Faircloth Fans 14 As Bulldogs Complete Perfect Weekend In Waco

Saturday, February 7

Waco, Texas

9:30 a.m.

Mississippi State

4-0

New Mexico

0-2

Mississippi State

New Mexico

Faircloth Fans 14 As Bulldogs Complete Perfect Weekend In Waco

February 07, 2026 | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes

By: Brian Ogden, Director/Communications

WACO, Texas – No. 22 Mississippi State took the lead on the first batter of the game, and Alyssa Faircloth did the rest as the Bulldogs cruised to an 8-1 victory over New Mexico on Saturday morning.

Faircloth had the New Mexico hitters off balance all game. She struck out a career-high 14 batters, which ranks fourth in MSU history. The Lobos finally scratched across a run while staring down a potential run-rule in the bottom of the sixth with a sacrifice fly.

"Alyssa was cruising, and she was mixing speeds, attacking," Ricketts said. "I think she had strikeouts on every one of her different pitch types, and I love her confidence, her poise. The ball was moving, and, you know, she's really good. It's fun to watch her go out there and just be sharp and do what she does best."

Morgan Stiles launched the third pitch of the game over the right field wall, and seven of the first nine Bulldog hitters reached base safely. Morgan Bernardini plated a pair with a two-run single, and Anna Carder provided a sacrifice fly to give MSU (4-0) and four-run lead before the Lobos ever stepped to the plate.

The Bulldogs added single runs in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Carder also picked up a second RBI along the way. Gabby Schaeffer collected her first career RBI, and Des Rivera provided a sacrifice fly. Kiarra Sells scored on a wild pitch.

Quotables

Samantha Ricketts on the offense this weekend…
"I really like the way they set the tone. I thought we were on the attack, aggressive, and we swung within our plan all weekend long. I think a huge credit to the veterans at the top – Morgan Stiles, Nadia, Barbary, Kiarra Sells – were just phenomenal all weekend, just doing what they do and finding ways on base and driving in runs. I thought I saw a lot of good signs too. I think Taylor Troutman is getting more comfortable getting at bats, and Anna Carter just gave us veteran at bats like we knew she could. Same with Morgan Bernardini. I thought both her and Anna did a really good job hitting situationally, understanding what they need to do to pick up runs and turn the lineup over. I'm proud of them, the way they attacked and just the confidence they showed at the plate all weekend long."

Alyssa Faircloth on her outing today…
"[My mentality was] to stay loose and not try to be too perfect and trust that my spin is going to move like it's supposed to. My changeup was working really well today."

Quick Hitters

Call The Bomb Squad – MSU has homered in every game this season … State has scored 16 of its 32 runs via the long ball this season (50 percent) … last year, MSU scored 37.6 percent of its runs with a homer.

The Magic Number – The Bulldogs improved to 155-20 under Samantha Ricketts when scoring at least five runs … State has scored five or more run in 85 of MSU's 105 wins since the start of 2023.

Nadia Barbary – Extended her hitting streak to eight games dating back to last year … batting .367 (11-for-30) in that span with an .800 slugging percentage … led the team with six RBIs at the Getterman Classic.

Morgan Bernardini – Recorded her first multi-RBI game of the season.

Anna Carder – Recorded her first multi-RBI game at MSU … drove in runs with a ground out and a sacrifice fly.

Alyssa Faircloth – Struck out a career-high 14, which is fourth-most in a single game in MSU history and most by a Bulldog since 2023 … only run allowed came on a sacrifice fly.

Morgan Stiles – Led off the game with a home run … extended her hitting streak to eight games dating back to last year … hitting .556 (15-for-27) during the streak with a .778 slugging percentage.

Taylor Troutman – Reached base in every game this weekend with hits in the final three … hit .444 (4-for-9) in the Getterman Classic with two home runs and three RBIs.

Scoring Recap

Top 1
Morgan Stiles opened the ballgame with a home run to to right field. Nadia Barbary doubled down the left field line on the next pitch. With one out, Taylor Troutman and Abby Grace Richardson walked to load the bases. Anna Carder hit a sacrifice fly to score Barbary from third. Paige Ernstes walked to reload the bases for Morgan Bernardini who drove in two with a single up the middle.
No. 22 Mississippi State 4, New Mexico 0

Top 2
Barbary opened the frame with a single through the right side, and Kiarra Sells singled past the diving third baseman. Troutman reached on a fielding error by the shortstop, loading the bases. With one out, Carder grounded out to shortstop while Barbary scored.
No. 22 Mississippi State 5, New Mexico 0

Top 4
Sells doubled down the left field line with one out. She moved to third on Troutman's ground out to shortstop and scored on a wild pitch.
No. 22 Mississippi State 6, New Mexico 0

Top 5
Carder led off with a walk, and Des Rivera pinch ran. Ernstes singled, moving Rivera to second. Rivera took third on Bernardini's fly out to center. Gabby Schaeffer reached on a fielder's choice to short that saw Ernstes retired while Rivera scored.
No. 22 Mississippi State 7, New Mexico 0

Top 6
With one out, Kiarra Sells and Troutman hit back-to-back singles. Kalani Sells pinch ran for Troutman. Kinley Keller walked to load the bases before Rivera hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Kiarra Sells.
No. 22 Mississippi State 8, New Mexico 0

Bottom 6
With one out Briana Williams beat out a pinch-hit single to shortstop. DeNae Vasquez-Dickson also beat out an infield hit to second. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, and Williams scored on Ella Dawson's sacrifice fly to left.
No. 22 Mississippi State 7, New Mexico 0

Next Up

The Bulldogs' home opener is set for Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. CT. MSU will host in-state foe Southern Miss with the game airing on SEC Network+. That will open a 12-game homestand over the following two weeks.

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