Two-Time SoCon Pitcher Of The Year Joins Bulldogs

STARKVILLE – Peja Goold, the two-time Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year and an NFCA First Team All-South Region selection, has signed with Mississippi State for her senior season.

Goold is also a two-time All-Southern Conference selection and the 2024 Southern Conference Tournament MVP. In three years at Chattanooga, the right-hander boasts a 2.28 ERA with 95 career victories. She has thrown 31 complete games, including 21 this past season, with 10 shutouts, eight of which came in 2025.

The Stockton, California, native was the No. 4 pitcher in the transfer portal according to College Sports Evaluation. She was a four-star prospect according to Softball America.

"We are thrilled to add an experienced pitcher of Peja's caliber to our pitching staff," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "It became apparent on her visit to Starkville that she was a great fit for our program and community, and we are eager to get her on campus. Peja will be a great complement to the other pitchers in the bullpen, and her competitiveness and drive to succeed at the highest level are exactly what we were looking for in the recruiting process."

In 2025, Goold started 29 games and went 25-7 in the circle. She led the Mocs in ERA (1.69), strikeouts (244), innings (202.2) and batting average against (.173). Twice this season, she struck out a career-high 14 batters in a game.

As a sophomore, Goold made 33 appearances and tossed six complete games. She again led Chattanooga with 126 strikeouts and picked up NCAA Tournament experience, starting both games in the Tallahassee Regional. In 2023, she earned Southern Conference All-Freshman Team recognition.

Goold's high school accolades included a CalHi Sports All-State selection and an Alliance Division II National Championship while playing travel ball for NoCal Batbusters.

She also excels academically and was recently tabbed to the CSC Academic All-District team for the second time. The rising senior was a finalist on the national Academic All-American ballot that will be voted on this week and announced on June 17.

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

Mississippi State University Athletics

Two-Time SoCon Pitcher Of The Year Joins Bulldogs

Players Mentioned

Peja Goold

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