Friday, March 17
Starkville
6:00 PM
Mississippi State
vs
#11 Alabama
The Bulldogs return home this weekend to host the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide at Nusz Park.
Bulldogs Welcome No. 8 Alabama To Town For First SEC Home Series
March 16, 2017 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – After a week on the road, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (21-5, 1-2 SEC) are back at Nusz Park, as they welcome the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (26-2, 3-0 SEC) to town for their first SEC home series of the 2017 season.
The weekend begins on Friday, March 17 with a 6 p.m. CT first pitch. Saturday's contest is slated for 6 p.m., as well, with the series finale on Sunday set for a 2 p.m., first pitch. All three contests will be broadcast on the SEC Network +, which fans can access through WatchESPN.com or the ESPN app.
MSU and Alabama have met 66 times prior to this weekend, with the Tide holding a 56-10 advantage in the series. Alabama took all four meetings last year, but State earned a series victory the last time the Tide played a series in Starkville in 2014.
State is looking to keep momentum rolling after a 3-1 midweek victory at Central Arkansas on Wednesday. The Bulldogs used a career night from Reggie Harrison (4-for-4, 1 RBI) and a go-ahead two-RBI single from Calyn Adams in the seventh to grab the lead. Cassady Knudsen came in late and shut down the Bears to improve to 4-2 on the year.
The Bulldogs' success has been heavily fueled by their strong play in the circle through the first 26 games of the 2017 campaign. As a staff, MSU sports a 1.07 ERA, which ranks second in the SEC and sixth in the NCAA. Senior lefty Alexis Silkwood has been the staff's leader, holding a 9-1 record and a 0.78 ERA that stands sixth in the league and 18th nationally.
Recently, Cassady Knudsen has elevated her game to another level, highlighted by a lights-out showing against Alabama State on March 2. The junior tossed a career-high 10 strikeouts and threw her second-career no-hitter. On the year, Knudsen is second in the SEC and in the nation with allowing just 2.10 hits per seven innings. She is also fourth in the conference and eighth in the NCAA with 11.0 strikeouts per seven frames.
Offensively, Bevia Robinson and Reggie Harrison have been MSU's catalysts. Robinson leads MSU with a .417 batting average, 30 hits and 18 runs. She has also demonstrated lightning-fast speed, stealing 16 bases this year. Her 0.67 stolen bases per game average ranks fourth in the SEC and 41st nationally.
After her career night on Wednesday, Harrison is tops on the team with 47 total bases, seven doubles, a .644 slugging percentage and a .516 on-base clip. She also stands second amongst the Dogs with a .397 batting average.
The Bulldogs will take a break from SEC play after this weekend. State heads to Oxford for a non-conference matchup at No. 22 Ole Miss on March 22 (6 p.m. CT, SEC Network +). After that, MSU will head to Oklahoma to face the ninth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, Louisiana Tech and UAB (March 24-25).
Series Schedule Against No. 8 Alabama…
Friday, March 17 – Mississippi State vs. No. 8 Alabama (6 p.m. CT)
Saturday, March 18 – Mississippi State vs. No. 8 Alabama (6 p.m. CT)
Sunday, March 19 – Mississippi State vs. No. 8 Alabama (2 p.m. CT)
Last Time Out…
The Bulldogs capped a four-game road trip with a 3-1 victory in Conway, Ark., against the Central Arkansas Bears on Wednesday. Reggie Harrison paced MSU's offense with a career night, going 4-for-4 at the plate with an RBI. Calyn Adams drove in the winning run in the top of the seventh and Cassady Knudsen shut it down in the home half of the frame to earn her fourth win of the year.
Wednesday, March 15
Mississippi State def. Central Arkansas, 3-1 (Recap, Box Score)
Series History…
Against Alabama
Overall: Alabama leads, 56-10
In Starkville: Alabama leads, 22-6
Last Meeting: Alabama def. Mississippi State, 7-5 (May 11, 2016 in Starkville)
Current Streak: Alabama, +4
That Winning Feeling…
The Bulldogs strung together one of the most impressive winning streaks in school history earlier this year, winning 16-straight games from Feb. 17 - March 10. The streak tied for the longest in school history, set Feb. 10 - March 3, 2006.
Dogs Got That Power…
The Bulldogs have tallied 13 home runs so far through the year, besting the nine they hit in the first 26 games of the 2016 season. State has put together three multi-home run contests through this season, while only having one all of last year.
Pitching Staff On Fire…
State's pitching staff has been stellar through 26 games in 2017. The group's 1.07 ERA ranks second in the SEC and sixth in the NCAA. Alexis Silkwood (0.78 ERA) stands sixth in the SEC, 18th NCAA, while Regan Green (0.88 ERA) is ninth in the SEC, 29th in the nation.
Adding to State's pitching dominance has been Cassady Knudsen's ability to strike out batters, as her 11.0 K's per seven innings is fourth in the league and eighth nationally. She's also second in the SEC and the NCAA with just 2.10 hits allowed per seven innings.
Silk Rewriting The Record Books…
Senior lefty Alexis Silkwood has been putting her name all throughout the MSU record books since she arrived on campus in 2014. Now in her final year, she has already crowned herself the new MSU K Queen and is poised to take over several other categories...
- 1st in strikeouts (507)
- 1st in complete games (46)
- 1st in innings pitched (587.1)
- 2nd in wins (53)
- 3rd in starts (84)
- 3rd in appearances (124)
- T-3rd in shutouts (13)
- T-3rd in saves (8)
Robinson's Off To An Impressive Start…
In just 25 games, junior Bevia Robinson owns a team-best .417 clip, which is 15th in the SEC. She also leads the team with 30 hits, 18 runs and 16 stolen bases. Robinson's speed is one of the best in the conference, as she averages 0.67 stolen bases per game, good for fourth in the SEC and 41st in the NCAA.
Ranked Wins Keep Coming…
With the victory against No. 21 Fresno State in Mexico and in the SEC opener at No. 5 Texas A&M, Vann Stuedeman now has at least one ranked win in all six years she has been at the helm of the Bulldog softball program. She is the only head coach since MSU reached varsity status in 1997 to have a ranked win in every year of their tenure.
Late Innings, Our Innings…
Under the leadership of head coach Vann Stuedeman, State has been a force in the late innings and nothing is more evident of that than the 65 comeback wins the Bulldogs have amassed in her tenure.
MSU tallied 10 in 2016, including an early-season comeback against No. 23 South Alabama and another against No. 11 LSU at home.
State has eight come-from-behind victories so far in 2017, including walk-off victories against Stephen F. Austin on Feb. 11 and Samford on March 4.
These Dogs Don't Roll Over…
During the Stuedeman era, Mississippi State won two games versus top-five opponents during 2013, four in 2014, two in 2015, one in 2016 and one so far in 2017. Prior to the set versus No. 3 Alabama on April 11-13, 2014, the Bulldogs had won five games in program history versus top-five opponents. A closer look at MSU's wins against top-five foes:
Date Opponent Score (Innings)
Feb. 9, 2002 No. 1 Arizona W, 7-1
March 19, 2002 No. 4 LSU W, 8-7 (11)
April 24, 2011 No. 4 Tennessee W, 3-2
April 7, 2013 No. 3 Florida W, 6-5
April 19, 2013 No. 4 Alabama W, 3-2
April 12, 2014 No. 3 Alabama W, 4-2
April 13, 2014 No. 3 Alabama W, 4-3 (10)
April 18, 2014 No. 4 Tennessee W, 2-0
April 20, 2014 No. 4 Tennessee W, 11-7
March 29, 2015 No. 2 Florida W, 5-3
April 8, 2015 No. 1 LSU W, 9-4
March 19, 2016 No. 3 Auburn W, 6-3
March 10, 2017 No. 5 Texas A&M W, 5-2
Weather…
Friday's Forecast (March 17) – AM Clouds/PM Sun, 71 Degrees (10%)
Saturday's Forecast (March 18) – AM Light Rain, 71 Degrees (70%)
Sunday's Forecast (March 19) – Sunny, 69 Degrees (10%)
Live Stream…
All three of this weekend's contests will live streamed through the SEC Network +. Fans can access the games through WatchESPN.com, the ESPN app or clicking the links below.
Mississippi State vs. Alabama SEC Network + Broadcast (Friday)
Mississippi State vs. Alabama SEC Network + Broadcast (Saturday)
Mississippi State vs. Alabama SEC Network + Broadcast (Sunday)
Live Stats…
Mississippi State will provide live stats for all three games this weekend. They can be found in the link below.
Mississippi State vs. Alabama Live Stats
Admission…
All matches at Nusz Park this weekend, as well as the entire season, are free admission.
Promotions…
A list of this weekend's promotions are listed below.
Friday, March 17
MSU vs. Alabama (6:00 p.m. CT)
- Free admission
- Free MSU-branded Green/St. Patrick's Day Collector's Cups (while supplies last)
- Free t-shirts and prizes throughout the game
- Free pair of concert tickets to the next show at Rick's Café
- Kids' Zone
Saturday, March 18
MSU vs. Alabama (6:00 p.m. CT)
- Free admission
- Free t-shirts and prizes throughout the game
- Free pair of concert tickets to the next show at Rick's Café
- Kids' Zone
- Bulldog Prize Day
Sunday, March 19
MSU vs. Alabama (2:00 p.m. CT)
- Free admission
- Free t-shirts and prizes throughout the game
- Free pair of concert tickets to the next show at Rick's Café
- "Kids' Day at the Park": Kids' Zone; kids run the bases with the team post-game
- Free "Sunday S'mores"
- Camper Reunion Day: take the field with the team & participate in in-game contests for prizes
Up Next…
The Bulldogs will take a break from SEC play after this weekend. State heads to Oxford for a non-conference matchup at No. 22 Ole Miss on March 22 (6 p.m. CT, SEC Network +). After that, MSU will head to Oklahoma to face the ninth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, Louisiana Tech and UAB (March 24-25).
Social Media…
For more on Mississippi State softball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap".
The weekend begins on Friday, March 17 with a 6 p.m. CT first pitch. Saturday's contest is slated for 6 p.m., as well, with the series finale on Sunday set for a 2 p.m., first pitch. All three contests will be broadcast on the SEC Network +, which fans can access through WatchESPN.com or the ESPN app.
MSU and Alabama have met 66 times prior to this weekend, with the Tide holding a 56-10 advantage in the series. Alabama took all four meetings last year, but State earned a series victory the last time the Tide played a series in Starkville in 2014.
State is looking to keep momentum rolling after a 3-1 midweek victory at Central Arkansas on Wednesday. The Bulldogs used a career night from Reggie Harrison (4-for-4, 1 RBI) and a go-ahead two-RBI single from Calyn Adams in the seventh to grab the lead. Cassady Knudsen came in late and shut down the Bears to improve to 4-2 on the year.
The Bulldogs' success has been heavily fueled by their strong play in the circle through the first 26 games of the 2017 campaign. As a staff, MSU sports a 1.07 ERA, which ranks second in the SEC and sixth in the NCAA. Senior lefty Alexis Silkwood has been the staff's leader, holding a 9-1 record and a 0.78 ERA that stands sixth in the league and 18th nationally.
Recently, Cassady Knudsen has elevated her game to another level, highlighted by a lights-out showing against Alabama State on March 2. The junior tossed a career-high 10 strikeouts and threw her second-career no-hitter. On the year, Knudsen is second in the SEC and in the nation with allowing just 2.10 hits per seven innings. She is also fourth in the conference and eighth in the NCAA with 11.0 strikeouts per seven frames.
Offensively, Bevia Robinson and Reggie Harrison have been MSU's catalysts. Robinson leads MSU with a .417 batting average, 30 hits and 18 runs. She has also demonstrated lightning-fast speed, stealing 16 bases this year. Her 0.67 stolen bases per game average ranks fourth in the SEC and 41st nationally.
After her career night on Wednesday, Harrison is tops on the team with 47 total bases, seven doubles, a .644 slugging percentage and a .516 on-base clip. She also stands second amongst the Dogs with a .397 batting average.
The Bulldogs will take a break from SEC play after this weekend. State heads to Oxford for a non-conference matchup at No. 22 Ole Miss on March 22 (6 p.m. CT, SEC Network +). After that, MSU will head to Oklahoma to face the ninth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, Louisiana Tech and UAB (March 24-25).
Series Schedule Against No. 8 Alabama…
Friday, March 17 – Mississippi State vs. No. 8 Alabama (6 p.m. CT)
Saturday, March 18 – Mississippi State vs. No. 8 Alabama (6 p.m. CT)
Sunday, March 19 – Mississippi State vs. No. 8 Alabama (2 p.m. CT)
Last Time Out…
The Bulldogs capped a four-game road trip with a 3-1 victory in Conway, Ark., against the Central Arkansas Bears on Wednesday. Reggie Harrison paced MSU's offense with a career night, going 4-for-4 at the plate with an RBI. Calyn Adams drove in the winning run in the top of the seventh and Cassady Knudsen shut it down in the home half of the frame to earn her fourth win of the year.
Wednesday, March 15
Mississippi State def. Central Arkansas, 3-1 (Recap, Box Score)
Series History…
Against Alabama
Overall: Alabama leads, 56-10
In Starkville: Alabama leads, 22-6
Last Meeting: Alabama def. Mississippi State, 7-5 (May 11, 2016 in Starkville)
Current Streak: Alabama, +4
That Winning Feeling…
The Bulldogs strung together one of the most impressive winning streaks in school history earlier this year, winning 16-straight games from Feb. 17 - March 10. The streak tied for the longest in school history, set Feb. 10 - March 3, 2006.
Dogs Got That Power…
The Bulldogs have tallied 13 home runs so far through the year, besting the nine they hit in the first 26 games of the 2016 season. State has put together three multi-home run contests through this season, while only having one all of last year.
Pitching Staff On Fire…
State's pitching staff has been stellar through 26 games in 2017. The group's 1.07 ERA ranks second in the SEC and sixth in the NCAA. Alexis Silkwood (0.78 ERA) stands sixth in the SEC, 18th NCAA, while Regan Green (0.88 ERA) is ninth in the SEC, 29th in the nation.
Adding to State's pitching dominance has been Cassady Knudsen's ability to strike out batters, as her 11.0 K's per seven innings is fourth in the league and eighth nationally. She's also second in the SEC and the NCAA with just 2.10 hits allowed per seven innings.
Silk Rewriting The Record Books…
Senior lefty Alexis Silkwood has been putting her name all throughout the MSU record books since she arrived on campus in 2014. Now in her final year, she has already crowned herself the new MSU K Queen and is poised to take over several other categories...
- 1st in strikeouts (507)
- 1st in complete games (46)
- 1st in innings pitched (587.1)
- 2nd in wins (53)
- 3rd in starts (84)
- 3rd in appearances (124)
- T-3rd in shutouts (13)
- T-3rd in saves (8)
Robinson's Off To An Impressive Start…
In just 25 games, junior Bevia Robinson owns a team-best .417 clip, which is 15th in the SEC. She also leads the team with 30 hits, 18 runs and 16 stolen bases. Robinson's speed is one of the best in the conference, as she averages 0.67 stolen bases per game, good for fourth in the SEC and 41st in the NCAA.
Ranked Wins Keep Coming…
With the victory against No. 21 Fresno State in Mexico and in the SEC opener at No. 5 Texas A&M, Vann Stuedeman now has at least one ranked win in all six years she has been at the helm of the Bulldog softball program. She is the only head coach since MSU reached varsity status in 1997 to have a ranked win in every year of their tenure.
Late Innings, Our Innings…
Under the leadership of head coach Vann Stuedeman, State has been a force in the late innings and nothing is more evident of that than the 65 comeback wins the Bulldogs have amassed in her tenure.
MSU tallied 10 in 2016, including an early-season comeback against No. 23 South Alabama and another against No. 11 LSU at home.
State has eight come-from-behind victories so far in 2017, including walk-off victories against Stephen F. Austin on Feb. 11 and Samford on March 4.
These Dogs Don't Roll Over…
During the Stuedeman era, Mississippi State won two games versus top-five opponents during 2013, four in 2014, two in 2015, one in 2016 and one so far in 2017. Prior to the set versus No. 3 Alabama on April 11-13, 2014, the Bulldogs had won five games in program history versus top-five opponents. A closer look at MSU's wins against top-five foes:
Date Opponent Score (Innings)
Feb. 9, 2002 No. 1 Arizona W, 7-1
March 19, 2002 No. 4 LSU W, 8-7 (11)
April 24, 2011 No. 4 Tennessee W, 3-2
April 7, 2013 No. 3 Florida W, 6-5
April 19, 2013 No. 4 Alabama W, 3-2
April 12, 2014 No. 3 Alabama W, 4-2
April 13, 2014 No. 3 Alabama W, 4-3 (10)
April 18, 2014 No. 4 Tennessee W, 2-0
April 20, 2014 No. 4 Tennessee W, 11-7
March 29, 2015 No. 2 Florida W, 5-3
April 8, 2015 No. 1 LSU W, 9-4
March 19, 2016 No. 3 Auburn W, 6-3
March 10, 2017 No. 5 Texas A&M W, 5-2
Weather…
Friday's Forecast (March 17) – AM Clouds/PM Sun, 71 Degrees (10%)
Saturday's Forecast (March 18) – AM Light Rain, 71 Degrees (70%)
Sunday's Forecast (March 19) – Sunny, 69 Degrees (10%)
Live Stream…
All three of this weekend's contests will live streamed through the SEC Network +. Fans can access the games through WatchESPN.com, the ESPN app or clicking the links below.
Mississippi State vs. Alabama SEC Network + Broadcast (Friday)
Mississippi State vs. Alabama SEC Network + Broadcast (Saturday)
Mississippi State vs. Alabama SEC Network + Broadcast (Sunday)
Live Stats…
Mississippi State will provide live stats for all three games this weekend. They can be found in the link below.
Mississippi State vs. Alabama Live Stats
Admission…
All matches at Nusz Park this weekend, as well as the entire season, are free admission.
Promotions…
A list of this weekend's promotions are listed below.
Friday, March 17
MSU vs. Alabama (6:00 p.m. CT)
- Free admission
- Free MSU-branded Green/St. Patrick's Day Collector's Cups (while supplies last)
- Free t-shirts and prizes throughout the game
- Free pair of concert tickets to the next show at Rick's Café
- Kids' Zone
Saturday, March 18
MSU vs. Alabama (6:00 p.m. CT)
- Free admission
- Free t-shirts and prizes throughout the game
- Free pair of concert tickets to the next show at Rick's Café
- Kids' Zone
- Bulldog Prize Day
Sunday, March 19
MSU vs. Alabama (2:00 p.m. CT)
- Free admission
- Free t-shirts and prizes throughout the game
- Free pair of concert tickets to the next show at Rick's Café
- "Kids' Day at the Park": Kids' Zone; kids run the bases with the team post-game
- Free "Sunday S'mores"
- Camper Reunion Day: take the field with the team & participate in in-game contests for prizes
Up Next…
The Bulldogs will take a break from SEC play after this weekend. State heads to Oxford for a non-conference matchup at No. 22 Ole Miss on March 22 (6 p.m. CT, SEC Network +). After that, MSU will head to Oklahoma to face the ninth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, Louisiana Tech and UAB (March 24-25).
Social Media…
For more on Mississippi State softball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap".
Players Mentioned
INF/C
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
P
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