday, while the Cardinals went 1-1 with a victory against SEC-foe Ole Miss (21/25)
Quick Hitters
Chloe Malau'ulu – Made the third start of her career and belted a home run for her first career hit in her first at-bat of the season (eighth of her career) … Later was one of two Bulldogs with a hit against Team USA, recording a single against American legend Monica Abbott in the evening's exhibition.Carter Spexarth – Drove in State's final run of the day to cap a 2-for-3 performance in the season opener … Followed that with another 2-for-3 outing against Team USA, including a double off Abbott … Tied with Malau'ulu for the team lead with five total bases on Friday.
Candace Denis – Turned in a 2-for-4 performance with a double and a run scored in the season opener.
Annie Willis – Went 5.0 innings as the Opening Day starter, striking out seven while walking just one … Allowed three hits and one walk while facing 18 batters.
Fresh Arms – Two of State's freshmen pitchers faced elite hitters in the exhibition against Team USA. Kenley Hawk threw two innings, while Aspen Wesley went one inning and registered a strikeout.
vs. Missouri State Scoring Recap
Top 2Chloe Malau'ulu got the scoring started with a two-out, solo homer to centerfield. It was also the sophomore's first career hit.
Mississippi State 1, Missouri State 0
Top 3
The Bulldogs put the Bears away with a four-run frame. Christian Quinn led off with a single up the middle. She advanced to third when Candace Denis drove a ball to center that hopped over the fence for a ground-rule double. After a Mia Davidson walk, Fa Leilua laced a two-run double to centerfield. Davidson would then beat a throw home to score on Carter Spexarth's single to the first baseman.
Mississippi State 5, Missouri State 0
vs. Team USA Scoring Recap
Bottom 3Taylor Edwards drew a leadoff walk and the Bulldogs recorded a strikeout before Haylie McCleney doubled to left to bring Edwards home. On the next pitch, Ali Aguilar also sent a ball down the left field line for a run and two-bases.
Mississippi State 0, Team USA 2
Bottom 5
Edwards led off the inning with a first-pitch, solo home run to left field. Janie Reed took the next pitch back up the middle for a single. Reed stole second and was later driven in by an Aguilar single before a double play ended the inning.
Mississippi State 0, Team USA 4
NFCA Leadoff Classic Schedule/Results
Friday, Feb. 7 Mississippi State vs. Missouri State – W, 5-0
Mississippi State vs. Team USA (Exh.) – L, 0-4
Saturday, Feb. 8
Liberty vs. Mississippi State – 11:30 a.m. CT
Louisville vs. Mississippi State – 2 p.m. CT
Sunday, Feb. 9
Mississippi State vs. NC State – 11 a.m. CT
On Deck
MSU returns to Starkville for its home opener at Nusz Park on Feb. 12 against Alabama State. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. with free T-shirts and koozies available on the outfield deck.Follow the Bulldogs
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Willis, Annie (1-0)
L: Erin Griesbauer (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Denis, Candace 1 ; Leilua, Fa 1
HR: Malau'ulu, Chloe 1
RBI: Leilua, Fa 2 ; Spexarth, Carter 1 ; Davidson, Montana 1 ; Malau'ulu, Chloe 1
SF: Davidson, Montana 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Denis, Candace 1 ; Davidson, Mia 1 ; Leilua, Fa 1 ; Malau'ulu, Chloe 1 ; Quinn, Christian 1
Base Running:
CS: Daphne Plummer 1
Game Leaders
lf/dp
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
C/INF
/ SoftballP/UTL
/ Softball
P/OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
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