Bulldogs Make Final Preparations For SEC Play With Pair Of Midweek Matchups

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State softball is preparing for a pair of spring break games that will serve as its final tune-ups before opening conference play this weekend. State has added a game with North Dakota State on Tuesday at 4 p.m. CT, and its originally scheduled meeting with Purdue on Wednesday has been pushed back to 5 p.m.

MSU is 1-1 against the Bison, with their only meetings coming in the 2018 Tucson Regional. State lost a one-run game before eliminating NDSU in run-rule fashion with a 12-0 victory. The Boilermakers and Bulldogs have not met since 2011, and MSU holds a 3-1 edge in the all-time series. Purdue's last trip to Starkville came in 2007.

Both the Bulldogs and the Bison have won seven of their last 10 games. The Bison enter the midweek matchups on a three-game winning streak. Purdue is on a two-game losing skid, but is 5-5 across its last 10 contests. The Boilermakers will also play the Bison on Wednesday at 2 p.m. before their matchup with State.

Admission to all MSU home games at Nusz Park is always free. The Bulldogs' original promotional schedule has been tweaked with their modified schedule. Wii Sports Night is now Tuesday with sound effects and video board elements that fit that theme. Fans in attendance may enter a raffle to win a free Wii.

First Responder Night, which was postponed when Sunday's game against ETSU was cancelled, has been rescheduled for Wednesday. Following the game, members of the Starkville Police and Fire Departments will compete on the field in a home run derby.

Game Coverage

Tuesday, March 14
4 p.m. – North Dakota State | Live Stats | SEC Network+ (link will be provided when available)

Wednesday, March 15
6 p.m. – Purdue | Live Stats | SEC Network+

Leading Off

Disciplined Dawgs: The Bulldog hitters are averaging just 2.92 strikeouts per game, which ranks seventh nationally and second in the SEC. More impressive, MSU has struck out looking just 19 times in 25 games.

Take A Walk: Riley Hull is tied for sixth in the SEC with a .565 on-base percentage. She has 15 walks this year and is averaging 0.75 per game. As a team, State's 90 walks rank 19th nationally.

Sacrificial State: The Bulldogs are tied for second in the SEC with 11 sacrifice bunts and tied for third with nine sacrifice flies. Brylie St. Clair is tied for second in the conference in sacrifice bunts and tied for third in sacrifice flies herself.

Chloe's Cannon: Chloe Malau'ulu threw out a runner at the plate against Southeastern Louisiana (3/9), giving her 16 career outfield assists, which ranks third in MSU history. Of Malau'ulu's 15 assists since the start of 2021, 11 were runners thrown out at home plate.

Everybody Up: The Bulldogs sent 10 batters to the plate in the fourth against Southeastern Louisiana (3/9), scoring four runs. State has now batted around in an inning seven times this year.

Stats Against The Sooners: MSU is the only team to play No. 1 Oklahoma twice without being run-ruled in at least one game. In the first game, MSU became the only team this year to go the full seven innings while using only freshmen pitchers.

Taking On Top Teams: State's future opponents have combined for a .755 winning percentage so far this year, which is the fifth toughest upcoming schedule in the nation per the NCAA.

Magic Number: State has scored at least five in 16 of its 18 wins in 2023 and is 16-1 when doing so.

Promo Points: Tuesday night is Wii Sports Night at Nusz Park. Wednesday night is First Responder Night with a Police vs. Fire Home Run Derby following the game.

About the Opponents

North Dakota State (13-10, 0-0 Summit)
Rankings: NFCA Coaches – NR | USA Softball – NR | D1Softball – NR | Softball America – NR
Head coach: Darren Mueller | at NDSU: 713-428 (22nd Year) | Career: 713-428 (22nd Year)
Batting Average: .254; Runs Per Game: 3.9; Hits Per Game: 6.0; Slugging Percentage: .382
ERA: 3.44; K/7: 4.3; K/BB Ratio: 1.7; Opp. Batting Avg: .267

Purdue (11-8, 0-0 Big Ten)
Rankings: NFCA Coaches – NR | USA Softball – NR | D1Softball – NR | Softball America – NR
Head coach: Boo De Oliveira | at PUR: 138-179 (7th Year) | Career: 138-179 (7th Year)
Batting Average: .295; Runs Per Game: 4.1; Hits Per Game: 7.9; Slugging Percentage: .411
ERA: 3.06; K/7: 4.3; K/BB Ratio: 1.4; Opp. Batting Avg: .264

On Deck

Mississippi State will open Southeastern Conference play at home this weekend, hosting South Carolina. The Friday night series opener is set for 6 p.m. with a postgame fireworks show planned. Saturday is Native American Day at Nusz Park, and first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. The series wraps up on Sunday at 12 p.m., which is also MSU's annual Bark in the Park game. All three games of the series will be broadcast on SEC Network+.

Follow the Bulldogs

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

Bulldogs Make Final Preparations For SEC Play With Pair Of Midweek Matchups

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Riley Hull

Chloe Malau'ulu

Brylie St. Clair

Mississippi State University Athletics

Bulldogs Make Final Preparations For SEC Play With Pair Of Midweek Matchups

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Riley Hull

Chloe Malau'ulu

Brylie St. Clair

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