Forever Maroon and White
April 29, 2023 | Softball
MSU softball’s seniors have provided lifelong memories for the Bulldog family.
STARKVILLE – Five talented Mississippi State seniors stepped on the field for possibly the last time at Nusz Park this weekend, but the foundation they helped build will be remembered for years to come.
Their hard work and dedication allowed the Bulldogs to accomplish historic feats, setting the groundwork for the future of the MSU softball program.
Head coach Samantha Ricketts discussed what it meant for the team to honor those seniors Saturday and to have both Jackie McKenna and Shea Moreno blast huge home runs in the series win over Kentucky.
"It's so special. We always talk about [there being] a little bit of senior day magic," Ricketts said. "To be able to pick up [our] pitchers from the early innings I thought was huge. They weren't going up there trying to hit home runs, it was just [an approach of], 'What can I do for the team?'"
As McKenna, Moreno and the rest of the seniors embark on their next journeys in life, the time they spent playing their hearts out for the Maroon and White will be cherished forever.
#7 Anna Kate Segars
Outfielder Anna Kate Segars' service to the MSU softball program and her involvement in the community has been exceptional.
Segars has volunteered with local sports leagues and has also been tremendously successful academically, earning SEC Honor Roll every year since arriving on the campus of Mississippi State.
Segars has recorded 42 hits, 30 RBIs and five homers in her career up to this point. Her best performance as a Bulldog came against Memphis in 2021 when Segars was a double shy of the cycle and recorded a career-high three RBIs. No matter the adversity she faced, Segars has always found a way to conquer it.
#14 Chloe Malau'ulu
'Captain' Chloe has played an integral role at the plate and in the field for the Bulldogs since her arrival in 2019. Malau'ulu solidified her spot as one of the most talented outfielders in the Southeastern Conference by displaying her athletic ability through diving catches and clutch hits.
In her collegiate career, Malau'ulu has so far recorded 177 hits, 86 RBI and 19 home runs. She also leads the team in doubles, triples and has recorded 14 multi-hit games in 2023.
One of the biggest hits during her time in the Maroon and White came in the Tallahassee Regional against Florida State in 2022 when Malau'ulu delivered a two-run single that turned out to be the game-winning swing in the championship game.
#31 Grace Fagan
MSU softball has had many talented pitchers take the circle in recent years, and the graduate from Swedesboro, New Jersey is one of them.
Grace Fagan has played a tremendous role in the pitching rotation for the Bulldogs, securing a record of 20-11 in 194.1 innings pitched with 193 career strikeouts. The biggest game of Fagan's career came against NC State in 2020 where she struck out eight batters and only allowed one hit in a complete game victory.
Fagan has also done exceptionally well in the classroom, securing SEC Honor Roll every year at MSU. She also represented the Bulldogs as a member of the 2021 SEC Community Service Team and was an NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete in 2022.
#42 Shea Moreno
Infielder Shea Moreno has notably been one of the most clutch hitters on the MSU roster. Moreno helped the Bulldogs capture a series win over the Wildcats on senior day with a go-ahead grand slam in the bottom of the fifth inning. After securing the series win over No. 20 Kentucky, Moreno talked about her approach at the plate during her grand at-bat.
"I was really just looking for a pitch that I can drive," Moreno said. "[Graduate student coach] Mia [Davidson] and Coach Ricketts talked to me a lot before my at-bat. [They were] just looking for what the most successful pitch would be and I just waited for the pitch, was patient and drove it."
Since her arrival in 2022, Moreno has recorded 45 hits, 25 RBI and four homers for the Bulldogs. She was named to the 2022 SEC First-Year Honor Roll, while also volunteering with Project R.I.D.E which provides equestrian therapy to children and adults with special needs.
#44 Jackie McKenna
As the workhorse behind the plate, Jackie McKenna has proved her versatility and talent every time she steps on the diamond.
McKenna has played every position in the outfield along with first base and catcher during her time at MSU. Like Moreno, McKenna came up with clutch hits to help the Bulldogs conquer the Wildcats.
Following the win, McKenna talked about the importance of being able to play for Mississippi State softball.
"It's meant a lot. It's changed my life," McKenna said. "I honestly never thought I'd be here and have the opportunity to come play for the Maroon and White. I couldn't ask for anything more."
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Their hard work and dedication allowed the Bulldogs to accomplish historic feats, setting the groundwork for the future of the MSU softball program.
Head coach Samantha Ricketts discussed what it meant for the team to honor those seniors Saturday and to have both Jackie McKenna and Shea Moreno blast huge home runs in the series win over Kentucky.
"It's so special. We always talk about [there being] a little bit of senior day magic," Ricketts said. "To be able to pick up [our] pitchers from the early innings I thought was huge. They weren't going up there trying to hit home runs, it was just [an approach of], 'What can I do for the team?'"
As McKenna, Moreno and the rest of the seniors embark on their next journeys in life, the time they spent playing their hearts out for the Maroon and White will be cherished forever.
#7 Anna Kate Segars
Outfielder Anna Kate Segars' service to the MSU softball program and her involvement in the community has been exceptional.
Segars has volunteered with local sports leagues and has also been tremendously successful academically, earning SEC Honor Roll every year since arriving on the campus of Mississippi State.
Segars has recorded 42 hits, 30 RBIs and five homers in her career up to this point. Her best performance as a Bulldog came against Memphis in 2021 when Segars was a double shy of the cycle and recorded a career-high three RBIs. No matter the adversity she faced, Segars has always found a way to conquer it.
#14 Chloe Malau'ulu
'Captain' Chloe has played an integral role at the plate and in the field for the Bulldogs since her arrival in 2019. Malau'ulu solidified her spot as one of the most talented outfielders in the Southeastern Conference by displaying her athletic ability through diving catches and clutch hits.
In her collegiate career, Malau'ulu has so far recorded 177 hits, 86 RBI and 19 home runs. She also leads the team in doubles, triples and has recorded 14 multi-hit games in 2023.
One of the biggest hits during her time in the Maroon and White came in the Tallahassee Regional against Florida State in 2022 when Malau'ulu delivered a two-run single that turned out to be the game-winning swing in the championship game.
#31 Grace Fagan
MSU softball has had many talented pitchers take the circle in recent years, and the graduate from Swedesboro, New Jersey is one of them.
Grace Fagan has played a tremendous role in the pitching rotation for the Bulldogs, securing a record of 20-11 in 194.1 innings pitched with 193 career strikeouts. The biggest game of Fagan's career came against NC State in 2020 where she struck out eight batters and only allowed one hit in a complete game victory.
Fagan has also done exceptionally well in the classroom, securing SEC Honor Roll every year at MSU. She also represented the Bulldogs as a member of the 2021 SEC Community Service Team and was an NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete in 2022.
#42 Shea Moreno
Infielder Shea Moreno has notably been one of the most clutch hitters on the MSU roster. Moreno helped the Bulldogs capture a series win over the Wildcats on senior day with a go-ahead grand slam in the bottom of the fifth inning. After securing the series win over No. 20 Kentucky, Moreno talked about her approach at the plate during her grand at-bat.
"I was really just looking for a pitch that I can drive," Moreno said. "[Graduate student coach] Mia [Davidson] and Coach Ricketts talked to me a lot before my at-bat. [They were] just looking for what the most successful pitch would be and I just waited for the pitch, was patient and drove it."
Since her arrival in 2022, Moreno has recorded 45 hits, 25 RBI and four homers for the Bulldogs. She was named to the 2022 SEC First-Year Honor Roll, while also volunteering with Project R.I.D.E which provides equestrian therapy to children and adults with special needs.
#44 Jackie McKenna
As the workhorse behind the plate, Jackie McKenna has proved her versatility and talent every time she steps on the diamond.
McKenna has played every position in the outfield along with first base and catcher during her time at MSU. Like Moreno, McKenna came up with clutch hits to help the Bulldogs conquer the Wildcats.
Following the win, McKenna talked about the importance of being able to play for Mississippi State softball.
"It's meant a lot. It's changed my life," McKenna said. "I honestly never thought I'd be here and have the opportunity to come play for the Maroon and White. I couldn't ask for anything more."
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Players Mentioned
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