Bulldogs Run Ranked Winning Streak To Four Games Against No. 13 Utah

Saturday, February 17

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

7:00 PM

Mississippi State

8-0

#13 Utah

4-4

Mississippi State

Utah

Bulldogs Run Ranked Winning Streak To Four Games Against No. 13 Utah

February 17, 2024 | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Brian Ogden, Associate Director/Communications

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – The Bulldogs are hot.

Mississippi State softball defeated No. 13 Utah in run-rule fashion on Saturday night, marking its fourth ranked win in as many games. The Bulldogs claimed a 10-2 victory in six innings, scoring double-digit runs for the third time this season and registering their fifth run-rule victory of the year.

"Great win for the Dawgs," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "I thought Josey [Marron] did a good job of bouncing back after the first and giving us a quality start. I really liked Lexi [Sosa] coming in to close the door behind her after a shift in the momentum. Another outstanding job by our lineup, contributing top to bottom and with at-bats off the bench. I thought it was a lot of people doing well in their role and putting together quality at-bats."

After falling behind thanks to two errors in the first inning, State responded with a three-run homer from Jessie Blaine. The Bulldogs then sent nine batters to the plate in the fifth, highlighted by a two-run double from Salen Hawkins. In the very next frame, Hawkins answered a Utah homer with her second two-run double in as many innings. State also got RBI singles from Aquana Brownlee, Matalasi Faapito and Ella Wesolowski.

Marron continued her winning ways. She threw 4.1 innings, allowing just one earned run. The Bulldogs are 14-2 in her 16 career starts.

Quotables

Jessie Blaine on the importance of getting out to a quick start offensively…
"It's so important to get an early start, to jump on teams with big names, to get the energy flowing and the game moving in the right direction for us. It helps to get the energy moving on these tournament days when the days are long and the sun is hot. But the game is moving in the right direction for us, and we like to build that momentum."

Salen Hawkins on what she saw on her two doubles…
"I was just being more patient and making sure I didn't swing at anything bad, waiting for my pitch to drive. Ricketts told me what to look for, and I made sure to get more of the bottom half of it instead of on top when usually it would drop. I was just listening to Ricketts and staying locked in."

Salen Hawkins on the team's enthusiasm in the dugout…
"I think it helps that we all like each other a lot. We have a good team camaraderie, and that makes it easier to play for each other and support each other. So yeah, we're going be enthusiastic for each other because we all love each other and want what's best for each other."

Quick Hitters

The Magic Number – MSU has scored at least five runs in all but one game this season … State is 56-2 since the start of 2022 when scoring at least five runs.

Nadia Barbary – Has now hit safely in five straight games … is hitting .438 (7-for-16) during the streak … also drew a walk and was hit by a pitch to reach in all three trips … has reached base in all eight games this season.

Jessie Blaine – Extended her career-long hitting streak to eight games, dating back to last year ,,, hit a three-run homer … hitting .542 (13-for-24) over the streak with 12 RBIs and four extra-base hits … has reached base in all eight games this year.

Salen Hawkins – Delivered two two-run doubles in consecutive innings for her first career multi-RBI game … game was also the second multi-hit game of her career.

Madisyn Kennedy – Doubled for the second straight game.

Josey Marron – Picked up her third straight win … allowed just one earned run … State is now 14-2 in her starts for her career.

Scoring Recap

Bottom 1
With one out, Leilani Melendez singled through the left side. She advanced to third on Julia Jimenez's ground out to third. Kaylah Nelsen reached when the first baseman dropped the throw across the diamond, allowing Melendez to reach third with two outs. She scored on a single to left field by Karlie Davison.
Mississippi State 0, No. 13 Utah 1

Top 3
Sierra Sacco and Nadia Barbary opened the inning with a pair of walks before Jessie Blaine launched a three-run homer.
Mississippi State 3, No. 13 Utah 1

Top 5
Barbary was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame. Paige Cook doubled off the right field wall, pushing Barbary to third. Blaine reached on a fielder's choice as Barbary was tagged out between third and home. Madisyn Kennedy was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Salen Hawkins then doubled to right-center field, but was caught in a rundown between second and third. Cook and Blaine scored on the play, and Kennedy was left at third. Aquana Brownlee singled to left, scoring Kennedy, and Kiarra Sells pinch ran for her at first. Kylee Edwards walked, pushing Sells to second. Sells scored on a Matalasi Faapito single into left.
Mississippi State 7, No. 13 Utah 1

Bottom 5
With one out, Aliya Belarde homered to right field.
Mississippi State 7, No. 13 Utah 2

Top 6
With two outs, Blaine and Riley Hull collected back-to-back singles. Hawkins then doubled both runners home again. She then scored on Ella Wesolowski's single up the middle.
Mississippi State 10, No. 13 Utah 2

Next Up

Mississippi State closes its time in Mexico on Sunday morning against UC Davis. The game was rained out on Friday but will now be played at 8:30 a.m. CT on Sunday.

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