State Sweeps Georgia To Extend Streak, Earns No. 9 Seed In SEC Tournament

Sunday, May 9

Starkville

1:00 PM

Mississippi State

32-22, 8-15

#22 Georgia

29-20, 7-17

Georgia

Mississippi State

State Sweeps Georgia To Extend Streak, Earns No. 9 Seed In SEC Tournament

May 09, 2021 | Softball

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By: Brian Ogden, Assistant Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's softball team is rolling. The Bulldogs claimed their seventh straight victory with a 4-3 win against No. 22 Georgia on Senior Day to sweep the series. With the win, State climbed into ninth place in the final SEC standings.

A three-run sacrifice fly with the help of a throwing error proved to be the difference on Sunday. With the bases-loaded and no outs, Mia Davidson lifted a ball into center field that was deep enough to score Chloe Malau'ulu from third. The throw was cutoff and relayed to third, but sailed over the third baseman's head allowing Fa Leilua to score from second and Brylie St. Clair to come home from first.

"You can't ask for a better senior weekend," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "I love that they all played a big part in the weekend. They mean so much for this program. All three of them came in, and didn't start here as freshman, all transferred in and bought into what we are doing. They have been leaders for us ever since they stepped on campus. It is really special to see them continue to grow within their time in this program. They have all grown in their confidence in their softball and skills on and off the field and are leaders for the younger players following behind them. I am really proud of all three of them and of this whole team. They are coming together at the right time and its really special to watch it happen."

Davidson also brought home MSU's (32-22, 8-15 SEC) first run of the ballgame with a single into left field following a Carter Spexarth double.

Annie Willis started and earned the win, going 4.0 innings. Georgia's (29-20, 7-17 SEC) only runs came on a pair of home runs. Alyssa Loza then came in for the final three frames, pitching shutout ball to preserve a one-run lead for her fourth save of the year.

Quotables

Samantha Ricketts on Alyssa Loza out of the bullpen:
"She wants the ball when the game is on the line and when the game is in a tight jam. It has been really cool to see her succeed in that role. It's a tough situation to be in when you don't start off an inning. When she entered today it was right after the nine-hole was walked, and she had to face the top of the order. I really love her confidence, grit and the willingness to compete and to trust her defense behind her. They love to play behind her because of that passion. It is really fun to see her have success in the role that she has worked so hard to take control."

Alyssa Loza on recording the final out on Senior Day:
"It was a full circle moment, being out there with my girls. I was fighting every pitch with another gritty performance for us. The defense played awesome. Mia [Davidson] played awesome. The pitch calling was on point. We had those timely hits. The word that sums everything up for me is grateful. Grateful for this program, my teammates, coaches, and support staff. That win right there was for everybody."

Chloe Malau'ulu on the team's winning streak:
"It does feel really good. I don't think we are going to change anything up about our mindset going into the SEC tournament and then postseason. We are just going to take it one game at a time. Keep giving our all and leaving everything out there on the field for every game. Expect to see the same mindset because we are trying not to be too big in the moment. We are going to take it day by day and play our game."

Quick Hitters

Let's Go Streaking – The Bulldogs finished the regular season with seven consecutive victories in SEC play, which is tied with the 1999 season for the second-longest SEC winning streak in program history … The Bulldogs' five-game winning streak against NFCA-ranked opponents is also tied for the second-longest in program history behind the 2004 season (7) … It is the first time MSU has done so in five consecutive games without a break against an unranked team during the streak.

Paige Cook – Recorded a career-high five putouts.

Mia Davidson – Drove in two runs … Went 2-for-2 on the day with a pair of singles.

Alyssa Loza – Earned her fourth save of the 2021 season and her third in SEC play ... Four saves is a single-season career high.

Chloe Malau'ulu – Went 2-for-3 with two runs scored … Now has at 13 doubles this season.

Annie Willis – Picked up her 16th win of the year ... Now one win shy of her single-season career-high (17) set at Troy in 2018.

Scoring Recap

Bottom 1
Carter Spexarth doubled down the left field line. Spexarth scored on a Mia Davidson single to left field.
Georgia 0, Mississippi State 1

Top 2
Lacey Fincher homered to right field.
Georgia 1, Mississippi State 1

Bottom 3
Chloe Malau'ulu singled through the right side. Malau'ulu advanced to second on a Fa Leilua walk. Carter Spexarth singled to center field to load the bases. Brylie St. Clair pinch ran for Spexarth at first. Mia Davidson hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Malau'ulu. Leilua attempted to advance to third, and the throw was cut off. An errant throw to third allowed Leilua and St. Clair to score.
Georgia 1, Mississippi State 4

Top 4
Lacey Fincher was hit by the pitch. Fincher scored on a Sara Mosley homer to left field.
Georgia 3, Mississippi State 4

On Deck

Mississippi State will be the No. 9 seed in the SEC Tournament and meet No. 8 seed Ole Miss on Wednesday, May 12. The Bulldogs and Rebels throw the first pitch at 11 a.m. CT on SEC Network.

Follow the Bulldogs

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