Ricketts Releases Full 2024 Schedule
December 12, 2023 | Softball
STARKVILLE – With less than 60 days remaining until Mississippi State softball's opening day, head coach Samantha Ricketts has released the full 2024 softball schedule with the addition of 30 non-conference contests. The Bulldogs' 24-game SEC slate was announced in September, giving MSU a 54-game schedule with 28 home games.
The Bulldogs will open play on Friday, Feb. 9, when they host IUPUI and UAB at The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial tournament. State then hosts Louisiana for a doubleheader on Feb. 13 to wrap up a season-opening homestand.
MSU will play 32 games against teams that reached the NCAA Tournament last year, including eight non-conference opponents in February. The Bulldogs are also set to play 20 games against nine teams that finished the season ranked in the NFCA Coaches' Poll.
Following its opening homestand, State will return to the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge on Feb. 16-17 where the Bulldogs are set to play UC Davis and UC San Diego to open the tournament. MSU then faces a stiff test with games against Utah and Clemson, which finished No. 8 and No. 9 in the Coaches' Poll last year, to close the event. State is 5-3 all-time in Puerto Vallarta, having played in the 2019 and 2017 editions of the event.
The Bulldogs will return to Cathedral City, California, for the first time since Ricketts' inaugural campaign in 2020, to compete in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Feb. 22-24. State is scheduled to play four of its five games against NCAA Tournament teams, including a matchup with reigning national champion Oklahoma for the fourth year in a row. The Bulldogs will also play UCF, Notre Dame, Fresno State and Cal State Fullerton.
After two weeks on the road, MSU returns to Nusz Park to host the Bulldog Invitational on Feb. 29-March 1. State will welcome Southern Miss, Troy, Alcorn State and Samford for the four-day event.
Conference play begins on March 8-10 at Ole Miss, but the Bulldogs will have multiple midweek games to break up the SEC schedule. State hosts Memphis for a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 12, followed by a game with ULM on Wednesday, March 13. MSU will travel to Alabama State for a doubleheader on March 20.
In April, State will travel to UAB (April 3) and Samford (April 23) and play a neutral-site contest against Southern Miss (April 17). South Alabama will come to Nusz Park for the month's only home midweek on April 10.
The SEC Tournament will be hosted by Auburn this year on May 7-11. The NCAA Tournament is slated to begin on May 17-19 with Super Regionals taking place the following weekend. The 2024 Women's College World Series will again be held in Oklahoma City beginning on May 30.
Game times and television assignments will be announced at a later date. The schedule is subject to change, including the move of some conference series weekends to Saturday-Monday dates. Full schedules for The Snowman and the Bulldog Invitational will be released once finalized.
Beginning in 2024, fans must purchase a ticket for games at Nusz Park. Tickets to State's home tournaments and doubleheaders will include all games for the selected date. All tickets will be general admission.
Season tickets cost $99 with convenient payment plan options. Single-game tickets will be priced at $8 for adults and $5 for children. Bully's Kids Club members will receive complimentary admission to regular-season softball games.
Group sales options will bring those prices down to $3 per ticket (must be purchased in advance). MSU students who purchased an All-Sports Pass earlier this year will automatically have softball games included in their package. Additionally, students may purchase softball-only packages for $30 for the year.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets are encouraged to fill out the interest form HERE to receive updates from the MSU Athletics Ticket Office. Season tickets are currently on sale for Bulldog Club and Diamond Club members and will go on sale to the public on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
Parking is free in the lots surrounding Nusz Park on non-baseball weekends. Reserved parking in the Nusz Park outfield lot is available exclusively for members of the Diamond Club. Renewals and new memberships in the Diamond Club are available now. Those interested in supporting the program through naming opportunities within the new Softball Fieldhouse should contact the Bulldog Club at 662-325-3074.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
The Bulldogs will open play on Friday, Feb. 9, when they host IUPUI and UAB at The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial tournament. State then hosts Louisiana for a doubleheader on Feb. 13 to wrap up a season-opening homestand.
MSU will play 32 games against teams that reached the NCAA Tournament last year, including eight non-conference opponents in February. The Bulldogs are also set to play 20 games against nine teams that finished the season ranked in the NFCA Coaches' Poll.
Following its opening homestand, State will return to the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge on Feb. 16-17 where the Bulldogs are set to play UC Davis and UC San Diego to open the tournament. MSU then faces a stiff test with games against Utah and Clemson, which finished No. 8 and No. 9 in the Coaches' Poll last year, to close the event. State is 5-3 all-time in Puerto Vallarta, having played in the 2019 and 2017 editions of the event.
The Bulldogs will return to Cathedral City, California, for the first time since Ricketts' inaugural campaign in 2020, to compete in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Feb. 22-24. State is scheduled to play four of its five games against NCAA Tournament teams, including a matchup with reigning national champion Oklahoma for the fourth year in a row. The Bulldogs will also play UCF, Notre Dame, Fresno State and Cal State Fullerton.
After two weeks on the road, MSU returns to Nusz Park to host the Bulldog Invitational on Feb. 29-March 1. State will welcome Southern Miss, Troy, Alcorn State and Samford for the four-day event.
Conference play begins on March 8-10 at Ole Miss, but the Bulldogs will have multiple midweek games to break up the SEC schedule. State hosts Memphis for a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 12, followed by a game with ULM on Wednesday, March 13. MSU will travel to Alabama State for a doubleheader on March 20.
In April, State will travel to UAB (April 3) and Samford (April 23) and play a neutral-site contest against Southern Miss (April 17). South Alabama will come to Nusz Park for the month's only home midweek on April 10.
The SEC Tournament will be hosted by Auburn this year on May 7-11. The NCAA Tournament is slated to begin on May 17-19 with Super Regionals taking place the following weekend. The 2024 Women's College World Series will again be held in Oklahoma City beginning on May 30.
Game times and television assignments will be announced at a later date. The schedule is subject to change, including the move of some conference series weekends to Saturday-Monday dates. Full schedules for The Snowman and the Bulldog Invitational will be released once finalized.
Beginning in 2024, fans must purchase a ticket for games at Nusz Park. Tickets to State's home tournaments and doubleheaders will include all games for the selected date. All tickets will be general admission.
Season tickets cost $99 with convenient payment plan options. Single-game tickets will be priced at $8 for adults and $5 for children. Bully's Kids Club members will receive complimentary admission to regular-season softball games.
Group sales options will bring those prices down to $3 per ticket (must be purchased in advance). MSU students who purchased an All-Sports Pass earlier this year will automatically have softball games included in their package. Additionally, students may purchase softball-only packages for $30 for the year.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets are encouraged to fill out the interest form HERE to receive updates from the MSU Athletics Ticket Office. Season tickets are currently on sale for Bulldog Club and Diamond Club members and will go on sale to the public on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
Parking is free in the lots surrounding Nusz Park on non-baseball weekends. Reserved parking in the Nusz Park outfield lot is available exclusively for members of the Diamond Club. Renewals and new memberships in the Diamond Club are available now. Those interested in supporting the program through naming opportunities within the new Softball Fieldhouse should contact the Bulldog Club at 662-325-3074.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Friday, May 29
Thursday, May 28
Wednesday, May 27
Sunday, May 24