Seven Home Runs Power Mississippi State To Saturday Sweep

Saturday, April 3

Florence, Ala.

1:00 PM

Mississippi State

17-14

North Alabama

17-10

Mississippi State

North Alabama

Seven Home Runs Power Mississippi State To Saturday Sweep

April 03, 2021 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 Box Score (PDF)Game 2 Box Score (PDF)

By: Brian Ogden, Assistant Director/Communications

FLORENCE, Ala. – Mississippi State swept North Alabama in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday, winning the games by scores of 9-7 and 9-1.

State played 14 innings in Florence, Alabama, but it took extra-innings and a run-rule victory to do so. MSU rallied for its largest comeback victory since 2004 in Game 1, battling back from a six-run deficit in the sixth inning. MSU exploded for a five-inning victory in Game 2.

"I thought the hitters really did a good job of sticking within their plan and, even the first time through the lineup, making her grind out at-bats and throw a lot of pitches," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "We went deeper into counts than we've been doing in the past. It was really good to see them locked in early in the game, and I think that paid off in late-game at-bats."

The Bulldogs hit a season-high four home runs in Game 1, which was tied for the second-most in a single game in program history. State added three more in Game 2 for seven on the day. Paige Cook hit a pair in Game 1, sparking a five-run sixth inning and tying the game in the seventh. Madisyn Kennedy hit a pair in Game 2 to put a combined four runs on the board in her first two at-bats. Mia Davidson, Fa Leilua and Carter Spexarth also homered.

MSU put up five runs in the sixth inning of Game 1 to cut the deficit to 7-6, before Cook tied the game. In the ninth, Kennedy drove in two runs to win the game.

State hung six runs on the board in the fourth inning of Game 2 thanks to Kennedy's three-run blast, a two-run double from Leilua and an RBI single from Jackie McKenna.

Quotables

Samantha Ricketts on MSU's comeback in Game 1:
"Mia Davidson called them in in the sixth inning huddle. She really kind of took over and said, 'Let's relax. We've been here before. This isn't anything we can't handle one pitch at a time. Get out there and scratch away.' I think her message was delivered really well, and they all bought in and took it as we're going to do this together. It was kind of the we over me, and I thought they really took it and ran with it from her."

Samantha Ricketts on the pitchers' performances:
"I thought Annie [Willis] did a great job, coming in in a tough situation with the bases loaded and getting the big strikeout there in relief. She was really being tough. That's what we've been asking for, just locking in, from Annie and everyone top to bottom. The plan was to have her start Game 2, but we knew a close game in Game 1, we needed to get her out there and mix up the looks a little bit. Emily [Williams] buckled down in the sixth too, once Mia called everyone it. It wasn't just the hitters. Emily had her best inning after that too. That's what we were looking for, that response."

Madisyn Kennedy on her day at the plate:
"It wasn't a forced day. I just kind of let it happen and played softball. Whatever happens happens and you just have to go with it. That's my thoughts on the whole day. It was a good day, but no different from any other day. I knew it felt really good off the bat, so I was like, 'Okay, have fun. I got a hit.'"

Madisyn Kennedy on her game-winning RBIs in Game 1:
"That was really exciting to get up 9-7 and to see that happen. I'm glad Paige [Cook] scored from second. When she scored, I was like, 'Yeah, we got this.'"

Quick Hitters

Never Count Out The Dawgs – State recorded it's largest comeback victory since erasing a six-run deficit against Alabama in an 8-6 victory on April 9, 2004 … It marked MSU's fifth and largest comeback of the year … Four of those have come after trailing at the end of the fifth inning.

Sweet Sixths – The sixth inning continues to be MSU's favorite inning, producing its highest batting average and slugging percentage of any frame … State hit two home runs and scored five runs in the sixth of Game 1 … MSU has now outscored opponents, 29-2, in the sixth inning … It was MSU's seventh inning scoring five or more runs in 2021 … MSU later batted around in the fourth inning of Game 2 and scored six runs.

Paige Cook – Homered twice in Game 1 for her first career multi-homer game … Second home run tied the game in the top of the seventh … Now tied for the team lead with eight multi-hit games this year … Added a double in Game 2 … Went 3-for-7 on the day with 10 total bases.

Mia Davidson – Tied Will Clark for second in MSU baseball and softball history with her 61^st career home run in Game 1 … Homer also moved her into a tie for sixth in SEC softball history … Drew a key two-out walk to set up Leilua's grand slam … Drew two walks in Game 2.

Madisyn Kennedy – Hit a pair of homers in first two at-bats of Game 2 for her career first multi-homer game … Collected a career-high four RBIs … Went 4-for-8 on the day with 10 total bases.

Fa Leilua – Hit her third career grand slam in Game 1 to tie Morgan Bell and Jessica Cooley for the MSU career record … Blast was the 60^th of her career … Doubled home two runs in Game 2.

Jackie McKenna – Registered her fourth career multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a double in Game 1 … Walked and singled to drive in a run in Game 2 … Finished 3-for-7 on the day.

Emily Williams – Struck out seven in 4.0 innings of relief work in Game 1.

Annie Willis – Earned the win in relief in Game 1 … Came on with two on and one out in the sixth and struck out a pair to end the frame … Threw three innings of one-run ball in a Game 2 start.

Game 1 Scoring Recap

Bottom 1
With two outs, Sidney Bevis singled. Harley Stokes was hit by a pitch to put two runners on. Emma Broadfoot tripled down the right-field line to score both runners.
Mississippi State 0, North Alabama 2

Top 3
Mia Davidson hit a leadoff home run.
Mississippi State 1, North Alabama 2

Bottom 3
Katie Killen hit a one-out single followed by a single from Bevis. Following a strikeout, Broadfoot hit a three-run home run to center field.
Mississippi State 1, North Alabama 5

Bottom 5
With one out, Bevis walked. Following a strikeout, Broadfoot hit a second two-out home run.
Mississippi State 1, North Alabama 7

Top 6
Paige Cook led off with a home run to left field. Jackie McKenna singled, and Christian Quinn pinch ran at first. Quinn was retired at second when Madisyn Kennedy hit into a fielder's choice. Montana Davidson and Mia Davidson drew walks to load the bases. With two outs, Fa Leilua hit a grand slam.
Mississippi State 6, North Alabama 7

Top 7
With one out, Cook hit her second homer of the day to left field.
Mississippi State 7, North Alabama 7

Top 9
Spexarth led off with a walk. Following a strikeout, she took second on a wild pitch. Cook walked to put two runners on. McKenna grounded out to first to advance the runners. Kennedy singled up the middle to plate both runners.
Mississippi State 9, North Alabama 7

Game 2 Scoring Recap

Top 1
Chloe Malau'ulu was hit by a pitch to open the ballgame. She then stole second. With two outs, Carter Spexarth hit a two-run homer.
Mississippi State 2, North Alabama 0

Top 2
Madisyn Kennedy hit a two-out home run off the scoreboard.
Mississippi State 3, North Alabama 0

Bottom 2
Harley Stokes hit a home run with one out.
Mississippi State 3, North Alabama 1

Top 4
Paige Cook hit a leadoff double, and Jackie McKenna walked. Brylie St. Clair grounded out to advance the runners. Kennedy hit her second homer of the game. Montana Davidson reached on a throwing error. Malau'ulu doubled to the base of the right-field foul pole, pushing Montana Davidson to third. Following a strikeout, Fa Leilua hit a two-run double. Spexarth was then hit by a pitch and Cook and reached on a fielder's choice when an error allowed all runners to be safe. McKenna hit a bases-loaded single to score Leilua from third.
Mississippi State 9, North Alabama 1

On Deck

The Bulldogs are set to make up an early season rainout on Monday, April 7. State will travel to Hammond, Louisiana, to meet Southeastern Louisiana at 4 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

Follow the Bulldogs

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