Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
2021 Position Previews: Outfield
February 10, 2021 | Softball
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State begins the 2021 softball season on Saturday, so it's time to break down the Bulldogs' final position group: the outfielders. State's options at designated player are also included this final preview.
MSU returns four of the five student-athletes who started on the grass in 2021, with Candace Denis the lone senior to have moved on. The position battle begins with those four.
Segars and Quinn are the presumptive choices, given their starts last spring. Segars' bat will find a way into the lineup. She hit .345 with a .545 slugging percentage in 2020, and she's not a liability defensively. The junior turned in a perfect fielding percentage last year and boasts a plus arm from the outfield.
Quinn hit out of the nine spot in the order in 2020, but provides a speedy option. She's also produced multiple highlight-reel catches at the wall in her career.
St. Clair's lone career start came in left. She batted .417 (5-for-12) in her freshman campaign, but also reached on error three more times. The sophomore isn't limited to slapping, and she proved that with a .667 slugging percentage. The speed was also on display as she is the team's returning leader in stolen bases.
If Malau'ulu moves to another spot in the outfield or serves as the designated player, Quinn and St. Clair could replace her in right.
Florian is a graduate transfer from Duke who was a highly-decorated high school player, but she has not played collegiately.
Ricketts could also use the DP slot to give other student-athletes a partial day off as she did with Mia Davidson six times last year.
Mississippi State opens the 2021 season as the No. 20/22 team in the nation and will host Miami (Ohio) at Nusz Park for a three-game series on Feb. 13-14. The first game of the Opening Day double-header is set for 12 p.m. CT.
Nusz Park's capacity will be limited to a maximum of 25 percent of available seats, with socially-distanced seating available in two- and four-seat pods. Complete fan attendance guidelines can be found at www.HailState.com/gameday.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
MSU returns four of the five student-athletes who started on the grass in 2021, with Candace Denis the lone senior to have moved on. The position battle begins with those four.
Center Field
All four returning starters could stake a claim to center field. Anna Kate Segars started 20 games there a year ago, and Christian Quinn took the position in the remaining eight contests. Brylie St. Clair only started one contest, playing in left field last spring, but she is a natural center fielder as well. Chloe Malau'ulu spent two-thirds of her time in right field in 2020, but she too roamed center in high school and travel ball.Segars and Quinn are the presumptive choices, given their starts last spring. Segars' bat will find a way into the lineup. She hit .345 with a .545 slugging percentage in 2020, and she's not a liability defensively. The junior turned in a perfect fielding percentage last year and boasts a plus arm from the outfield.
Quinn hit out of the nine spot in the order in 2020, but provides a speedy option. She's also produced multiple highlight-reel catches at the wall in her career.
Left Field
Either Quinn or Segars could slide over to left field, giving MSU a solid defense with above-average fielders patrolling two-thirds of the park. This is also a good time to mention St. Clair who has forced her way into the conversation with her play this fall.St. Clair's lone career start came in left. She batted .417 (5-for-12) in her freshman campaign, but also reached on error three more times. The sophomore isn't limited to slapping, and she proved that with a .667 slugging percentage. The speed was also on display as she is the team's returning leader in stolen bases.
Right Field
This would seem to be Malau'ulu's home. The junior made 18 of her 27 starts in right last year, while showing an improved bat. Malau'ulu hit .342 with a .548 slugging percentage and three homers. She also made just one error in 36 chances.If Malau'ulu moves to another spot in the outfield or serves as the designated player, Quinn and St. Clair could replace her in right.
Next Off The Bench
Behind these four, head coach Samantha Ricketts will have Kiki Edwards and Allison Florian as available options. Edwards made one start in her freshman campaign, but it came as the designated player. She has one career putout in the outfield on her only fielding chance.Florian is a graduate transfer from Duke who was a highly-decorated high school player, but she has not played collegiately.
Designated Player
Carter Spexarth is the first choice. In 18 starts last spring, the senior batted .386 with a 20 RBIs, four home runs and a .649 slugging percentage. For the year, she batted .379 and was one of six Bulldogs with 20-plus hits. In her junior season, Spexarth drove in multiple runs four times and had seven multi-hit games.Ricketts could also use the DP slot to give other student-athletes a partial day off as she did with Mia Davidson six times last year.
Mississippi State opens the 2021 season as the No. 20/22 team in the nation and will host Miami (Ohio) at Nusz Park for a three-game series on Feb. 13-14. The first game of the Opening Day double-header is set for 12 p.m. CT.
Nusz Park's capacity will be limited to a maximum of 25 percent of available seats, with socially-distanced seating available in two- and four-seat pods. Complete fan attendance guidelines can be found at www.HailState.com/gameday.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Players Mentioned
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