Saturday, February 26
Starkville
3:00 PM
Mississippi State
8-6
7
vs
3
Belmont
4-5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Belmont
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
3
5
3
Mississippi State
5
1
0
1
0
0
X
7
7
1
McKenna’s Homer Wins Opener, Hawk Drops Pitcher’s Duel
February 26, 2022 | Softball
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State softball split a pair of games in The Snowman on Saturday at Nusz Park. The Bulldogs opened the day with a 7-3 victory against Belmont before dropping a tightly-contested ballgame to South Alabama, 1-0.
State (8-7) manufactured two runs in the bottom of the first against Belmont (3-4) on an error and a fielder's choice before Jackie McKenna hit a three-run homer to take control of the ballgame. Matalasi Faapito added two more runs on a pair of sacrifice flies later in the game.
In the nightcap, Kenley Hawk and South Alabama's Olivia Lackie went toe-to-toe in a pitcher's duel that saw a combined four hits between the teams with 12 strikeouts. Hawk collected seven of the punchouts for her third game of five or more strikeouts in seven appearances this year.
"I thought it was a really great game on both sides for both teams," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "There were two really good pitchers going head-to-head in a pitcher's duel, and one mistake caused them to capitalize on it. There was good defense from both sides, and we just couldn't get the ball to drop when we needed it to. But the at-bats we were putting together, I thought there were a lot of hard hit balls, and I thought we played great defense behind Kenley. To see the way she responded after the home run and then the bases loaded, to see her bow up and get big and get out of the situation is huge. That's going to pay off for her and for us moving forward. I thought we saw a lot of really good things, and it was a really good game we just got on the wrong side of. If we continue to play like we have these last two days, I think we still feel really good about where we're at moving forward."
The only mistake in the ballgame was a 2-1 pitch to Kamdyn Kvistad to open the fourth. Kvistad hit a solo home run that proved to be the difference.
"I think we've really made an adjustment this weekend. We've had a rough start, but I know what we can do. We have all the resources. We've been working hard and are producing now. We're putting it together. Everyone is stringing at-bats along, a lot more competitive. I think that is what is helping us win."
Kenley Hawk on getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning…
"Just sitting here realizing, day in and day out my teammates are here to work for me. When I get that opportunity to work just as hard for them, that's all I can think about."
Kenley Hawk on how things were different tonight from last season or earlier this year…
"Tonight was completely different. I felt more on-edge. I felt more confident in my defense than I ever have. There was no doubt in my mind that we were going to put the bat on the ball. Everyone all around was just very involved and confident."
Matalasi Faapito – Drove in two runs with sacrifice flies against Belmont … fourth multi-RBI game of the season, which is second on the team.
Grace Fagan – Earned her second win of the year after facing the final 14 batters against Belmont.
Kenley Hawk – Struck out seven in a complete game against South Alabama … third game of five or more strikeouts this season and fourth of her career … has now struck out 35 percent of hitters she's faced this season (38 of 108).
Chloe Malau'ulu – Went 2-for-4 with a career-high-tying three runs scored against Belmont … also stole a base … game was her third multi-hit game of the year, which is tied for the team lead.
Jackie McKenna – Hit a three-run home run against Belmont … went 2-for-3 against the Bruins.
Shea Moreno – Doubled against South Alabama for State's lone hit.
Brylie St. Clair – Walked, stole a base and scored a run against Belmont.
Chloe Malau'ulu singled, and Mia Davidson walked to open the inning. Matalasi Faapito flew out to right field, and Malau'ulu advanced to third on the play. When the throw back to the infield got away, Malau'ulu came around to score and Davidson took second. Riley Hull reached on catcher's interference, and Madisyn Kennedy singled to load the bases. Brylie St. Clair reached on a fielder's choice as Hull was retired at third. Davidson scored on the play. Jackie McKenna then hit a three-run homer to left field.
Belmont 0, Mississippi State 5
Bottom 2
With one out, Malau'ulu singled up the middle. She stole second and advanced to third when Davidson singled through the left side. Faapito hit a sacrifice fly to score Malau'ulu from third.
Belmont 0, Mississippi State 6
Top 3
With two outs, Abi Ledbetter reached on an error. She advanced to second when Kristen Green singled up the middle. Alicia Veltri walked to load the bases, and MyKayla Spurlin walked to bring home Ledbetter.
Belmont 1, Mississippi State 6
Top 3
Kaley Varner hit a solo home run with one out.
Belmont 2, Mississippi State 6
Bottom 4
Malau'ulu reached on an error to open the frame. She advanced to second on a wild pitch and took third on a fly out from Davidson. Malau'ulu scored on a sacrifice fly from Faapito.
Belmont 2, Mississippi State 7
Top 6
Indy Cockrill and Varner walked with one out. Baie Ensio singled to load the bases. Cockrill scored on a sacrifice fly from Cheyenne Cavanaugh.
Belmont 3, Mississippi State 7
Kamdyn Kvistad led off with a solo home run.
South Alabama 1, Mississippi State 0
State (8-7) manufactured two runs in the bottom of the first against Belmont (3-4) on an error and a fielder's choice before Jackie McKenna hit a three-run homer to take control of the ballgame. Matalasi Faapito added two more runs on a pair of sacrifice flies later in the game.
In the nightcap, Kenley Hawk and South Alabama's Olivia Lackie went toe-to-toe in a pitcher's duel that saw a combined four hits between the teams with 12 strikeouts. Hawk collected seven of the punchouts for her third game of five or more strikeouts in seven appearances this year.
"I thought it was a really great game on both sides for both teams," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "There were two really good pitchers going head-to-head in a pitcher's duel, and one mistake caused them to capitalize on it. There was good defense from both sides, and we just couldn't get the ball to drop when we needed it to. But the at-bats we were putting together, I thought there were a lot of hard hit balls, and I thought we played great defense behind Kenley. To see the way she responded after the home run and then the bases loaded, to see her bow up and get big and get out of the situation is huge. That's going to pay off for her and for us moving forward. I thought we saw a lot of really good things, and it was a really good game we just got on the wrong side of. If we continue to play like we have these last two days, I think we still feel really good about where we're at moving forward."
The only mistake in the ballgame was a 2-1 pitch to Kamdyn Kvistad to open the fourth. Kvistad hit a solo home run that proved to be the difference.
Quotables
Jackie McKenna on what the offense does well when it's playing well like against Belmont…"I think we've really made an adjustment this weekend. We've had a rough start, but I know what we can do. We have all the resources. We've been working hard and are producing now. We're putting it together. Everyone is stringing at-bats along, a lot more competitive. I think that is what is helping us win."
Kenley Hawk on getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning…
"Just sitting here realizing, day in and day out my teammates are here to work for me. When I get that opportunity to work just as hard for them, that's all I can think about."
Kenley Hawk on how things were different tonight from last season or earlier this year…
"Tonight was completely different. I felt more on-edge. I felt more confident in my defense than I ever have. There was no doubt in my mind that we were going to put the bat on the ball. Everyone all around was just very involved and confident."
Quick Hitters
Mia Davidson – Walked twice, one intentionally, against South Alabama.Matalasi Faapito – Drove in two runs with sacrifice flies against Belmont … fourth multi-RBI game of the season, which is second on the team.
Grace Fagan – Earned her second win of the year after facing the final 14 batters against Belmont.
Kenley Hawk – Struck out seven in a complete game against South Alabama … third game of five or more strikeouts this season and fourth of her career … has now struck out 35 percent of hitters she's faced this season (38 of 108).
Chloe Malau'ulu – Went 2-for-4 with a career-high-tying three runs scored against Belmont … also stole a base … game was her third multi-hit game of the year, which is tied for the team lead.
Jackie McKenna – Hit a three-run home run against Belmont … went 2-for-3 against the Bruins.
Shea Moreno – Doubled against South Alabama for State's lone hit.
Brylie St. Clair – Walked, stole a base and scored a run against Belmont.
Belmont Scoring Recap
Bottom 1Chloe Malau'ulu singled, and Mia Davidson walked to open the inning. Matalasi Faapito flew out to right field, and Malau'ulu advanced to third on the play. When the throw back to the infield got away, Malau'ulu came around to score and Davidson took second. Riley Hull reached on catcher's interference, and Madisyn Kennedy singled to load the bases. Brylie St. Clair reached on a fielder's choice as Hull was retired at third. Davidson scored on the play. Jackie McKenna then hit a three-run homer to left field.
Belmont 0, Mississippi State 5
Bottom 2
With one out, Malau'ulu singled up the middle. She stole second and advanced to third when Davidson singled through the left side. Faapito hit a sacrifice fly to score Malau'ulu from third.
Belmont 0, Mississippi State 6
Top 3
With two outs, Abi Ledbetter reached on an error. She advanced to second when Kristen Green singled up the middle. Alicia Veltri walked to load the bases, and MyKayla Spurlin walked to bring home Ledbetter.
Belmont 1, Mississippi State 6
Top 3
Kaley Varner hit a solo home run with one out.
Belmont 2, Mississippi State 6
Bottom 4
Malau'ulu reached on an error to open the frame. She advanced to second on a wild pitch and took third on a fly out from Davidson. Malau'ulu scored on a sacrifice fly from Faapito.
Belmont 2, Mississippi State 7
Top 6
Indy Cockrill and Varner walked with one out. Baie Ensio singled to load the bases. Cockrill scored on a sacrifice fly from Cheyenne Cavanaugh.
Belmont 3, Mississippi State 7
South Alabama Scoring Recap
Top 4Kamdyn Kvistad led off with a solo home run.
South Alabama 1, Mississippi State 0
On Deck
Mississippi State and South Alabama meet again at 1 p.m. CT on Sunday, Feb. 27 to close The Snowman at Nusz Park.Follow the Bulldogs
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Lackie, Olivia (2-2)
L: Hawk, Kenley (3-1)
Batting:
2B: Welch, Bailey 1
HR: Kvistad, Kamdyn 1
RBI: Kvistad, Kamdyn 1
SH: Wolfenden, Belle 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kvistad, Kamdyn 1
HBP: Wilcox, Kassidy 1 ; Ortiz, Victoria 1
Batting:
2B: Moreno, Shea 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
AB
1
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
AB
0
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
C/INF
/ Softball
P/INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C/INF
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
C/UTL
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
OF
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