Bulldogs Blank No. 10 Georgia, Tie Series At One Apiece
Teams To Face Off In Rubber Match On Sunday At 12:30 p.m.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State (20-9, 2-3 SEC) rallied for single runs in both the third and fifth innings, then climbed on the shoulders of a five-hit shutout by starter Melissa Massey to shut down No. 10 Georgia (25-4, 4-1), 2-0, and tie the series at one apiece Saturday afternoon at the Mississippi State Softball Field.
Jennifer Waterman drove in a run on a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate to pace the State arsenal, while Blaire Brown tallied a 1-for-3 performance including a clutch run-scoring double in the fifth. Michelle Green led Georgia offensively, turning in a 2-for-3 showing at the plate.
Massey (13-2) worked her 10th complete game of the campaign, scattering five hits and striking out three, to earn her first career victory over a top 10 opponent and her third against a top 25 team this season. Georgia starter Lacey Gardner (8-2) allowed two earned runs on seven hits and a pair of walks to saddle the loss for the Red and Black.
"This was a huge win for us today, especially after getting beat in the first game," said Mississippi State head coach Jay Miller. "We got some key hits from Blaire Brown and Jennifer Waterman, and Melissa Massey went out and threw a very good game for us."
Tillman drew a walk to leadoff the third, then stole second after a missed opportunity at a sac bunt by Jennifer Nelson. Gardner struck out Jennifer Jessup to put the second out on the board, then opted to intentionally walk Iyhia McMichael to put a pair of runners on for the Maroon and White. Waterman worked the count to 3-1 with the next at-bat, then laced a shot to leftfield to score Tillman with the 1-0 lead.
Gardner retired the first two Bulldogs in order to begin the fifth, but surrendered a one-out double to Waterman who was then replaced by pinchrunner and Starkville native Meagan O'Nan. Brown added the insurance run on a first-pitch offering from Gardner with the next at-bat.
Mississippi State and Georgia will play the rubber match of their series tomorrow afternoon at 12:30 p.m. when the two lace up for game three of the series at the Mississippi State Softball Field. Admission to all 2003 Mississippi State Softball home games is free of charge.
MISSISSIPPI STATE 2, NO. 10 GEORGIA 0
Georgia 000 000 0 -- 0 5 0Mississippi State 001 010 x -- 2 7 0
Gardner and McKeon; Massey and Waterman. W -- Massey (13-2). L -- Gardner (8-2). Save -- None. 2B -- UGA, Jarvis. MSU, Waterman, Brown.