Super Regional A Celebration Of Past, Present And Future
May 26, 2022 | Softball, Joel Coleman
Bulldogs through the years have had a hand in getting MSU to this point.
STARKVILLE – When Mississippi State hits the field at Nusz Park to compete in the school's first-ever NCAA Super Regional starting Friday, you'll see the heroes that have pushed the Bulldogs to this point.
There'll be one of the most decorated MSU athletes ever in the form of Mia Davidson. There'll be Chloe Malau'ulu, fresh off of one of the biggest swings in Bulldog history after she came through with the game-winning hit against Florida State to clinch the Tallahassee Regional championship last Sunday.
And of course, there's Brylie St. Clair and Shea Moreno and Paige Cook. Don't you dare forget about Matalasi Faapito, Madisyn Kennedy, Jackie McKenna, Riley Hull and the rest.
There'll be the nonstop competitiveness from the circle from hurlers Annie Willis, Aspen Wesley and Kenley Hawk.
Yes, the next few days will be a celebration of that group's success as they seek to add to what's already been a season for the ages. While at the same time, it'll also be a way to honor the Dawgs that came before them.
"Just so proud of this program and this team and the past teams," State head coach Samantha Ricketts said on Thursday. "I'm thankful for all of these young women who bought into the belief and Mississippi State softball and kind of did the work in the dark for this moment right here. I just think it's a testament to the belief in the athletic department as well to build us our brand new stadium in 2016 that helped us recruit these players on this team. And just continuing to push forward in all aspects – recruiting, facilities and on the field. I think it's exactly what you work for. Now everybody sees the good days and the wins and all the highs, but there's a lot of lows and a lot of tough days behind it we had to work for and through to get to this moment."
Indeed, the journey was long and arduous in order for the Bulldogs to have this time in the spotlight. Now there've been postseason berths before, sure – 16 of them in fact before this one. Yet each of those NCAA Tournament appearances prior to 2022 was cut short. Not this one.
There's no way to measure just how much those prior seasons helped fuel the tanks to push these Bulldogs where no prior MSU group has gone. But you better believe it's a factor says Ricketts. A big one in fact.
"I think this team is a testament to the teams that have all been there before," Ricketts said. "We talk a lot about learning from the past, whether it was our games the first weekend out [this year] or our games last season to our games a few years ago. 2018 was the first year that we even played on a Sunday in a Regional. That team was the first to do that. We were able to get back to Sunday in a Regional again in 2019. We did it in 2021. We knew the next step was to win a game on a Regional championship Sunday. So, I think it was taking those experiences, learning from it, and knowing we weren't satisfied just setting that history."
Those who previously wore the maroon and white helped lead MSU to the Super Regional door time and time again. This year's bunch kicked it down. For the past, present and yes, even for the future.
As Mississippi State's program continues to elevate, now it can do so at an even more rapid pace, courtesy of the stage these Bulldogs have reached. Eyeballs this weekend will be on, not just Starkville, but the Mississippi State softball program and its magnificent stadium. There'll surely be talk of the recently-announced $7 million indoor facility that'll begin to be built next month. The expected record crowds will put on full display just how much support there is from those who love their Bulldogs.
"[The impact of playing in a Super Regional is] definitely going to be huge," Ricketts said. "It's a big moment for us to put Mississippi State softball out there with the recognition we'll receive through the weekend."
And here's the best part. The weekend gives MSU the chance to make an even bigger splash than it already has. But standing in the Bulldogs' way is Arizona.
It's a tremendous challenge for State, there's no doubt. And no matter what happens over the next 48 to 72 hours, nothing will change the fact it has been a special year for the Bulldogs.
But don't expect an ounce of complacency. These Dawgs aren't just happy to be here. For as fun as this ride has been, everyone is laser focused on making it last a little longer – for those who came before, for those that are here now and for those who'll one day wear maroon trying to make their own history.
"That's definitely been the biggest focus for us for the week," Ricketts said. "Not being satisfied with getting to this stage but getting out there and playing our best ball this weekend."
