2021 Position Previews: Thunder and Lightning

STARKVILLE - Mississippi State softball's all-time home run leader Mia Davidson will enter 2021 just 16 homers away from breaking All-American Rafael Palmeiro's career record for home runs on the baseball field. Davidson is also 20 home runs away from breaking the SEC career record of 71 set by Lauren Haegar (Florida, 2012-15).

In addition to the Bulldog's career record, Davidson already holds State's freshman record and the SEC single-season record after launching 26 long balls in 2019. Catching Palmeiro and Haegar is suddenly a very real possibility in 2021, but Davidson is trying not to think about it.

"I just try to think about having great at-bats with the team," she said. "Just making sure that I move runners and score them. Not necessarily about the record."

Palmeiro's Diamond Dawg career spanned 183 games and saw him hit 67 home runs. Davidson's 2021 record chase begins with her boasting 52 home runs in just 146 games.

"She just needs to not change anything," Palmeiro said. "The one advice that I'd give her is not to worry about any kind of record, not worry about any type of totals. The numbers will be there because that's just who she is. She's going to hit home runs without trying."

Davidson is just one half of the duo, however. She credits a lot of her growth to her teammate and close friend Fa Leilua.

"We kind of actually learn a lot from each other from hitting because we are two completely different hitters, but we're very successful which is pretty cool," said Davidson.

Palmeiro began to take notice during Davidson's sophomore season back in 2019. He saw the way she and Leilua were piling up home runs and was reminded of himself and fellow Diamond Dawg Will Clark.

Davidson and Leilua are two of 12 student-athletes nationally to enter the year with 50 or more career homers. The pair join Jessie Harper and Alyssa Palomino at Arizona as the only teammates to enter the year with 50 or more home runs.

The New Thunder and Lighting will take the field again when Mississippi State opens the 2021 season hosting 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. Attendance guidelines and COVID-19 policies will be announced prior to the team's first game.

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

Mississippi State University Athletics

2021 Position Previews: Thunder and Lightning

Related News

Players Mentioned

Mia Davidson

Fa Leilua

Related Videos