Ricketts Inks Former Team USA Member Blaine

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State head coach Samantha Ricketts has signed Jessie Blaine, a transfer catcher from Auburn, to the Bulldogs' 2024 class.

Blaine, who attended four different high schools as a member of a military family, has a tie to the Bulldogs in pitcher Josey Marron. The pair were batterymates with Iowa Premier Gold Fastpitch on the travel ball circuit.

"We are thrilled to add a player of Jessie's caliber to our roster," Ricketts said. "She will make an immediate impact in our lineup and on defense. Jessie comes from a military family and brings the discipline and hard-working mentality it takes to succeed at this level. I am looking forward to her leadership on the field as well as reuniting her with her former travel ball batterymate in Josey."

Blaine played in 110 games while on the Plains, starting 86 games primarily as the Tigers' designated player. She also saw time at catcher, right field, left field and first base. She posted a .444 slugging percentage and .374 on-base percentage in two years with Auburn, collecting 11 homers, five doubles and three triples.

In her freshman season, Blaine was among the top five Auburn players in RBIs (37), triples (2), home runs (9) and total bases (75). Her triples and homers ranked fourth among freshmen in Auburn history, and her slugging percentage (.547) and RBIs were fifth. Six of her nine long balls came in conference play.

She was named the SEC Freshman of the Week after collecting a career-high four RBIs in back-to-back games of a series win against South Carolina. She went 4-for-9 with two homers in the series. Additionally, she led the team in walks for the year with 25 free passes.

Blaine drew 17 walks and collected 25 hits in 2023. She turned in an error-free campaign, and she is responsible for just one error in her career while playing in the outfield.

"In talking to Coach Ricketts and her players, they described a blue-collar culture of hard work at Mississippi State," Blaine said. "I found a program that will put in the work while loving the game and bettering each other."

Like her former and now future teammate Marron, Blaine was selected to play in The Alliance All-Star Game representing Iowa Premier Gold. She also brings international experience to Starkville, having played behind the plate for Team USA on the U17 National Team that won gold at the 2019 Pan American Games.

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

Mississippi State University Athletics

Ricketts Inks Former Team USA Member Blaine

Players Mentioned

Josey Marron

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