Wednesday, February 16
Starkville
1:00 PM
Mississippi State
vs
Alabama State
Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Bulldogs Host Alabama State In Home Opener Wednesday
February 15, 2022 | Softball
STARKVILLE – Softball returns to Nusz Park on Wednesday when Mississippi State hosts Alabama State for its home opener. First pitch in the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT with the second game of the day set for 3 p.m.
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Both games will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
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MSU (1-3) is coming off an opening weekend that challenged the Bulldogs with matchups against the Nos. 1 and 3 teams in the nation. On Opening Day, State claimed a 4-2 victory over Loyola Marymount thanks to a two-run homer from Matalasi Faapito and a two-run single from Paige Cook.
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The Bulldogs are led offensively by Cook (.444 average) along with Mia Davidson (.400) and Brylie St. Clair (.400). Davidson and St. Clair lead the team with two doubles, and Davidson also boasts a home run. It was the 70th long ball of her career, and she is now one shy of tying the SEC career record.
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In the circle, Aspen Wesley has been as good as advertised. She's pitching to a 0.88 ERA this season and has allowed just three earned runs over 24.0 innings in her last nine outings dating back to last year while going 4-0. Faapito has yet to allow an earned run this year.
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Admission to MSU softball games is always free. The first 150 fans in attendance on Wednesday will receive a pair of MSU logo knit gloves.
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Game 2 – 3 p.m. | Watch on SEC Network+ | Live Stats
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Ready For a Challenge: The Bulldogs are set to play 28 of their 55 games against teams that are ranked or receiving votes in either the NFCA Coaches' Poll or the ESPN/USA Softball Poll. 20 of those games will be on the road or at neutral sites.
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In The Zone: MSU's pitchers are averaging just 1.29 walks allowed per game. With four total walks this season, State ranks third in the SEC.
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New Territory: Three current student-athletes are the first Bulldog from their state: Riley Hull (Kentucky), Kenley Hawk (Arkansas) and Grace Fagan (New Jersey).
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Record Watch: Mia Davidson is now just one home run away from tying the SEC career record set by Florida's Lauren Haeger (71).
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Home Sweet Home: State holds a 124-45 record in Nusz Park (.734) since 2016.
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Lineup Log: Samantha Ricketts used 33 different batting orders and 17 different fielding alignments in her starting lineups in 2021. She has used four unique cards this season, with four different batting orders and three defensive alignments.
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Commanding The Circle: Aspen Wesley has allowed just three earned runs in 24.0 innings pitched (0.88 ERA) over her last nine appearances. She is 4-0 in that span.
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Dawg Debuts: Matalasi Faapito homered in her first Bulldog at-bat and did not allow an earned run in her first inning in the circle as a Bulldog. Shea Moreno, Phoebe Florian, Riley Hull, Bri Bower and Saleyna Daniel also made their MSU debuts last weekend.
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Rankings: NFCA Coaches - RV | USA Softball - NR | Softball America – NR | D1Softball - NR
Head coach: Todd Brantley | Record at ALST: 31-46 (3rd Year) | Career Record: 325-325-1 (14th Year)
Batting Average: .255; Runs Per Game: 2.8; Hits Per Game: 6.5; Slugging Percentage: .343
ERA: 2.25; K/7: 5.5; K/BB Ratio: 2.2; Opp. Batting Avg: .228
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The Hornets are receiving one vote in the latest NFCA Coaches' Poll. Alabama State hosted the season-opening Stinger Classic tournament, going 2-2 with wins over Purdue-Fort Wayne and College of Charleston. Junior Bailey Greenlee struck out 17 batters in her Hornet debut while also adding four RBIs on three hits at the plate. Kindall DeRamus recorded a team-high seven hits and five scores over the opening weekend, including all three runs in the win over the College of Charleston.
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Both games will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
Â
MSU (1-3) is coming off an opening weekend that challenged the Bulldogs with matchups against the Nos. 1 and 3 teams in the nation. On Opening Day, State claimed a 4-2 victory over Loyola Marymount thanks to a two-run homer from Matalasi Faapito and a two-run single from Paige Cook.
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The Bulldogs are led offensively by Cook (.444 average) along with Mia Davidson (.400) and Brylie St. Clair (.400). Davidson and St. Clair lead the team with two doubles, and Davidson also boasts a home run. It was the 70th long ball of her career, and she is now one shy of tying the SEC career record.
Â
In the circle, Aspen Wesley has been as good as advertised. She's pitching to a 0.88 ERA this season and has allowed just three earned runs over 24.0 innings in her last nine outings dating back to last year while going 4-0. Faapito has yet to allow an earned run this year.
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Admission to MSU softball games is always free. The first 150 fans in attendance on Wednesday will receive a pair of MSU logo knit gloves.
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Game Coverage
Game 1 – 1 p.m. | Watch on SEC Network+ | Live StatsGame 2 – 3 p.m. | Watch on SEC Network+ | Live Stats
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Leading Off
Top Trio: Paige Cook, Brylie St. Clair and Mia Davidson are all batting .400 or better after opening weekend. St. Clair and Davidson are tied for the team lead with two doubles, and Cook is tied with Davidson for the team lead in RBIs.Â
Ready For a Challenge: The Bulldogs are set to play 28 of their 55 games against teams that are ranked or receiving votes in either the NFCA Coaches' Poll or the ESPN/USA Softball Poll. 20 of those games will be on the road or at neutral sites.
Â
In The Zone: MSU's pitchers are averaging just 1.29 walks allowed per game. With four total walks this season, State ranks third in the SEC.
Â
New Territory: Three current student-athletes are the first Bulldog from their state: Riley Hull (Kentucky), Kenley Hawk (Arkansas) and Grace Fagan (New Jersey).
Â
Record Watch: Mia Davidson is now just one home run away from tying the SEC career record set by Florida's Lauren Haeger (71).
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Home Sweet Home: State holds a 124-45 record in Nusz Park (.734) since 2016.
Â
Lineup Log: Samantha Ricketts used 33 different batting orders and 17 different fielding alignments in her starting lineups in 2021. She has used four unique cards this season, with four different batting orders and three defensive alignments.
Â
Commanding The Circle: Aspen Wesley has allowed just three earned runs in 24.0 innings pitched (0.88 ERA) over her last nine appearances. She is 4-0 in that span.
Â
Dawg Debuts: Matalasi Faapito homered in her first Bulldog at-bat and did not allow an earned run in her first inning in the circle as a Bulldog. Shea Moreno, Phoebe Florian, Riley Hull, Bri Bower and Saleyna Daniel also made their MSU debuts last weekend.
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About the Opponent
Alabama State (2-2, 0-0 SWAC)Rankings: NFCA Coaches - RV | USA Softball - NR | Softball America – NR | D1Softball - NR
Head coach: Todd Brantley | Record at ALST: 31-46 (3rd Year) | Career Record: 325-325-1 (14th Year)
Batting Average: .255; Runs Per Game: 2.8; Hits Per Game: 6.5; Slugging Percentage: .343
ERA: 2.25; K/7: 5.5; K/BB Ratio: 2.2; Opp. Batting Avg: .228
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The Hornets are receiving one vote in the latest NFCA Coaches' Poll. Alabama State hosted the season-opening Stinger Classic tournament, going 2-2 with wins over Purdue-Fort Wayne and College of Charleston. Junior Bailey Greenlee struck out 17 batters in her Hornet debut while also adding four RBIs on three hits at the plate. Kindall DeRamus recorded a team-high seven hits and five scores over the opening weekend, including all three runs in the win over the College of Charleston.
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On Deck
Mississippi State will host the Bulldog Kickoff Classic on Feb. 18-20 with games against Southern Illinois, Georgia Tech and Central Arkansas. Saturday's games will be broadcast on SEC Network+ at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.Â
Follow the Bulldogs
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."Â
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Players Mentioned
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OF
/ Softball
C/INF
/ Softball
P/INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
P
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C/INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
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