Gaining New Perspective

STARKVILLE – Although Paige Cook and Madisyn Kennedy will not be able to compete in Mississippi State's annual Fall World Series, the pair are looking forward to gaining a different perspective as captains.

Instead of hitting the field and playing, Cook and Kennedy will be coaching their respective teams in Friday's game at Nusz Park. They are excited about the challenge that the competition brings and are eager to learn from the experience.

"Having this opportunity to be in the Fall World Series from the coaching side of things instead of playing, I think it's a really cool thing because we get a new perspective," Kennedy said. "It allows us to see different things like what our teammates are up to, what they are doing and how we can help them in this way. Instead of helping them on the field [and] playing with them, [we're] really helping them grow in a different way."

Even though the pair are excited to gain experience through this new perspective, Kennedy and Cook are both vying to take home the win for their teams and earn bragging rights in their last year in Starkville.

"We're really excited. Team Madi's got some things going, and we're going to get some good team bonding in," Kennedy said. "I am going to throw a little BP to my team – and only my team – so [I'm] really excited about that because we're coming to play. We're not messing around."

Cook and Kennedy started their softball journey together. The duo arrived at MSU in the fall of 2019 and were roommates in their freshman year. Since then, both have become outstanding players in the Maroon and White.

Over their collegiate careers, Kennedy and Cook have combined for 45 homers and 191 RBIs in 370 total games played. Heading into their final season at State, the duo are grateful to spend this time facing off against each other as captains.

"It definitely means a lot to me because me and Madi were roommates when we first got here and we've been together for five years now," Cook said. "It's really cool to see [that] we started together and now we get to finish out being captains together and help guide our teams in the Fall World Series."

Cook and Kennedy have played tremendous roles as players and leaders for the Bulldogs over their time at MSU. With a slew of newcomers set to make their first appearances as Bulldogs this spring, the pair's experience and leadership have allowed them to spread knowledge to their new teammates.

"I've been in their shoes, and for the past four years I've experienced all these things. I'm able to help them with stuff they're struggling with on [the] field," Kennedy said. "If they're doing something different, I'm like, 'Hey, this how you actually do it, and this is why we do it this way.'"

The duo defines what it means to be a Bulldog and they continue to display resiliency and determination as they rehab their injuries. Even though they aren't on the field right now, Kennedy and Cook are staying involved by helping coach and pass on their meaningful wisdom learned through their years at MSU.

"I have been paying attention to the hitters," Cook said. "I love to hit and now I'm a coach as well, so being able to watch them and help guide them and tell them what they're doing wrong or something that they could improve on definitely helps a lot. We only have so many coaches and they can only do so much and focus on so much at one time. To be a senior and to have been here for so long, you know what to look for and can help them out in the long run."

Mississippi State University Athletics

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Paige Cook

Madisyn Kennedy

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