Friday, April 20
Starkville
6:00 PM
Mississippi State
vs
#5 Florida
No. 22 Mississippi State readies for the third Top 25 showdown at Nusz Park as the Bulldogs host No. 5 Florida for #SBW18.
No. 22 MSU Welcomes No. 5 Florida to Nusz Park for #SBW18
April 19, 2018 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss – After picking up a win in the final nonconference game of the season at Nusz Park, No. 22 Mississippi State (33-12, 6-9 SEC) readies for a Top 25 showdown and Super Bulldog Weekend as No. 5 Florida (38-7, 12-3 SEC) treks to StarkVegas.
The weekend series begins on Friday, April 20 with at 6 p.m. CT. First pitch for Saturday, April 21's contest is set for 1 p.m. CT with the series finale on Sunday, April 22 slated for 12 p.m. CT start time. All three games of the series will be streamed on the SEC Network + via WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app.
This weekend will mark the first time since 2015 that the Gators have traveled to Nusz Park. Florida leads the all-time series history at 43-19 and have won the last three meetings. Eight of MSU's wins in the series have come at Nusz Park.
State is looking to keep the momentum rolling after rounding out its nonconference slate at Nusz Park on Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over Memphis to sweep the home-and-home series with the Tigers.
Pitching continues to be a huge key in MSU's success as the Bulldog staff is coming off two shut out wins over in-state rival Ole Miss to claim the conference series. The season, MSU has recorded 16 shutouts, which ranks as the second-most in program history. With a 1.67 earned run average, the Bulldogs rank 13th in the nation and fifth in the SEC.
Senior Holly Ward has carried the load for the pitching staff, tossing a team-leading 117.1 innings pitched. The right-hander has struck out 122 batters, which ranks seventh among SEC pitchers. Ward's six shutouts this season also ranked tied for fourth in single-season history.
Off the heels of being named one of 25 finalists for Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Freshman of the Year, Mia Davidson continues to be the clubhouse leader and is the lone Bulldog to record 35 or more hits, runs scored and RBIs this season. Davidson leads the SEC in total bases (122) and slugging percentage (.865), while ranking second in home runs (15), third in hits (60) and fourth in batting average (.426), runs scored (44) and doubles (13).
FLORIDA SERIES SCHEDULE
Friday, April 20 – No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 5 Florida (6 p.m. CT)
Saturday, April 21 – No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 5 Florida (1 p.m. CT)
Sunday, April 22 – No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 10 Texas A&M (12 p.m. CT)
LAST TIME OUT
In the final home midweek Nusz Park, No. 22 Mississippi State topple Memphis, 3-1, to sweep the home-and-home series with the Tigers. The Bulldogs recorded five hits in the contest, none bigger than junior Carmen Carter's two-RBI double in the second inning.
Tuesday, April 17
No. 22 Mississippi State def. Memphis, 3-1 (Recap, Box Score)
SERIES HISTORY
Against Florida
Overall: Florida leads 34-19
In Starkville: Florida leads 14-8
Last Meeting: Florida def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (10 inn.) (April 24, 2017 in Gainesville, Fla.)
Current Streak: Florida, +3
HURTS SO GOOD
For the 34th time in her career, Sarai Niu was hit by a pitch, which moves her into third all-time in program history. Briana Bell (2008-13) holds the program of 55.
SLUGGING TOWARDS SEASON RECORD
Just 43 games into her freshman season, Mia Davidson has already etched her name into the record books. Davidson slugged her 15th home run of the season during the series finale at Ole, which moves her into a tie for third all-time in single-season history with Jessica Cooley (2012).
Her 15 home are the second-most ever hit by a MSU freshman. Davidson now ranks only behind Courtney Bures (17, 2005).
BOMB SQUAD
As a team the Bulldogs have hit 40 home runs, which ranks tied for fourth in the Southeastern Conference and have turned in 13 multi-home run games this season. Freshman Mia Davidson leads the team and is second in the SEC with 15 home runs through the first 43 games of the season.
Five Bulldogs have also knocked the first home runs of their career this season: Carter, Spexarth, Grace Dabbs, Carmen Carter, Macey Petrey and Bevia Robinson.
WARD UP
Holly Ward's impressive start to her senior season has moved her into the MSU career record book. Recording her 11th career shutout in game two of the Ole Miss series, Ward now ranks fifth outright in school history for most career shutouts.
5th Shutouts 11
T5th Saves 7
6th Strikeouts 321
T6th Solo No-Hitters 1
8th Opponent Batting Avg. .237
9th Strikeouts per 7 inn. 5.64
MAMA MIA!
To say that Mia Davidson has had hot start to her freshman season would be an understatement. Not only has Davidson proven to be a spark to MSU offense's early success, but she has also ranks as one of the top hitters amongst the conference.
Davidson currently ranks in the top 10 in the Southeastern Conference in 10 offensive categories, including first in total bases (122) and slugging percentage (.865), second in home runs (15), third in hits (60) and fourth in batting average (.426), runs scored (44) and doubles (13).
MISSISSIPPI QUEEN
In her seventh season at the helm of Mississippi State softball, Vann Stuedeman has notched 235 wins to surpass Kathy Arendsen (1997-2002) for the second-most victories in program history. Jay Miller (2003-211) holds the program record at 295.
WEATHER
Friday, April 20 – 69 Degrees; Sunny (10%)
Saturday, April 21 – 73 Degrees; Partly Cloudy (0%)
Sunday, April 22 – 66 Degrees; Thunderstorms (100%)
WATCH LIVE
All three of this weekend's games will be streamed on the SEC Network+ via WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app.
Game One: No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 5 Florida
Game Two: No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 5 Florida
Game Three: No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 5 Florida
LIVE STATS
Mississippi State will provide live stats for all three games this weekend, which may be accessed through the link below.
No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 5 Florida Live Stats
ADMISSION
Admission to all regular-season home games at Nusz Park is free.
PROMOTIONS
FRIDAY - FREE Cheese Fries (While ; Supplies Last); Free T-Shirts & Gift Cards Throughout the Game; Up to 225 Hail State Rewards Points150 Bully's Kids Club Points
SATURDAY - Pregame: Women's Basketball Senior First Pitch; In-Game: Women's Basketball Team Recognition; Free T-Shirts & Gift Card; s Throughout the Game; Up to 225 Hail State Rewards Points, 150 Bully's Kids Club Points
SUNDAY - Free T-Shirts & Gift Cards Throughout the Game; Up to 225 Hail State Rewards Points; 150 Bully's Kids Club Points
ON DECK
Mississippi State kicks off its final road swing of the regular season with the last midweek contest of the 2018 on Wednesday, April 25 when the bulldogs travel to Troy for a 6 p.m. CT contest.
FOLLOW THE DAWGS
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 series begins on Friday, April 20 with at 6 p.m. CT. First pitch for Saturday, April 21's contest is set for 1 p.m. CT with the series finale on Sunday, April 22 slated for 12 p.m. CT start time. All three games of the series will be streamed on the SEC Network + via WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app.
This weekend will mark the first time since 2015 that the Gators have traveled to Nusz Park. Florida leads the all-time series history at 43-19 and have won the last three meetings. Eight of MSU's wins in the series have come at Nusz Park.
State is looking to keep the momentum rolling after rounding out its nonconference slate at Nusz Park on Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over Memphis to sweep the home-and-home series with the Tigers.
Pitching continues to be a huge key in MSU's success as the Bulldog staff is coming off two shut out wins over in-state rival Ole Miss to claim the conference series. The season, MSU has recorded 16 shutouts, which ranks as the second-most in program history. With a 1.67 earned run average, the Bulldogs rank 13th in the nation and fifth in the SEC.
Senior Holly Ward has carried the load for the pitching staff, tossing a team-leading 117.1 innings pitched. The right-hander has struck out 122 batters, which ranks seventh among SEC pitchers. Ward's six shutouts this season also ranked tied for fourth in single-season history.
Off the heels of being named one of 25 finalists for Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Freshman of the Year, Mia Davidson continues to be the clubhouse leader and is the lone Bulldog to record 35 or more hits, runs scored and RBIs this season. Davidson leads the SEC in total bases (122) and slugging percentage (.865), while ranking second in home runs (15), third in hits (60) and fourth in batting average (.426), runs scored (44) and doubles (13).
FLORIDA SERIES SCHEDULE
Friday, April 20 – No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 5 Florida (6 p.m. CT)
Saturday, April 21 – No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 5 Florida (1 p.m. CT)
Sunday, April 22 – No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 10 Texas A&M (12 p.m. CT)
LAST TIME OUT
In the final home midweek Nusz Park, No. 22 Mississippi State topple Memphis, 3-1, to sweep the home-and-home series with the Tigers. The Bulldogs recorded five hits in the contest, none bigger than junior Carmen Carter's two-RBI double in the second inning.
Tuesday, April 17
No. 22 Mississippi State def. Memphis, 3-1 (Recap, Box Score)
SERIES HISTORY
Against Florida
Overall: Florida leads 34-19
In Starkville: Florida leads 14-8
Last Meeting: Florida def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (10 inn.) (April 24, 2017 in Gainesville, Fla.)
Current Streak: Florida, +3
HURTS SO GOOD
For the 34th time in her career, Sarai Niu was hit by a pitch, which moves her into third all-time in program history. Briana Bell (2008-13) holds the program of 55.
SLUGGING TOWARDS SEASON RECORD
Just 43 games into her freshman season, Mia Davidson has already etched her name into the record books. Davidson slugged her 15th home run of the season during the series finale at Ole, which moves her into a tie for third all-time in single-season history with Jessica Cooley (2012).
Her 15 home are the second-most ever hit by a MSU freshman. Davidson now ranks only behind Courtney Bures (17, 2005).
BOMB SQUAD
As a team the Bulldogs have hit 40 home runs, which ranks tied for fourth in the Southeastern Conference and have turned in 13 multi-home run games this season. Freshman Mia Davidson leads the team and is second in the SEC with 15 home runs through the first 43 games of the season.
Five Bulldogs have also knocked the first home runs of their career this season: Carter, Spexarth, Grace Dabbs, Carmen Carter, Macey Petrey and Bevia Robinson.
WARD UP
Holly Ward's impressive start to her senior season has moved her into the MSU career record book. Recording her 11th career shutout in game two of the Ole Miss series, Ward now ranks fifth outright in school history for most career shutouts.
5th Shutouts 11
T5th Saves 7
6th Strikeouts 321
T6th Solo No-Hitters 1
8th Opponent Batting Avg. .237
9th Strikeouts per 7 inn. 5.64
MAMA MIA!
To say that Mia Davidson has had hot start to her freshman season would be an understatement. Not only has Davidson proven to be a spark to MSU offense's early success, but she has also ranks as one of the top hitters amongst the conference.
Davidson currently ranks in the top 10 in the Southeastern Conference in 10 offensive categories, including first in total bases (122) and slugging percentage (.865), second in home runs (15), third in hits (60) and fourth in batting average (.426), runs scored (44) and doubles (13).
MISSISSIPPI QUEEN
In her seventh season at the helm of Mississippi State softball, Vann Stuedeman has notched 235 wins to surpass Kathy Arendsen (1997-2002) for the second-most victories in program history. Jay Miller (2003-211) holds the program record at 295.
WEATHER
Friday, April 20 – 69 Degrees; Sunny (10%)
Saturday, April 21 – 73 Degrees; Partly Cloudy (0%)
Sunday, April 22 – 66 Degrees; Thunderstorms (100%)
WATCH LIVE
All three of this weekend's games will be streamed on the SEC Network+ via WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app.
Game One: No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 5 Florida
Game Two: No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 5 Florida
Game Three: No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 5 Florida
LIVE STATS
Mississippi State will provide live stats for all three games this weekend, which may be accessed through the link below.
No. 22 Mississippi State vs. No. 5 Florida Live Stats
ADMISSION
Admission to all regular-season home games at Nusz Park is free.
PROMOTIONS
FRIDAY - FREE Cheese Fries (While ; Supplies Last); Free T-Shirts & Gift Cards Throughout the Game; Up to 225 Hail State Rewards Points150 Bully's Kids Club Points
SATURDAY - Pregame: Women's Basketball Senior First Pitch; In-Game: Women's Basketball Team Recognition; Free T-Shirts & Gift Card; s Throughout the Game; Up to 225 Hail State Rewards Points, 150 Bully's Kids Club Points
SUNDAY - Free T-Shirts & Gift Cards Throughout the Game; Up to 225 Hail State Rewards Points; 150 Bully's Kids Club Points
ON DECK
Mississippi State kicks off its final road swing of the regular season with the last midweek contest of the 2018 on Wednesday, April 25 when the bulldogs travel to Troy for a 6 p.m. CT contest.
FOLLOW THE DAWGS
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
C/INF
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