Turning The Paige
February 16, 2025 | Softball
STARKVILLE – It would be hard to image a better start to your college career than Paige Ernstes has had over the last eight days.
Ernstes made her debut last Saturday as a pinch hitter against Penn State, picking up her first career hit in her first at-bat. The New Palestine, Indiana, native proved that was just her first of many to come this weekend. On Friday, she launched her first collegiate homer on the first pitch she saw as a pinch hitter at The Snowman. Her three-run blast against North Texas propelled the Bulldogs to a 14-5 run-rule victory over the Mean Green.
"Paige just really took advantage of her opportunity and we're going to get her more and more at bats," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "I think she's confident. She's powerful. She can play a lot of different positions. It was fun to see her go up there and make the most of her chances. She's going to be a big bat for us throughout the year, whether it's off the bench or in the lineup."
On Saturday, the New Palestine, Indiana, native made her first career start and promptly drove a double in first trip to the plate. By the end of the day, she had her first career multi-hit game and was sitting with a .667 batting average and 2.000 OPS.
"They're a talented group and really, preseason is just trying to get them confident and experienced," Ricketts said of State's freshman class. "Getting used to the speed of the game was a big part of it. It's tough when you're behind a lot of upperclassmen, but that's why these games are so important to get them those innings."
In addition to Ernstes, Xiane Romero and Morgan Stiles have split the starts at second base. Kalani Sells has appeared in every game as a pinch runner or defensive replacement, and Gretta Grassel has pinch ran six times.
It could have been easy for Ernstes to let the nerves of being in a new place prevent them from excelling. Freshmen are immediately challenged with the adjustment to the college game and the competitive grind in their first seasons. However, the veterans on State's roster have provided the freshman a true warm welcome to the program and helped set the standard to be there for the newcomers at any moment.
"My mentality was to be calm and focused and not let the moment get too big. It's still the same sport I've been playing since I was younger, and my teammates had talked to me leading up to that moment," Ernstes said. "Kylee [Edwards] had said some words to me that I really appreciated. Jessie [Blaine] has been a really big role model to me. She's always talking to me, and I'm always asking her questions. She's been such a big supporter of mine, and I really look up to Jessie."
For the veterans like Blaine and Lexi Sosa, who reaped the benefits of Ernstes' contributions on Saturday in her first start in the pitching circle, it has been incredible witnessing the future players in the program get off to quick starts.
"I love our freshmen class. They're just like a bunch of little sisters to me. They're so much fun," Sosa said. "They're ready to compete, and they're having fun doing it. It's really awesome to see it just as a sixth-year, with their experience and how they approach it already."
Ernstes made her debut last Saturday as a pinch hitter against Penn State, picking up her first career hit in her first at-bat. The New Palestine, Indiana, native proved that was just her first of many to come this weekend. On Friday, she launched her first collegiate homer on the first pitch she saw as a pinch hitter at The Snowman. Her three-run blast against North Texas propelled the Bulldogs to a 14-5 run-rule victory over the Mean Green.
"Paige just really took advantage of her opportunity and we're going to get her more and more at bats," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "I think she's confident. She's powerful. She can play a lot of different positions. It was fun to see her go up there and make the most of her chances. She's going to be a big bat for us throughout the year, whether it's off the bench or in the lineup."
On Saturday, the New Palestine, Indiana, native made her first career start and promptly drove a double in first trip to the plate. By the end of the day, she had her first career multi-hit game and was sitting with a .667 batting average and 2.000 OPS.
"They're a talented group and really, preseason is just trying to get them confident and experienced," Ricketts said of State's freshman class. "Getting used to the speed of the game was a big part of it. It's tough when you're behind a lot of upperclassmen, but that's why these games are so important to get them those innings."
In addition to Ernstes, Xiane Romero and Morgan Stiles have split the starts at second base. Kalani Sells has appeared in every game as a pinch runner or defensive replacement, and Gretta Grassel has pinch ran six times.
It could have been easy for Ernstes to let the nerves of being in a new place prevent them from excelling. Freshmen are immediately challenged with the adjustment to the college game and the competitive grind in their first seasons. However, the veterans on State's roster have provided the freshman a true warm welcome to the program and helped set the standard to be there for the newcomers at any moment.
"My mentality was to be calm and focused and not let the moment get too big. It's still the same sport I've been playing since I was younger, and my teammates had talked to me leading up to that moment," Ernstes said. "Kylee [Edwards] had said some words to me that I really appreciated. Jessie [Blaine] has been a really big role model to me. She's always talking to me, and I'm always asking her questions. She's been such a big supporter of mine, and I really look up to Jessie."
For the veterans like Blaine and Lexi Sosa, who reaped the benefits of Ernstes' contributions on Saturday in her first start in the pitching circle, it has been incredible witnessing the future players in the program get off to quick starts.
"I love our freshmen class. They're just like a bunch of little sisters to me. They're so much fun," Sosa said. "They're ready to compete, and they're having fun doing it. It's really awesome to see it just as a sixth-year, with their experience and how they approach it already."
Players Mentioned
C/INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
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