Ki Contributions

STARKVILLE – With a runner on second in the eighth inning of a tied game against No. 13 Texas Tech, the pressure rested on the shoulders of junior outfielder Kiarra Sells to drive home the go-ahead run for the Bulldogs.

Sells, who made her first career start on Opening Day and had yet to record a hit in her career, stared down reigning National Player of the Year NiJaree Canady, who had held the Bulldogs scoreless for seven innings. The bright lights were no match for the determined and fearless mindset that shimmered on Sells' face when she stepped into the box to face last year's national ERA leader.

"I just thought to myself, there's a runner on two, the worst thing I can do is strikeout. I was like, all I've got to do is just move the runner," Sells said. "I wasn't thinking about anything else. If she gives me that pitch, I'm going to hit it. I was looking for anything I could hit to the right side or for a sac fly."

She accomplished her mission with a single into right field, which brought home Kylee Edwards from second base, and every Bulldog on the bench erupted in jubilant cheers for the Jasper, Texas, native. Her first career hit would prove crucial in the Bulldogs' first victory of the 2025 campaign.

Sells and every other player in Maroon and White who stepped into the box to face one of the toughest pitchers in the country that night did so with confidence and without fear.

"I think it really helps that we had just seen [Canady] in regionals to finish the season, so I think there was a lot of confidence from our returners," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "They really did a good job of talking up the rest of the team, saying 'Hey, we got this. We're going in confident. We've got nothing to lose. We're going to compete.' We practiced for it and that was the mindset. To me, there was no fear."

On the second day of the NFCA Leadoff Classic, Sells had an encore performance in store for the Bulldog faithful. Down to their final out in a tied game against Bethune-Cookman on Saturday afternoon, Sells again broke the tie. She hammered a single into left field to drive home Sierra Sacco and secure State's second win of the weekend.

"I thought, if anything, I should be able to just hit this girl in – any kind of pitch," Sells said. "I was super confident that any ball that was coming my way, I was going to hit it. Kudos to Nadia [Barbary] for moving her over, Mo [Bernardini] starting the inning and Sierra making it around to third, which was such a huge thing. That was kind of my mindset: 'Hey, she got on. This is my chance. I'll move her, score her, anything.'"

Following the 3-2 walk-off victory over the Wildcats, Sells and the Bulldogs went on to finish the tournament with a 4-1 record including three wins over teams ranked in at least one poll. Sells recorded a hit in all five contests, and she currently ranks second on the team with a .417 batting average and a 1.063 OPS, while also leading State's starting lineup from the weekend with a .563 on-base percentage.

It was a breakout weekend for a player that has spent two years waiting for her opportunity. When it came, she made the most of it. The signs that something special could be brewing are all there. This summer, Sells played in the Lonestar State Collegiate League where she crushed a league-leading 15 homers and drove in 42 runs, which was second in the league. Opening weekend of the 2025 season was a direct result of the hours she spent her craft.

"It means so much to me," Sells said. "All glory to God, I was able to work my butt off, especially in the summer league, building up that confidence and building up that trust within myself. Being able to come out here is such an absolute blessing. It's so huge for me, and being able to play side-by-side with some of the greatest competitors in the country is such a blessing. I am super happy to be a part of it."

Mississippi State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Kylee Edwards

Sierra Sacco

Kiarra Sells

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