Bulldogs Land Nation-Leading Five On Softball America Freshman Watch List

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State saw five players tabbed to the Softball America Freshman Watch List on Tuesday. The Bulldogs are tied with Rutgers, UCLA and Washington for the most in the nation.

Sara Phillips, who was also previously tabbed to the D1Softball D100 Freshman Watch List, is joined by infielders Morgan Stiles and Xiane Romero on Softball America's list. In the outfield, State is represented by Gretta Grassel and Kalani Sells.

Phillips was considered the No. 18 prospect in the class by Extra Inning Softball when she signed with State, and she was the outlet's No. 12 pitcher nationally. Softball America labeled her a four-star prospect and the No. 13 pitcher in the class. Playing at Hewitt-Trussville High School, Phillips won three state titles, was a four-time All-State Tournament Team selection and three-time First Team All-State honoree. In 2023, she was a MaxPreps First Team High School All-American.

Stiles was the highest-ranked prospect in the class, checking in as Extra Inning Softball's No. 15 player nationally and the No. 10 middle infielder. Softball America ranked her No. 61 in the class when she signed. She was a two-time state champion at Athens High School where she holds single-season (23) and career (69) home run records. Stiles was a four-time First Team All-State selection and the Alabama 6A Player of the Year last spring. She put together a very strong fall, leading the team with a .571 batting average and collecting 10 RBIs.

Grassel was a two-time Gatorade state player of the year nominee in Wisconsin where she also earned Extra Inning Softball First Team High School All-American honors. As a senior last year, 80 percent of her hits went for extra bases, and she closed her career with Boscobel High single-season records for hits, homers, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and RBIs. She played travel ball with the Midwest Speed, which won the Alliance Tier 2 National Championship in 2023 as she was named to the all-tournament team.

Romero was the No. 31 position player in the class according to Softball America. She had a solid fall, batting .417 with a pair of doubles and three walks in exhibition play. Romero played travel ball with Athletics Mercado, which won the 2021 Triple Crown National Championship and the 2022 Alliance Tier 2 National Championship.

Sells, the younger sister of junior Kiarra Sells, came to Starkville from Jasper High School in Texas where her team went undefeated in 2022 on its way to a district title. In her senior year, she was named Jasper's offensive MVP after leading the team in batting average, RBIs, home runs and stolen bases. Sells hit .421 in the fall with 10 RBIs and six stolen bases.

Mississippi State will open the season at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida. State last played in the event in Samantha Ricketts' first season as head coach, winning the tournament title in 2020. Opening Day 2025 is set for Feb. 7 as the Bulldogs meet Texas Tech and Penn State to begin the tournament.

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

Mississippi State University Athletics

Bulldogs Land Nation-Leading Five On Softball America Freshman Watch List

Players Mentioned

Gretta Grassel

Sara Phillips

Xiane Romero

Kalani Sells

Kiarra Sells

Morgan Stiles

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