Circling Back For More

STARKVILLE – When faced with one of many curveballs life can throw, Josey Marron dusted her jersey off and got back up.

In her first year in the Maroon and White, Marron battled back from a mid-season injury and displayed her talent and determination against SEC competition.

"Josey as a freshman last year has some pretty big innings for us," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "[She] had a little bit of an injury in SEC play, but she was one that stayed here this summer to rehab and just get back even stronger than she was before."

The Grimes, Iowa, native made waves across the college softball landscape as one of the most impressive freshman pitchers in the country. Marron recorded 95 strikeouts in 79.1 innings pitched and finished the regular season among the top 45 nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio, strikeouts per seven innings, strikeout rate and fielding-independent pitching.

Although Marron racked up accolades for her accomplishments in the circle, not hearing the Bulldogs called to compete in the NCAA Tournament gave her motivation to make this year a comeback season.

"You never forget the feeling of not hearing your name called on Selection Sunday," Marron said. "It's been in the back of my mind and it's been in the minds of a lot of the returners. Over the course of the offseason, the comeback season is what we're looking for [because] last year was not the standard that we expect of ourselves."

While Marron was rehabbing her injuries over the offseason in hopes of avoiding any more in the future, MSU hired a new pitching coach in the form of tenured professional Taryne Mowatt-McKinney, a former Women's College World Series MVP and two-time ESPY winner.

Learning from someone who has been under a plethora of intense, high-pressure moments like Mowatt-McKinney has helped Marron tremendously.

"Coach T is amazing [and] she played the game herself on the highest level," Marron said. "She does a really good job of putting herself in our shoes and really trying to help us grow and see from our points of view and understand how to communicate with us so that we can best learn and make adjustments from her."

In her first year competing at the collegiate level, Marron gained important experience playing against the best teams in the country. She ranked top-10 in the SEC in six statistical categories while learning valuable lessons in the circle against the top conference in the nation.

"In the moment, you're not even really thinking about how big the stage is that you're on, you're thinking about just doing what you can for the team," Marron said. "We all put in all the work that we possibly can in the offseason to prepare for those big moments and so when they do come in, you look back and you see the support of your entire defense [and] in the dugout and that was a huge help in those high-pressure situations."

Alongside Marron on the State pitching staff is a talented supporting cast that includes returning veterans Aspen Wesley and Matalasi Faapito. While the Bulldogs bring back experience, Marron has also been able to welcome an entourage of newcomers to the pitching staff in Starkville this season.

"The one thing I've noticed, especially with the freshmen, is that they're not scared at all," Marron said of this year's pitching staff. "They have come in and haven't skipped a beat. They're really good about asking questions and not being afraid to speak up. The group chemistry in the bullpen is amazing."

Marron knows what it's like to be in their shoes. It was only a year ago that she too was stepping into the circle in the SEC for the first time. When faced with adversity, injuries and adapting to a new environment, MSU gave Marron a family to support her every step of the way and make her feel at home. It's something she'll try to provide for the next crop of talented arms arriving in Starkville as well.

"I love it here. I'm far from home, but the South is amazing. It is really one big family down here," Marron said. "Whether it's the coaches, the players, professors, or any of the support staff, it's one big family. Everyone here really cares about the person first and puts your well-being as a priority above anything else, which is huge."

Mississippi State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Matalasi Faapito

Josey Marron

Aspen Wesley

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