Faapito Remaining In Starkville As Graduate Assistant
August 21, 2024 | Softball
STARKVILLE – Matalasi Faapito, who exhausted her eligibility with the Mississippi State softball team this spring, will remain on staff as a graduate assistant entering the 2024-25 academic year, head coach Samantha Ricketts announced on Wednesday.
Faapito spent three seasons in Starkville, playing in 137 games as a Bulldog. She totaled 19 home runs and 59 RBIs in her career. She was especially potent in the postseason, posting a .737 slugging percentage in the NCAA Tournament for her career, which ranks third in MSU history. She also drew seven walks across two NCAA Tournaments, which is tied for second in program history and resulted in a .750 career on-base percentage in the postseason.
The two-way player also made 51 appearances in the circle for State, posting a career 2.70 ERA. She registered four saves out of the bullpen and recorded 132 career strikeouts.
"We are excited to keep Matalasi in Starkville and add her to our staff this season," Ricketts said. "Mata has a lot of pride in our program and has played a big part in our recent success. We are thrilled that she will continue to be a part of that. She will now help mentor the next group of Bulldogs while assisting the coaching staff with day-to-day operations and development."
The Temecula, California, native graduated in May with her degree in sociology. Faapito will primarily assist the staff with operations in the office, analytic data collection and camp administration and will be able to throw batting practice throughout the week.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Faapito spent three seasons in Starkville, playing in 137 games as a Bulldog. She totaled 19 home runs and 59 RBIs in her career. She was especially potent in the postseason, posting a .737 slugging percentage in the NCAA Tournament for her career, which ranks third in MSU history. She also drew seven walks across two NCAA Tournaments, which is tied for second in program history and resulted in a .750 career on-base percentage in the postseason.
The two-way player also made 51 appearances in the circle for State, posting a career 2.70 ERA. She registered four saves out of the bullpen and recorded 132 career strikeouts.
"We are excited to keep Matalasi in Starkville and add her to our staff this season," Ricketts said. "Mata has a lot of pride in our program and has played a big part in our recent success. We are thrilled that she will continue to be a part of that. She will now help mentor the next group of Bulldogs while assisting the coaching staff with day-to-day operations and development."
The Temecula, California, native graduated in May with her degree in sociology. Faapito will primarily assist the staff with operations in the office, analytic data collection and camp administration and will be able to throw batting practice throughout the week.
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
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