State Opens SEC Play At Nusz Park Against South Carolina

STARKVILLE – SEC softball returns to Nusz Park this weekend as Mississippi State opens its conference slate hosting South Carolina on March 17-19. All three games will air on SEC Network+.

The Bulldogs (19-8, 0-0 SEC) and the Gamecocks (23-4, 1-2 SEC) bring two of the nation's top pitching staffs to the meeting. MSU leads the nation with 237 strikeouts, and freshman Josey Marron's 10.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio is No. 15 in the nation. South Carolina's Donnie Gobourne, however, leads the nation in strikeouts per seven innings (13.9).

It will be a tough test for a State lineup that has been on of the toughest in the country to put away. Despite leading the SEC and ranking fifth nationally with 734 at-bats, MSU has struck out just 82 times, which trails only Florida (74) in the SEC. In fact, MSU's 3.04 strikeouts per game offensively leads the conference and is sixth nationally.

The last time these two squads met, State took the series, winning the final two games in Columbia by a combined score of 13-3. That sparked a run of seven straight SEC victories to close the 2021 season, which stood as the Bulldogs' second-longest conference winning streak.

Plenty of promotions are on tap for fans this weekend, and Friday night has a double helping. Fans at the SEC opener can receive free green t-shirts for St. Patrick's Day and be treated to a postgame fireworks show. On Saturday, State will celebrate Aspen Wesley's Choctaw heritage with Native American Heritage Day sponsored by Pearl River Resort. Fans will receive free rally towels decorated with traditional Choctaw patterns.

Sunday's series finale has been tabbed for MSU's annual Bark in the Park game. This is the only game in which fans may bring their dogs inside the stadium, but all dog owners must sign a waiver and are responsible for cleaning up after their pet. Dogs and their owners must sit in Section 101. The first 100 fans in attendance will receive a free collapsible dog bowl.

Game Coverage

Leading Off

Looking Back: The last time MSU met South Carolina, the Bulldogs took the final two games of the series in Columbia by a combined score of 13-3. That sparked a seven-game SEC winning streak that is State's second-longest in program history.

Disciplined Dawgs: The Bulldog hitters are averaging just 3.04 strikeouts per game, which ranks sixth nationally and leads the SEC. Those numbers are made more impressive by the fact that State's 734 at-bats are the most in the SEC and tied for fifth in the nation.

Sit Down: State's pitching staff, meanwhile, leads the nation in strikeouts as a team (237).

Powerful Pair Of Arms: Reis Beuerlein broke the MSU single-game freshman record for strikeouts against Purdue (3/15) with 14 punchouts. That one-upped Josey Marron, who had earlier tied the record with 13 against Furman (2/26).

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. 12 of Malau'ulu's career assists have been runners thrown out at home plate.

Captain Clutch: Malau'ulu leads the team in hits, runs, RBIs and home runs. She has a team-high 12 multi-hit and eight multi-RBI games. Malau'ulu is hitting .500 with runners in scoring position, and her 11 two-out RBIs lead the team.

Magic Number: State has scored at least five in 17 of its 19 wins in 2023 and is 17-1 when doing so.

Promo Points: Saturday's game will mark the first Native American Heritage Day at Nusz Park, honoring Aspen Wesley who grew up on the Pearl River Reservation and is the first member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw to pitch in the SEC. Volunteer assistant coach Zac Shaw also has tribal membership with the Seneca-Cayuga tribe.

About South Carolina (23-4, 1-2 SEC)

Rankings: NFCA Coaches – NR | USA Softball – NR | D1Softball – NR | Softball America – NR
Head Coach: Bev Smith | Record at SC: 408-281 (13th Year) | Career Record: 408-281 (13th Year)
Batting Average: .319 | Runs Per Game: 7.0 | Hits Per Game: 7.6 | Slugging Pct: .544
ERA: 2.59 | K/7: 7.5 | K/BB Ratio: 3.5 | Opp. Batting Avg: .229

Series History
Overall: 32-33 | Home: 14-13 | Away: 14-14 | Neutral: 4-6
Current Streak: Won 2 | Last Meeting: May 2, 2021 in Columbia, S.C. (MSU 7, SC 1)

About the Gamecocks
The Gamecocks are No. 25 in the latest RPI. South Carolina is off to its best start since 2018. Head coach Bev Smith earned her 400th career win last Thursday against North Carolina, making her the 29th active head coach in Division I to amass 400 career victories while only coaching at one school. The Gamecock offense ranks 12th in the country in scoring per game (6.96 runs). South Carolina is eighth nationally in doubles (44). Senior transfer Donnie Gobourne leads the nation in strikeouts per seven innings (13.9).

On Deck

Mississippi State will hit the road next weekend for another conference series at No. 18/17 Georgia. The battles of the Bulldogs are set for March 24-26. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT. Saturday's game will be played at 11 a.m. and broadcast on SEC Network. Sunday's finale is set for 1 p.m. The Friday and Sunday games will stream on SEC Network+.

Follow the Bulldogs

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

State Opens SEC Play At Nusz Park Against South Carolina

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Reis Beuerlein

Chloe Malau'ulu

Josey Marron

Aspen Wesley

Mississippi State University Athletics

State Opens SEC Play At Nusz Park Against South Carolina

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Reis Beuerlein

Chloe Malau'ulu

Josey Marron

Aspen Wesley

Related Videos