Bulldogs Sign Transfer, Former Team USA U-18 Pitcher Chaffin

STARKVILLE – Raelin Chaffin, who spent the first three seasons of her college career at LSU, has signed with Mississippi State out of the transfer portal, head coach Samantha Ricketts announced on Friday.

Chaffin was ranked as high as the No. 28 player in the portal nationally this summer by Softball America, and she was previously the No. 14 player in the class of 2021 according to Extra Inning Softball when she originally signed with the Tigers. The Bossier City, Louisiana, native brings a wealth of experience to Starkville, having won the WBSC U-18 Softball World Cup with Team USA in 2021 and played in the NCAA Tournament every year of her career.

"We are thrilled to welcome veteran pitcher Raelin Chaffin to Starkville and our pitching staff," Ricketts said. "She brings valuable SEC experience and embodies the Bulldog mentality we were seeking. We look forward to having her on campus and working with Coach T [Taryne Mowatt-McKinney] in the bullpen this fall."

Chaffin made 23 appearances for LSU this season and was second on the team with 11 wins. She tossed four complete games, including three shutouts, helping the Tigers climb to a No. 1 national ranking during the season. In 2023, she went 6-1 with four complete games and posted a career-best 2.74 ERA.

She made an immediate impact in Baton Rouge, posting a 6-2 record as a freshman and winning SEC Freshman of the Week that year after coming one batter shy of a complete game against then-No. 2 Alabama.

"I'm super excited to join this team, and I'm so thankful to the coaching staff for giving me this opportunity," Chaffin said. "I'm looking forward to everything Mississippi State has to offer. The best is yet to come."

The right-hander was an anchor for Airline High School, taking them to the state championship game as a senior where she took her only loss in a 17-1 season that saw her post a 0.15 ERA and toss a perfect game in the opening round of the playoffs. On the travel ball circuit, she was named First Team All-Alliance in 2021 after helping Bombers Gold win the 2021 Colorado Sparkler and turning in a 1.07 ERA with a 0.80 WHIP in 85.1 innings.

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

Mississippi State University Athletics

Bulldogs Sign Transfer, Former Team USA U-18 Pitcher Chaffin

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