Closing It Out In The Circle
May 06, 2024 | Softball
STARKVILLE – For Mississippi State pitcher Aspen Wesley, her ninth SEC win of the season meant much more than just tying the school record.
The series victory over No. 12 Georgia was years of hard work and dedication in the Maroon and White paying off. Wesley earned SEC Pitcher of the Week Honors by recording 16 strikeouts over the weekend while also holding the SEC's leading home run team without a homer through 14.0 innings of work.
With the Mississippi sun beating down from the clear blue skies, Wesley was determined to finish out her last game in Starkville on a high note.
"We're all exhausted from the past two days. It's hot. We're tired. Today, I woke up and couldn't even get out of bed," Wesley said on Sunday. "But I told myself this is my last day here at Nusz Park, and I am going to do everything that I can, even if my arm falls off."
The right-hander from Philadelphia, Mississippi, left it all in the circle for the Maroon and White in Sunday's rubber match. She struck out eight and allowed just one run on four hits to record her 19th career complete game and secure the 2-1 victory over UGA.
Throughout the contest, five years of bonds formed with her teammates and coaches propelled every pitch.
"I told my team that I was going to do everything that I can to help them and have their backs," Wesley said. "We're all really excited for the postseason, and I am glad we could go out [at Nusz Park] with a bang."
With her impressive outings against one of the best offenses in the conference, Wesley became the first Bulldog pitcher in school history to hold SEC hitters below a .200 batting average for a season.
The tears streaming down the talented veteran's face in the post-game interview on the SEC Network displayed just what it meant for Wesley to secure the series win alongside her teammates, coaches, friends and family.
"I love this team so much. They mean everything to me," Wesley said. "We are building something here, and it's amazing. The way we came out with a bang and played our hearts out is all I could ask for."
Wesley closed out the regular season in her final year at State with a career-high 122 strikeouts, 115.2 innings pitched and three shutouts, including her first career no-hitter against in-state rival Ole Miss.
Head coach Samantha Ricketts noted Wesley performance in what may prove to be her final games at Nusz Park and the growth she's seen from her fifth-year pitcher.
"I thought she was masterful this weekend in the way she was mixing pitches and speeds," Ricketts said. "She even threw some pitches she hasn't thrown all year, and she was throwing them for strikes. It was fun to see her confidence in the pitch calls and Coach T [Taryne Mowatt-McKinney]. She really showed why she has been so strong and such an ace for us all year long."
Having an ace like Wesley will be key when MSU begins postseason play this week. With the series win over UGA, State secured the No. 6 seed in the SEC Tournament and will face No. 11-seed South Carolina on Wednesday.
For State's ace and her teammates, the job is not finished.
"Going into that game we're all really excited," Wesley said. "It's the start of postseason. You win a game, you keep on going. You lose a game, you're out. It gives you a good feel for the NCAA Tournament, and I am really excited to see what we can do."
The series victory over No. 12 Georgia was years of hard work and dedication in the Maroon and White paying off. Wesley earned SEC Pitcher of the Week Honors by recording 16 strikeouts over the weekend while also holding the SEC's leading home run team without a homer through 14.0 innings of work.
With the Mississippi sun beating down from the clear blue skies, Wesley was determined to finish out her last game in Starkville on a high note.
"We're all exhausted from the past two days. It's hot. We're tired. Today, I woke up and couldn't even get out of bed," Wesley said on Sunday. "But I told myself this is my last day here at Nusz Park, and I am going to do everything that I can, even if my arm falls off."
The right-hander from Philadelphia, Mississippi, left it all in the circle for the Maroon and White in Sunday's rubber match. She struck out eight and allowed just one run on four hits to record her 19th career complete game and secure the 2-1 victory over UGA.
This one just means more ❤️@aspen_wes | #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/oLaCoVGvYN
— Mississippi State Softball (@HailStateSB) May 5, 2024
Throughout the contest, five years of bonds formed with her teammates and coaches propelled every pitch.
"I told my team that I was going to do everything that I can to help them and have their backs," Wesley said. "We're all really excited for the postseason, and I am glad we could go out [at Nusz Park] with a bang."
With her impressive outings against one of the best offenses in the conference, Wesley became the first Bulldog pitcher in school history to hold SEC hitters below a .200 batting average for a season.
The tears streaming down the talented veteran's face in the post-game interview on the SEC Network displayed just what it meant for Wesley to secure the series win alongside her teammates, coaches, friends and family.
"I love this team so much. They mean everything to me," Wesley said. "We are building something here, and it's amazing. The way we came out with a bang and played our hearts out is all I could ask for."
Wesley closed out the regular season in her final year at State with a career-high 122 strikeouts, 115.2 innings pitched and three shutouts, including her first career no-hitter against in-state rival Ole Miss.
Head coach Samantha Ricketts noted Wesley performance in what may prove to be her final games at Nusz Park and the growth she's seen from her fifth-year pitcher.
"I thought she was masterful this weekend in the way she was mixing pitches and speeds," Ricketts said. "She even threw some pitches she hasn't thrown all year, and she was throwing them for strikes. It was fun to see her confidence in the pitch calls and Coach T [Taryne Mowatt-McKinney]. She really showed why she has been so strong and such an ace for us all year long."
Having an ace like Wesley will be key when MSU begins postseason play this week. With the series win over UGA, State secured the No. 6 seed in the SEC Tournament and will face No. 11-seed South Carolina on Wednesday.
For State's ace and her teammates, the job is not finished.
"Going into that game we're all really excited," Wesley said. "It's the start of postseason. You win a game, you keep on going. You lose a game, you're out. It gives you a good feel for the NCAA Tournament, and I am really excited to see what we can do."
Players Mentioned
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