State Drops First Game Of The Year To UC Davis

Sunday, February 18

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

8:30 AM

Mississippi State

8-1

UC Davis

3-4

Mississippi State

UC Davis

State Drops First Game Of The Year To UC Davis

February 18, 2024 | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Brian Ogden, Associate Director/Communications

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – Mississippi State softball dropped a tight ballgame in walk-off fashion to UC Davis on Sunday morning. Returning to the field less than 12 hours after completing a Saturday doubleheader, the Bulldogs fell, 2-1, to the Aggies.

With the game tied in the seventh inning, Sarah Nakahara lifted a ball down the left field line where it was lost in the sun and fell in for a leadoff double. After a sacrifice bunt and a lineout, Nakahara scored from third on a two-out single into right.

"Tip your cap to UC Davis. They played and pitched a great game," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "We knew it was going to be a challenge off a quick turnaround from yesterday's games. They're a scrappy team, but we're looking to bounce back next week. We have another challenge in front of us, but overall, we like what we've seen from the girls in terms of composure, the pitching staff and the bats. We're ready to get back on the field and bounce back in California."

The Aggies (3-4) opened the scoring in the first with the help of a throwing error on a pickoff attempt. State (8-1) responded in the third by loading the bases for Aquana Brownlee. Brownlee reached safely on a fielder's choice as Nadia Barbary scored.

The Bulldogs left 10 runners on base, including multiple runners in four innings.

Matalasi Faapito threw a complete game, striking out seven. It was her eighth career complete game when allowing less than two runs.

Quick Hitters
Jessie Blaine – Drew a walk and has reached base in all nine games this year.

Aquana Brownlee – Drove in MSU's lone run, reaching on a fielder's choice.

Paige Cook – Went 2-for-3 for her 35th career multi-hit game … added a walk.

Kylee Edwards – Went 2-for-3 with a double and a triple … posted her second career multi-hit game.

Matalasi Faapito – Threw a complete game, striking out seven … it was her eighth career complete game when allowing two runs or less … also singled in her lone at-bat.

Scoring Recap
Bottom 1
Anna Dethelson drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a throwing error when the catcher tried to pick her off. Libbie McMahan dropped a sacrifice bunt to move Dethelson to third. She scored on Leah Polson's ground out to short.
Mississippi State 0, UC Davis 1

Top 3
Sierra Sacco walked to open the frame, but she was retired at second when Nadia Barbary reached on a fielder's choice. Paige Cook singled to center, moving Barbary to second. Jessie Blaine walked to load the bases with one out. Aquana Brownlee reached on a fielder's choice as Blaine was thrown out at second and Barbary scored.
Mississippi State 1, UC Davis 1

Bottom 7
Sarah Nakahara lifted a ball down the left field line that was lost in the sun and fell in for a double. She was bunted to third base by pinch hitter Bri Weekes. Following a lineout to second, Grace Kilday singled down the right field line to score Nakahara.
Mississippi State 1, UC Davis 2

Next Up
The Bulldogs remain on the road next week, playing five games at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Feb. 22-24 in Cathedral City, California. State is slated to open that tournament against UCF and Notre Dame on Thursday, Feb. 22. The Bulldogs will meet top-ranked Oklahoma on Friday before closing the tournament with games against Cal State Fullerton and Fresno State on Saturday, Feb. 24.

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