12-run first inning leads Mississippi State past Memphis

After Mississippi State scored a total of four runs in losses to No. 4 Tennessee on Saturday and Sunday, the Bulldogs exploded for 12 in the first inning alone Tuesday evening, cruising to a 16-1, five-inning victory over Memphis.

No. 17 MSU (30-12) banged out nine hits in the frame, opening the scoring on a two-run double by Jessie Blaine. Ella Wesolowski’s single brought Blaine home, and then Paige Cook went deep for the second consecutive game, launching a two-run home run just over the wall in left. Following a walk to Aquana Brownlee, Kylee Edwards connected on her fifth home run of the season well over the left-center field fence to chase Tigers starter Rylee Dugar from the game.

“It felt really nice,” Edwards said. “It was a good swing on a good ball. I’m finally getting back into the groove of hitting the ball (well).”

The Bulldogs were not done scoring in the inning as Nadia Barbary and Madisyn Kennedy each delivered RBI hits after the lineup turned over, and Cook’s two-run single gave her four RBI in the inning.

The outburst allowed MSU to empty the bench and bring in little-used players Saleyna Daniel, Megan Davidson, Gabby Coffey and Kat Wallace. Daniel and Davidson each singled in the fourth and came around to score.

“I’m just proud of the way we came out and attacked,” head coach Samantha Ricketts said. “Just trying to get back in line after Sunday’s loss. We talked before the game, knowing that especially at this point of the season, every game is a big game. It doesn’t matter if we’re in conference or out of conference. When we’re playing for postseason seeding, every game matters.”

Matalasi Faapito made her fourth start of the season and held Memphis (4-34) scoreless over three innings, striking out three without issuing a walk. Freshman Hosanna Lindblade pitched the fourth for just her second appearance as a Bulldog, giving up one unearned run but limiting the damage. UCLA transfer Lexi Sosa worked the fifth in her first appearance in the circle since Mar. 29, recording a pair of strikeouts.

MSU is back at Nusz Park on Wednesday evening against a talented South Alabama team that would likely be in the NCAA Tournament if the season ended today. The Jaguars (23-15-1) are led by veteran pitcher Olivia Lackie, who has a 1.28 ERA and earned complete-game wins over Alabama and Arkansas earlier this year.

“Every game, every practice set up in the preseason in the fall, is all about postseason standings and not being in a position like we were last season,” Ricketts said. “We’re still really controlling our own destiny down the stretch with what we have left in front of us. I’m just proud of their maturity, the way they’ve competed and just really gotten after their goals this season. I still don’t know if we’ve really played our best yet, which is exciting.”

MSU