Cook Delivers Walk-Off Win In Saturday Split

Saturday, March 5

Starkville

3:00 PM

Mississippi State

13-7

Jacksonville State

9-8

Jacksonville State

Mississippi State

Cook Delivers Walk-Off Win In Saturday Split

March 05, 2022 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Jacksonville State Box Score (PDF)Furman Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

By: Brian Ogden, Associate Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – Paige Cook delivered a walk-off home run as Mississippi State defeated Jacksonville State in a Saturday split at the Bulldog Invitational. MSU (13-8) also dropped a 3-1 ballgame to Furman.

An impressive pitching performance from Annie Willis against Jacksonville State (9-8) was only temporarily marred by an error in the seventh inning. Willis struck out a season-high nine batters over 6.1 innings and left the game with a 2-1 lead but with two runners on base. Cook made an error on a ground ball that would have ended the inning and allowed the tying run to score. However, Cook redeemed herself on the first pitch she saw in the bottom of the seventh, launching a walk-off home run to left-center field.

"During the inning before, I kind of messed up a little bit and had to bounce back right after," Cook said. "I told Madi Kennedy before I went up to bat, I said that I will get it back right here, and we are going to get something started. We are going to finish it. It was a big confidence boost. That was a proud moment to know that I bounced back after what had happened."

Cook had also provided MSU's first run of the game on a single up the middle that scored Chloe Malau'ulu. State later took a 2-1 lead on a solo home run from Matalasi Faapito before the dramatic final frame.

In the nightcap, Madisyn Kennedy delivered an RBI single to score MSU's run, tying the ballgame in the bottom of the first inning. Furman took the lead in the third inning, scoring two runs on a single that deflected off the pitcher. The teams combined for just two more hits the rest of the night.

Hawk returned to the circle against Furman (8-8) and threw 4.0 innings, allowing just one hit. She threw 59 total pitches, averaging less than four pitches per batter faced.

Quotables

Samantha Ricketts on Paige Cook's home run…
"It was good to have a close game and have to come from behind. It's good to play in some tight games and have a chance in the bottom of the seventh. It was really good to see Paige Cook come back from her error that allowed them to tie it up in the top of the seventh. The first pitch that Paige saw was great. I always try to tell the girls to never take their bat to the field or their glove to the plate. No matter what happens, let it go and get ready to make a great play."

Kenley Hawk on what was different about the two games…
"I don't think it really went wrong. I just think it was a different outlook as far as what the team had to bring to us compared to the other team before. I just think it is about us making the quick adjustments, and we will be good to go."

Quick Hitters

Paige Cook – Hit a walk-off home run on the first pitch of the seventh inning against Jacksonville State after it was her error that allowed the tying run to score in the top half of the inning … went 2-for-3 against the Gamecocks and also drove in the game's first run with a base hit up the middle … made a diving catch on a liner at third base against Furman.

Mia Davidson – Doubled against Furman to tie the MSU career record for total bases (529) with Kellie Wilkerson (1999-02) … made a sliding catch into the Bulldogs' dugout on a foul pop up.

Riley Hull – Went 1-for-2 with a single and two walks against Furman.

Matalasi Faapito – Delivered a solo home run in the fourth inning against Jacksonville State … went 2-for-3 against the Gamecocks.

Kenley Hawk – Came in with one out and runners on second and third against Jacksonville State and allowed just one to score on an error … earned the win after the game was tied … threw 4.0 innings of one-hit ball in relief against Furman … averaged 4.2 pitchers per batter across the two games.

Madisyn Kennedy – Brought home a run with a base hit against Furman.

Annie Willis – Struck out a season-high nine batters in 6.1 innings of work … allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits.

Jacksonville State Scoring Recap

Bottom 2
Chloe Malau'ulu led off the inning with a triple. She scored on a single up the middle from Paige Cook.
Jacksonville State 0, Mississippi State 1

Top 3
With two outs, Brantly Bonds was hit by a pitch. She scored on a double from Megan Fortner.
Jacksonville State 1, Mississippi State 1

Bottom 4
With one out, Matalasi Faapito hit a solo home run.
Jacksonville State 1, Mississippi State 2

Top 7
Camryn McLemore drew a pinch-hit, leadoff walk, and Wagnon pinch ran at first. Wagnon was retired when Hunt hit into a fielder's choice to the diving shortstop. Following a strikeout, Bobbitt reached on an error by the third baseman that allowed Hunt to score.
Jacksonville State 2, Mississippi State 2

Bottom 7
Paige Cook hit a walk-off home run on the first pitch of the inning.
Jacksonville State 2, Misssissippi State 3

Furman Scoring Recap

Top 1
Ashlee Lykins singled on the game's first pitch, and Natalie Morgan was hit by a pitch to put two runners on. Emily Bartlett walked to load the bases. Lykins scored on a sacrifice fly from Riley Ludlam.
Furman 1, Mississippi State 0

Bottom 1
Riley Hull drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second when Matalasi Faapito walked. With two outs, Paige Cook beat out an infield single to load the bases. Hull then scored from third on a Madisyn Kennedy single to centerfield.
Furman 1, Mississippi State 1

Top 3
With two outs, Bartlett was hit by a pitch. Ludlam then doubled to put runners on second and third. Marina Griffin singled off the pitcher, and both runners scored as the ball deflected into left field.
Furman 3, Mississippi State 1

On Deck

Mississippi State will play Alcorn State at 12:30 p.m. CT on Sunday. The game will air on SEC Network+. It is First Responder Appreciation Day, and members of the Starkville police and fire departments will compete in a home run derby at Nusz Park following the game.

Follow the Bulldogs

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