Mississippi State softball upsets No. 2 Florida State in NCAA regional

Samantha Ricketts made her ambitions clear heading into the season: Mississippi State softball needed to host postseason play.

These objectives seemed to be out of the image when MSU was positioned as a No. 2 seed within the Tallahassee Regional. Then, the Bulldogs made a magical run.

After beating No. 2 Florida State twice Sunday, Mississippi State might be internet hosting an excellent regional in Starkville this week.

“It is simply unreal,” MSU pitcher Annie Willis mentioned in her postgame interview with ESPN. “It is simply one thing that we have dreamed of as a program. The truth that we get to have the ability to give Coach Ricketts this chance and the followers is simply wonderful.”

MSU opened NCAA postseason play with a 4-0 loss towards No. 3 seed South Florida. Georgina Corrick, one of many nation’s high arms, shut down the Bulldogs.

Mississippi State wanted two wins Saturday to maintain its season alive. MSU dealt with No. 4 seed Howard earlier than a rematch towards USF.

Corrick was again on the mound, however just for an inning. An harm saved her out of USF’s loss towards Florida State earlier Saturday, and she or he was unable to get previous an inning towards Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs took benefit of Corrick’s absence en path to a 6-0 win.

Florida State defeated Howard on Friday earlier than beating South Florida, so FSU entered Sunday needing one win. Mississippi State wanted two due to the double-elimination format.

The Bulldogs, behind an entire sport from Aspen Wesley, took the primary sport 5-0. 

Florida State jumped on Wesley within the second sport, scoring twice and knocking her out earlier than MSU might file an out. The Seminoles led 3-1 by way of 4 earlier than the Bulldogs sparked a rally.

MSU utilized a three-run fifth to take a lead it would not let up. Chloe Malau’ulu, with a two-run, one-out single, delivered the successful hit — the most important hit in Mississippi State softball historical past. 

Arizona, a No. 3 seed within the Columbia Regional, took down No. 15 Missouri on Sunday to advance. With Mississippi State as the upper seed, it will get to host. 

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat author for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or observe him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.