State Battles No. 10 Tennessee In Longest SEC Tournament Game On Record

Thursday, May 12

Gainesville, Fla.

11:00 AM

Mississippi State

33-24

#13 Tennessee

39-15

Mississippi State

Tennessee

State Battles No. 10 Tennessee In Longest SEC Tournament Game On Record

May 12, 2022 | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Brian Ogden, Associate Director/Communications

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 13-inning marathon game came to an end on a walk-off single on Thursday afternoon as Mississippi State dropped a 1-0 ballgame to No. 10 Tennessee at the SEC Tournament.

At 13 innings, it was the longest game in SEC Tournament history and came just one inning shy of the longest game in MSU history. It was the first scoreless game through six innings at the SEC Tournament since 2017, and it would remain that way for six more frames.

The Bulldog defense was impressive, keeping State (33-24) in the contest despite being outhit, 11-3. Their biggest defensive play came with two runners on in the fourth.

"I'm just really proud of the fight that this team showed, particularly the pitching staff," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "I thought Aspen (Wesley) gave us a great start and then Kenley (Hawk) holding it down for 5.2 innings, and I thought Annie (Willis) did a great job, coming in and finishing it. They gave us a chance and kept us in it so we could continue to fight."

After the batter beat out an infield single that slipped under pitcher Kenley Hawk's glove, the runner on second tried to stretch to the plate to score. Shea Moreno picked up the slow roller on the run and threw to Mia Davidson, who was still retreating to the plate after pursuing the ball up the first-base line. Davidson's diving tag at the plate narrowly beat the runner, and the call was upheld upon video review.

In the fifth, Davidson threw out a runner stealing to break the MSU career record for runners thrown out stealing or picked off.

Another crucial moment came in the bottom of the ninth. With the bases loaded and two outs, reliever Annie Willis pitched her way back from a 2-0 count after walking the previous two batters. Willis froze Tennessee's Amanda Ayala on a 3-2 count to end the inning.

Lair Beautae, however, would end the game four innings later with a walk-off single in the 13th inning. Hawk thew 5.2 innings and stranded five runners on base. Willis stranded eight in 4.2 innings.

Quotables

Samantha Ricketts on takeaways from today's game…
"I wish we could have found a way to break through a little bit quicker there. I think it just turns into a mental battle at the plate, and it was just one team after another trying to find a way to break through throwing punches. I think overall, there are positives to take from it. You know, we pitch like this. We use a staff approach and next week going into postseason, you know, I think we're going to be a really tough team out there. So I'm really proud of the pitching staff. I know they really pride themselves on having each other's backs, and they showed that today."

Kenley Hawk on confidence you can take away from today's performance…
"Honestly, it was kind of like a moment where it's like you're back because I know that I had this potential. I mean, I practice and pitch against some of the best all around the country in practice and then we come into the SEC, and it's kind of like what Coach Ricketts said. It's like you never get a weekend off. So knowing that I did that, it's kind of like 'Oh, yeah, like let's go to postseason.'"

Quick Hitters

A Marathon – Today's game was the first scoreless game entering the seventh inning in the SEC Tournament since 2017 … at 13 innings, it was the longest game in SEC Tournament history … the game was MSU's longest since a 14-inning affair with then-No. 3 Auburn on March 18, 2016 … 13 innings is the fourth-longest game in program history behind three 14-inning contests.

Dawg Defense – Held Tennessee scoreless for 12 innings and just the second time this year … Washington defeated the Lady Vols, 11-0, in five innings … MSU did not make an error in 21.1 innings in the SEC Tournament.

Paige Cook – Singled in the second and 13th innings for her 12th multi-hit game of the year.

Mia Davidson – Broke the school record for runners thrown out in a career with a caught stealing in the fifth inning … has cut down 55 runners in her career (43 CS, 12 PO) … passed Sam Lenahan (2011-14; 49 CS, 5 PO) … tagged a runner out at the plate to preserve a shutout in the fourth inning.

Montana Davidson – Singled in a pinch-hit appearance in the 11th inning.

Kenley Hawk – Threw 5.2 scoreless innings in relief, scattering six hits … struck out two.

Aspen Wesley – Used as an opener one time through the lineup … struck out two batters looking in 2.0 scoreless innings.

Annie Willis – Threw 4.2 inning in relief, striking out three.

Scoring Recap

Bottom 13
With one out, Rylie West singled. She advanced to second on a Kiki Milloy walk. Lair Beautae singled into right field, and West beat the throw home to score.
Mississippi State 0, Tennessee 1

On Deck

The NCAA Tournament Selection Show is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on Sunday, May 15. The 64-team bracket will be revealed live on ESPN2.

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