Both Sides Of The Game

STARKVILLE – The ability to perform in the circle and at the plate is helping members of the Mississippi State softball pitching staff gain insight beyond their pitching duties.

Taking in the perspective from both sides has provided two-way players like Matalasi Faapito with a unique step up against the competition.

"I feel like pitchers that can hit have a bigger advantage because we read spins, and we know pitchers' tendencies," Faapito said. "When we go into the box, I'm reading if she's doing a rise ball, if it's breaking late, if it's breaking early or if it's a change-up. Being a hitter as a pitcher is a big threat to any team."

Having the ability to perform at the plate and in the circle has advantages, but also requires commitment and an extensive amount of hard work.

From the hitting to the pitching stations, every day that Delainey Everett walks into MSU's extravagant softball facility is an opportunity to hone her skills as she strives to succeed in both aspects.

"Being a pitcher, you're not really known for hitting," Everett said regarding two-way players. "That is one thing I really take pride in, and I want to get better at. Being in the lineup, not only for pitching but for hitting, is something that I strive to do, and I work really hard for."

The offseason addition of tenured pitching coach Taryne Mowatt-McKinney has provided the MSU pitching staff with a tremendous amount of insight into different aspects of the game and is helping establish a routine for the Bulldogs.

"It is definitely a lot of fun [and] having great coaches like Coach T and Coach Ricketts definitely helped [me] implement a plan and a routine," UCLA transfer Lexi Sosa said about Mowatt-McKinney's implemented routines at practice. "I just show up every day with a smile on my face, have fun and do my best every single time."

Before she began her coaching career, Mowatt-McKinney established herself as one of the most thrilling pitchers in collegiate softball for her alma mater, Arizona.

In the Wildcats' 2007 National Championship victory over Tennessee at the Women's College World Series, Mowatt-McKinney was named MVP for her efforts. She achieved historic feats, setting the record for strikeouts in the WCWS.

While Mowatt-McKinney performed lights out in the circle, she also could swing the bat and provide a spark offensively when called upon. In her sophomore season, she was sent up to the plate for 31 at-bats and posted a .387 average with a pair of doubles and a home run.

Mowatt-McKinney's arrival at MSU has already made an exponential impact on the Bulldogs' pitching staff. Her experience in the circle and in the batter's box also comes with multiple inspiring stories during her time as a player.

"One of her [stories] she was talking about was in the WCWS and she got one at-bat and hit a home run," Everett said. "Before that, her dad promised her a car if she were to hit a home run. It was one of her only at-bats and she hit a home run, so she got a free car for it."

The physical and mental aspects of the sport are equally as important. Establishing confidence is key to setting up success in the circle and at the plate, especially for two-way players.

"I try to put them into situations where they can be successful," Mowatt-McKinney said. "Sometimes that's not always doable, but I want to make sure that I'm not throwing them into situations that they're not ready for. They need to build that confidence because it is a different game at this level."

Mississippi State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Delainey Everett

Matalasi Faapito

Lexi Sosa

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