Bernardini Brings Pure Power To State
December 06, 2021 | Softball
STARKVILLE – Morgan Bernardini, a four-year letterwinner at Elverado High School, signed with Mississippi State softball last month.
The Elkville, Illinois, native is a utility player known for her power at the plate.
"Morgan is a pure hitter and stood out to us with her tape-measure shots and composure at the plate," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "She is a true utility player that can move around, and I am looking forward to her getting on campus and getting to work in the weight room and the cages to see how she takes her offensive approach to new heights."
Bernardini helped Elverado High win two conference titles and a regional crown. As a freshman, she posted an impressive .402 batting average and .490 on-base percentage. Her sophomore year was cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
That didn't slow her down, however. Bernardini returned to lead the state with 65 runs scored as a junior while hitting for a .653 average with 10 home runs. Her on-base percentage improved to .726 that year as well.
"Morgan is a pure hitter that can change a game with a swing," assistant coach Josh Johnson said. "She has played multiple positions for her club team and has intangibles that can't be measured. She has the upside to be a monster at our level and with the help of Coach Ricketts, I think she will get there."
Bernardini played travel ball with the Illinois Force, winning the ASA/USA Softball Class A 12U National Championship in 2017. She also earned high honor roll selections in every year of her high school career.
"I chose MSU not only because of the beautiful campus but because there is such a small town feel at a big SEC school," Bernardini said. "I knew it was a perfect fit."
Mississippi State softball signed six student-athletes on National Signing Day on Nov. 10. State's class was ranked No. 17 by Extra Innings Softball, the highest-ranked class under Ricketts. Five of the six signees were ranked among the nation's top 100 players. The Bulldogs will continue to release an in-depth look at each signee throughout the month of December.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
The Elkville, Illinois, native is a utility player known for her power at the plate.
"Morgan is a pure hitter and stood out to us with her tape-measure shots and composure at the plate," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "She is a true utility player that can move around, and I am looking forward to her getting on campus and getting to work in the weight room and the cages to see how she takes her offensive approach to new heights."
Bernardini helped Elverado High win two conference titles and a regional crown. As a freshman, she posted an impressive .402 batting average and .490 on-base percentage. Her sophomore year was cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
That didn't slow her down, however. Bernardini returned to lead the state with 65 runs scored as a junior while hitting for a .653 average with 10 home runs. Her on-base percentage improved to .726 that year as well.
"Morgan is a pure hitter that can change a game with a swing," assistant coach Josh Johnson said. "She has played multiple positions for her club team and has intangibles that can't be measured. She has the upside to be a monster at our level and with the help of Coach Ricketts, I think she will get there."
Bernardini played travel ball with the Illinois Force, winning the ASA/USA Softball Class A 12U National Championship in 2017. She also earned high honor roll selections in every year of her high school career.
"I chose MSU not only because of the beautiful campus but because there is such a small town feel at a big SEC school," Bernardini said. "I knew it was a perfect fit."
Mississippi State softball signed six student-athletes on National Signing Day on Nov. 10. State's class was ranked No. 17 by Extra Innings Softball, the highest-ranked class under Ricketts. Five of the six signees were ranked among the nation's top 100 players. The Bulldogs will continue to release an in-depth look at each signee throughout the month of December.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
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