State Claims Third Straight Ranked Win, Downing No. 8 Clemson

Saturday, February 17

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2:00 PM

Mississippi State

7-0

#8 Clemson

6-2

Mississippi State

Clemson

State Claims Third Straight Ranked Win, Downing No. 8 Clemson

February 17, 2024 | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Brian Ogden, Associate Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State defeated No. 8 Clemson, 6-3, on Saturday afternoon in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The Bulldogs scored early and never looked back, adding to their lead with the help of four Tiger errors.

Aspen Wesley threw her second complete game of the week, and her second against a ranked team. She struck out a season-high eight, coming one shy of her career high in the process.

"Another fifth-year senior for us, and it's been so fun to see her really come into her own," head coach Samantha Ricketts said of Wesley. "I think she's now starting to show everyone what we've known about her all along and that's how talented she is. She's doing a great job working with Coach T [Taryne Mowatt-McKinney] and really mixing pitches and speeds and really keeping really potent lineups off base."

Madisyn Kennedy drove in three runs with a two-run homer and a double. Jessie Blaine also brought a runner home with a single. State plated two runs on errors by two different pitchers in the fourth and sixth.

State (7-0) plated five runs against Clemson's (6-2) Valerie Cagle, who is the reigning National Player of the Year. The sixth run that scored was also Cagle's responsibility.

Seven of State's nine starters collected hits, four of which were for extra bases.

Quotables

Samantha Ricketts on her message during MSU's ranked winning streak…
"The message has been the same, to prove ourselves right. We know the work that we've put in to get here, and we just need to trust what's going on in our dugout. I think they're doing a great job of playing composed, mature, and sticking to the gameplan. They're really attacking on both sides of the ball."

Samantha Ricketts on Madisyn Kennedy's day at the plate…
"I think Madi has been very confident. It's fun to see a fifth-year senior and her composure. That's a great pitcher on the other side that we faced, but we know that's something that Madi really does well with – the gameplan that she throws into. She went up there, stuck to her plan and really put a great swing on it."

Quick Hitters

Upset Dawgs – State has now won three straight against ranked opponents, marking the third streak of at least three games under head coach Samantha Ricketts … State's defeat of the No. 8 Tigers is its highest ranked win since sweeping No. 2 Florida State in the 2022 NCAA Tournament.

Taking Every Opportunity – Seven of nine starters collected a hit.

Jessie Blaine – Extended her career-long hitting streak to seven games, dating back to last year … added an RBI.

Aquana Brownlee – Collected a double, her first extra-base hit of the year.

Madisyn Kennedy – Hit a two-run homer in the second … now boasts 25 career homers, which ranks ninth in school history … added a double and finished with three RBIs … marked her 13th career game with three or more RBIs.

Aspen Wesley – Struck out a season-high eight, one shy of her career high … tossed her second complete game of the season and the ninth of her career.

Scoring Recap

Top 2
Salen Hawkins drew a leadoff walk before Madisyn Kennedy launched a home run to left-center field.
Mississippi State 2, No. 8 Clemson 0

Top 4
Aquana Brownlee opened the inning with a double down the right field line. Jadyn Burney pinch ran at second. With two outs, Kylee Edwards reached on a throwing error by the pitcher that allowed Burney to score from second.
Mississippi State 3, No. 8 Clemson 0

Top 5
Sierra Sacco drew a leadoff walk. She advanced to second on a ground out by Nadia Barbary and took third on Paige Cook's ground out. Jessie Blaine brought her home with a single to center.
Mississippi State 4, No. 8 Clemson 0

Bottom 5
Aby Vieria singled through the right side to lead off the inning. With one out, McKenzie Clark singled into center field, and Vieria took second. Both runners scored on a sacrifice bunt from Alex Brown when the pitcher's throw sailed up the first base line.
Mississippi State 4, No. 8 Clemson 2

Top 6
Hawkins beat out an infield single to shortstop, and Kennedy followed with a double down the left field line. Morgan Bernardini came in to run at second. Following a pitching change, Edwards flew out to center for the first out. Brylie St. Clair walked to put runners on first and second. Sacco singled to center to load the bases. Nadia Barbary hit a grounder to the pitcher, and Bernardini was forced out at the plate. Cook popped up a ball that the pitcher dropped, scoring St. Clair from third.
Mississippi State 6, No. 8 Clemson 2

Bottom 7
With one out, Clark hit a solo home run.
Mississippi State 6, No. 8 Clemson 3

Next Up

Mississippi State will return to Nancy Almaraz Field at 7 p.m. CT to face No. 13/16 Utah. The game is available on FloSoftball with a subscription.

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