Bulldogs Open Non-Conference Stretch At Memphis Wednesday

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State begins a stretch of four consecutive non-conference games on Wednesday, March 23, when the Bulldogs travel to Memphis. First pitch against the Tigers is set for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

After two weeks of conference play, State (19-10, 4-2 SEC) is tied for second in the SEC standings, but MSU now faces a break from league games. Following Wednesday's game at Memphis, the Bulldogs will host Samford for a doubleheader before traveling to Middle Tennessee next week.

The Tigers (12-17, 0-0 AAC) recently played MSU's next SEC foe, dropping an 8-4 ballgame to No. 14 Tennessee. MSU is the third SEC team that Memphis will face as the Tigers also took No. 8 Arkansas to extra innings on the first weekend of the season.

State is coming off of a sweep of Ole Miss last weekend that saw the Bulldogs outscore the Rebels, 22-11. MSU has now won four of its last five SEC series dating back to last year with an 11-3 record in those games, including three series sweeps.

Both teams will wear gold shoelaces to raise awareness of childhood cancer on Wednesday.

Leading Off

Tough Slate: State's strength of schedule is No. 9 in the latest RPI. MSU's opponents have combined for fourth-highest winning percentage (.678) in the nation.

Keeping It Clean: MSU has eight errors over its last 74 innings (222 outs, 297 chances) with a .973 fielding percentage in that span. State's fielding percentage in SEC play ranks fourth in the league.

SES Success: State has swept three of its last four SEC series dating back to last season. The Bulldogs are 11-3 in their last five regular-season SEC series dating back to 2021.

Two-Out Troublemakers: The Bulldogs were 14-for-33 (.424) with two outs in the series against Ole Miss and collected 12 two-out RBIs. State scored 14 of its 22 runs (63.6 percent) in the series with two outs.

Don't Try It: The Bulldogs are tied for 12th in the NCAA and second in the SEC with just 10 stolen bases allowed this season.

Made You Look: The Bulldog pitching staff leads the SEC with 51 looking strikeouts this season, which is tied for No. 28 nationally.

Lineup Log: Samantha Ricketts has made just one lineup change in the last seven games. Ricketts typically is less consistent, using 22 different batting orders and 16 defensive alignments this year.

Captain Chloe: Chloe Malau'ulu is tied for the SEC lead in hits (9) and fourth in the league in batting average (.500) in conference play.

Brylie's Breakout: Brylie St. Clair batted .700 in the series against Ole Miss (3/18-20). She scored four times and drove in four runs. She drove in the game-winning runs in the second and third games of the series.

First Runs First: The Bulldogs have outscored opponents, 77-17, in the first two innings. MSU is 19-0 when leading after the second and 18-1 when scoring first this season

About Memphis (12-17, 0-0 AAC)

Rankings: NFCA Coaches - NR | USA Softball - NR | Softball America – NR | D1Softball - NR
Head Coach: Natalie Poole | Record at MEM: 237-319 (11th Year) | Career Record: 549-618 (21st Year)
Batting Average: .272 | Runs Per Game: 4.6 | Hits Per Game: 7.1 | Slugging Pct: .347
ERA: 3.78 | K/7: 4.1 | K/BB Ratio: 1.3 | Opp. Batting Avg: .301

Series History
Overall: 11-0 | Home: 6-0 | Away: 3-0 | Neutral: 2-0
Current Streak: Won 11 | Last Meeting: Mar. 10, 2021 in Starkville, Miss. (MSU 5, MEM 0)

About the Tigers
The Tigers have shown they can compete with top teams. Memphis took then-No. 8/9 Arkansas to extra innings on Opening Weekend, losing 4-3. The Tigers also played then-No. 14 Tennessee, losing 8-4. Memphis is one of three programs that the Bulldogs are undefeated against through at least 10 meetings. Gracie Morton leads the Tigers and ranks eighth nationally in hits (40). Morton is batting .404, which ranks third in the American Athletic Conference. The Tigers lead the AAC in errors (54) but also in runners caught stealing (8).

On Deck

Mississippi State will take a week off from conference play and return to Starkville for a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday. The Bulldogs will welcome Samford for games at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. CT with both airing on SEC Network+.

Follow the Bulldogs

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

Bulldogs Open Non-Conference Stretch At Memphis Wednesday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Chloe Malau'ulu

Brylie St. Clair

Mississippi State University Athletics

Bulldogs Open Non-Conference Stretch At Memphis Wednesday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Chloe Malau'ulu

Brylie St. Clair

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