Davidson Breaks SEC Career Record, State Splits Friday Action

Friday, February 18

Starkville

3:00 PM

Mississippi State

3-4

Southern Illinois

3-3

Southern Illinois

Mississippi State

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Davidson Breaks SEC Career Record, State Splits Friday Action

February 18, 2022 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Southern Illinois Box Score Central Arkansas Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Brian Ogden, Associate Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State rebounded in emphatic fashion on Friday night, claiming an 11-3 run-rule victory over Central Arkansas in six innings. The Bulldogs nearly completed a comeback in their first game of the day, but State hit into a game-ending double play in the seventh inning while trailing 4-3.

It was a record-breaking day for Mia Davidson as the legendary Bulldog slugger became the Southeastern Conference's all-time home run leader. Davidson tied Lauren Haeger's record in Game 1 against Southern Illinois then surpassed the former Florida Gator with a two-run shot against the Bears. Davidson needed 214 games to reach the milestone, while Haeger achieved her record in 261.

"I am so glad she was able to get that, especially at home," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "It's a big and excited relief, and now it's not something looming over her anymore. Now the rest of the year, she can play free with that being in her rearview mirror. It's rewarding and exciting for someone who is selfless and a great team player and a great representative of Mississippi State and Mississippi State softball. It is a huge accomplishment that I know means a lot to her, and I don't think she realizes how long-lasting her impact will be on this program."

Chloe Malau'ulu jumpstarted State's offense against Central Arkansas with a solo homer in the first. From there, Matalasi Faapito did the rest, adding a three-run homer in the first and ending the game with a walk-off, two-run double for a career-high-tying five RBIs.

Malau'ulu also brought home a run on a sacrifice bunt, and both Jackie McKenna and Madisyn Kennedy drove in a run.

Kenley Hawk earned her second win of the year after coming on in relief. She was dominant over 3.0 innings, striking out six of the 13 batters she faced without allowing a run.

Along with Davidson's first home run against SIU, Shea Moreno drove in a run against the Salukis and Brylie St. Clair scored on a throwing error following an infield basehit.

Quotables

Samantha Ricketts on the team's response in Game 2…
"I thought we came out much better than we needed to than we did in game one. Some of it is on-field, but a lot of it is off-field with energy and focus. Things we've been harping on. I thought they came out ready to attack in game two, and that's what we were looking for in the start of the day. That's what the focus has been and will be moving forward. But I liked the bounce back. I loved the outings we got from Grace and from Kenley. I thought they both did a really good job. Grace had three strikeouts with runners in scoring positions in less than two outs, so she really buckled down when we needed her too. Kenley just really has been great every chance she's been out there with just attacking with poise, confident poise. If she keeps that up, I think she's going to be a really big part of us moving forward.

Mia Davidson on breaking the SEC career home run record…
"It's a great accomplishment – I'm going to cry, oh my goodness – just being here for five years and doing something, especially in one of the best conferences in the country, it's something amazing. It's nice. It felt amazing. I was jumping around the bases the whole time."

Mia Davidson on why the record was such an emotional moment for her…
"It was nice. They [my teammates] all came and gave me a hug. I think some of us started crying together. It was an amazing feeling. I think just having a strong team and family, especially with having my sister there. It was really nice."

Matalasi Faapito on her five-RBI game…
"It felt really good. The first weekend, it was a little rough, and I just knew that it's in the past. I just needed to go up there."

Quick Hitters

Mia Davidson – Tied the SEC career home run record with her 71st blast against SIU … broke the conference record against UCA while also drawing two walks … needed just 214 games to break Lauren Haeger's (Florida) record set in 261 games.

Matalasi Faapito – Hit a three-run home run against Central Arkansas and added a walk-off two-run double … tied her career high with five RBIs.

Kenley Hawk – Struck out six in 3.0 innings … has struck out 21 of 51 batters she's faced this year … averaging 13.8 strikeouts per seven innings.

Riley Hull – Tripled and doubled against UCA while going 2-for-3 … also scored a run.

Madisyn Kennedy – Went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles against Central Arkansas with one RBI.

Chloe Malau'ulu – Hit a solo home run and brought home a run on a sacrifice bunt against UCA.

Addison Purvis – Singled in a pinch-hit appearance against SIU … State is now 5-for-9 (.556) when pinch hitting this season … started at first against UCA and was hit by a pitch.

Southern Illinois Scoring Recap

Top 2
Tori Schullian reached on an error to open the frame, and Danyelle Eilers pinch ran at first base. With two outs, Rylie Hamilton singled through the left side to put runners on first and second. Emma Austin then singled to left field score Eilers.
Southern Illinois 1, Mississippi State 0

Bottom 4
Brylie St. Clair and Chloe Malau'ulu led off with back-to-back singles. Following a foul out, Paige Cook reached on a fielder's choice to second base and all runners were safe advancing one base. The second baseman made an errant throw to first attempting to get Cook, which allowed St. Clair to score and Malau'ulu to take third. Cook also attempted to advance but was thrown out on the play.
Southern Illinois 1, Mississippi State 1

Top 5
With one out, Sydney Sikes was hit by a pitch, and Reagan McGahey pinch ran at first base. Following a foul out, Jenny Jansen singled up the middle to put runners on first and second. Schullian then doubled down the left field line to score McGahey. Schullian and Jansen scored on a single from Baker.
Southern Illinois 4, Mississippi State 1

Bottom 5
With one out, Matalasi Faapito pinch hit and drew a walk. Phoebe Florian pinch ran for her. Addison Purvis also walked, pushing Florian to second. Shea Moreno then singled up the middle to score Florian.
Southern Illinois 4, Mississippi State 2

Bottom 6
Mia Davidson led off the inning with a home run to left-center field.
Southern Illinois 4, Mississippi State 3

Central Arkansas Scoring Recap

Top 1
Jenna Wildeman tripled on the first pitch of the ballgame. With one out, Mary Kate Brown doubled to right field to score Wildeman.
Central Arkansas 1, Mississippi State 0

Bottom 1
With one out, Chloe Malau'ulu homered to right-center field. Mia Davidson walked, and Addison Purvis was hit by a pitch before Matalasi Faapito also homered.
Central Arkansas 1, Mississippi State 4

Top 2
Tylar Vernon singled to open the frame, and Kylie Griffin reached safely on an error while attempting a sacrifice bunt. Vernon went to third on the play. Lexi McClellan walked to load the bases. Following a strikeout, Wildeman grounded out to first to bring Vernon home.
Central Arkansas 2, Mississippi State 4

Bottom 2
Riley Hull led off with a triple and scored when Madisyn Kennedy doubled immediately following. Brylie St. Clair singled to center field and took second when the throw back to the infield got away. Kennedy advanced to third. Malau'ulu laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Kennedy. Davidson then hit a two-run homer to center field.
Central Arkansas 2, Mississippi State 8

Top 3
Brown reached on an error by the second baseman and advanced to second when Jaylee Engelkes walked. Brown then stole third. She scored when Kristen Whitehouse singled through the left side.
Central Arkansas 3, Mississippi State 8

Bottom 4
Kennedy doubled to open the frame. St. Clair walked, and both runners advanced to second and third on a fly out from Malau'ulu. Davidson walked to load the bases, and Kennedy scored on Jackie McKenna's following walk.
Central Arkansas 3, Mississippi State 9

Bottom 6
With one out, Paige Cook and McKenna singled. McKenna advanced to second on the throw when Cook took third on her hit. Faapito then doubled off the top of the center field wall to score both runners.
Central Arkansas 3, Mississippi State 11

On Deck

Mississippi State returns to Nusz Park on Saturday for two games against Georgia Tech and Central Arkansas. Both games will be broadcast on SEC Network+ at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. CT, respectively.

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