Mississippi State Softball Battles Tough Opponent in Doubleheader Against No. 2 Oklahoma
NORMAN, Okla. – In a thrilling yet heartbreaking doubleheader, Mississippi State Softball faced off against the formidable No. 2 Oklahoma, with both teams showcasing their skills and competitive spirit. The Bulldogs raced out to early leads in both games but ultimately fell short, losing two nail-biters by the scores of 6-5 and 9-6.
Strong Offensive Start
Under the leadership of head coach Samantha Ricketts, the Bulldogs exhibited a commanding presence at the plate, kicking off both contests with four-run innings to put the pressure on their opponents. Coach Ricketts emphasized post-game: "I thought we did a much better job of staying on the attack and being aggressive and not missing our pitch."
Game 1: A Tale of Resilience
In the first matchup, Mississippi State took an early 4-0 lead, only for the Sooners (39-5, 13-5 SEC) to rally and level the score by the third inning. A pivotal moment came in the fourth when Nadia Barbary drove home Sierra Sacco with a timely double, reclaiming the lead for the Bulldogs. However, Oklahoma answered back, managing to secure the victory with a decisive run in the bottom of the fifth inning, sealing the fate of the Bulldogs.
Game 2: A Rollercoaster of Emotion
The second game mirrored the first, with Mississippi State again taking a 5-2 lead shortly after the start. Despite a powerful performance that included a three-run homer from the Sooners in the fifth inning, the Bulldogs never managed to close the gap to within two runs despite valiant efforts, including solo home runs by both teams in the sixth.
Stellar Performances Amidst Defeat
Although the results weren’t in their favor, several Bulldogs turned in standout performances. Sierra Sacco was a highlight for the team, finishing the day 3-for-8 across both games and hitting two home runs. Meanwhile, both Morgan Bernardini and Jessie Blaine contributed three RBIs each, providing critical offensive support when needed.
- Sierra Sacco: 2 home runs; 3 hits.
- Morgan Bernardini: 3 RBIs; key doubles.
- Jessie Blaine: 2-run homer; exceptional batting.
Reflections from Coach Ricketts
After the doubleheader, Coach Ricketts shared her thoughts on the series: "We expect ourselves to play and compete with anyone, and we’re disappointed because we didn’t play our best. You can’t give anyone extra outs, whether defensively or with freebies. We just didn’t play clean for seven innings, which we needed to do."
Noteworthy Individual Highlights
- Nadia Barbary: Achieved her 15th multi-hit game, driving in one run and scoring twice.
- Morgan Bernardini: Continued her strong season with an eighth double and a multi-RBI game.
- Jessie Blaine: Added her third homer of the year and her seventh multi-RBI game to her impressive resume.
- Kylee Edwards: Demonstrated flair with acrobatic base-running, turning in crucial plays on defense while also contributing on offense.
- Ella Wesolowski: Hit her second homer of the season and showcased her skills by catching a runner attempting to steal.
Looking Ahead
As they regroup, the Bulldogs will hit the road, heading to Lexington, Kentucky, for a three-game series against the Wildcats from April 25-27. The team is determined to bounce back stronger, equipped with lessons learned from these hard-fought matches.
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Stay tuned for more thrilling moments in Mississippi State Athletics as they continue to strive for excellence!
