Picking Each Other Up

STARKVILLE — After the Bulldogs allowed three runs early in the contest, graduate pitcher Lexi Sosa did not hesitate to pick her teammates up and wrestle back momentum for the Maroon and White.

That is what the game of softball is all about, how players respond to adversity, and that is exactly what Sosa did for Mississippi State in Thursday night's 10-3 victory over Southern Illinois.

"We like to say we're a little family inside this big family of ours," Sosa said of the Bulldog pitching staff. "We're here to pick each other up. We're your biggest supporters [and] biggest cheerleaders. It's been really awesome being super close to them and knowing that I can rely on them. That's the way I was with Josey [Marron] today."

The chemistry of this year's ball club has been formed by a true love for each other. There is no pointing fingers or placing blame in State's dugout. Everyone takes responsibility and makes it a priority to have each other's back. It's a formula that has led to early successes on the field, like Sosa's career-high performance with seven strikeouts through 5.2 innings of work in the circle.

"She's a six-year senior, and she's been there before," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "She had all the composure in the world and knew that the defense was going to have her back. I thought she did a great job of continuing to attack the zone and not being phased by their hitters."

Sosa veteran presence is exemplified by a 1.76 career ERA through six seasons. Those numbers do not go unnoticed by her teammates and the Bulldog coaching staff. Her ability to pick her team up when they are at their lowest, while also cheering for them at their highest moments, makes her the ultimate example of backing up your family through every moment.

After a successful weekend in Florida, the message returning from the home opener for every member of the roster was simply to be there for each other. Through the ups and downs, those bonds are unbreakable.

"The message last weekend and then coming into this week was picking each other up and having each other's backs," Ricketts said. "I thought the team really did that tonight."

The word family is something that is used strongly across the MSU softball facility when asked about the connections and bonds with each other. When prompted, they always usually provide a similar response. That is, that this team is special. Usually, when we hear the term special in sports, it is provided solely based on the talent of the squad. This goes beyond the field, however.

"Out of all the teams I've had, they're different. They're special, and they're very close," Ricketts said. "They just want to be there for each other all the time. There's no drama and they really are each other's best friends on and off the field. It's been really special to see."

Mississippi State University Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Lexi Sosa

Related Videos