Kennedy Becomes Second Bulldog To Sign Professionally In 2024

BRADENTON, Fla. – Mississippi State's Madisyn Kennedy has signed a professional contract with the independent Florida Vibe, the organization announced on Tuesday evening.

She becomes the 25th professional player in program history, and the second member of the 2024 class to continue her career after college, joining Brylie St. Clair who signed with the Texas Monarchs in Women's Pro Fastpitch earlier this week.

Head coach Samantha Ricketts has now mentored 13 pros over her decade-plus spent in Starkville. Notably, with Kennedy's signing, Ricketts' first two teams as head coach in 2020 and 2021 had six future pros on the roster (Fa Leilua, Mia Davidson-Smith, Annie Willis, Chloe Malau'ulu, St. Clair and Kennedy).

"We are incredibly proud of Madi for continuing her career as a professional softball player," Ricketts said. "This was one of the goals Madi set at the beginning of the year, and to see her hard work pay off throughout the season and beyond is extremely special to witness."

An All-American in her final season, Kennedy closed her career on a high note. She was second team selection by both the NFCA and D1Softball and earned First Team All-SEC honors. At the end of her career, the Montgomery, Alabama, native ranked second in school history with 14 career NCAA Tournament starts and fifth in career NCAA Tournament RBIs.

Her final season saw the former shortstop transform into a slugging first baseman. Kennedy became the fourth member of the 40-homer club at Mississippi State, hitting 17 in 2024, including a single-season school-record nine in conference play. She ranked 23rd nationally in RBIs/game (1.08) this spring and 26th in slugging percentage (.792).

"I am so honored and blessed to have the opportunity to play professionally," Kennedy said. "This was a dream of mine since I was little, but to be frank I was content with my career after this season before this came about. When this opportunity came, it was an answered prayer, and I am incredibly grateful. I am thankful for my time at Mississippi State and am looking forward to an incredible summer with the Florida Vibe. The Lord has blessed me abundantly and being able to continue my softball career with the Vibe is another blessing. I will continue to glorify him in all I do."

Professional softball in the United States consists of three main bodies. The Association of Fastpitch Professionals (AFP), Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Athletes Unlimited (AU).

Kennedy will have the opportunity to go head-to-head with former teammates Leilua and Malau'ulu who remain active with the Oklahoma City Spark this summer. The teams will meet at the Scenic City Pro Cup hosted by the AFP in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on June 19-21. The AFP consists of four independent member teams including the New York Rise and the Chattanooga Steam.

Davidson-Smith splits her time between Athletes Unlimited, where athletes compete as individuals and teams change each week, and Denso Bright Pegasus in the Japan Diamond League. She also represents her country as a member of the United States Women's National Team.

The full WPF schedule, including St. Clair's schedule with the Monarchs, will be announced at a later date.

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

Mississippi State University Athletics

Kennedy Becomes Second Bulldog To Sign Professionally In 2024

Players Mentioned

Madisyn Kennedy

Chloe Malau'ulu

Brylie St. Clair

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