State Drops One-Run Contest At No. 12 Arkansas

Sunday, March 28

Fayetteville, Ark.

1:00 PM

Mississippi State

15-14, 0-9

#15 Arkansas

28-3, 9-0

Mississippi State

Arkansas

State Drops One-Run Contest At No. 12 Arkansas

March 28, 2021 | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Brian Ogden, Assistant Director/Communications

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Mississippi State was locked in a tie ballgame at No. 12 Arkansas on Sunday until a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth gave the Razorbacks the lead for good.

Mia Davidson hit a solo homer with two outs in the top of the sixth, but the Bulldogs (15-14, 0-9 SEC) could not close the gap and fell, 4-3, on the road.

"I thought we gave ourselves a chance in all three games. That was something we've been focusing on doing and we need to continue doing moving forward," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "Continue working on the little things and executing the details and process. I think that's ultimately what was our undoing was just giving away freebies and extra outs and opportunities."

Arkansas (28-3, 9-0 SEC) scored in the second following a hit batter, a passed ball and an RBI single. Fa Leilua answered in the top of the third with a two-run home run cutting through the wind blowing in from left.

In the sixth, Arkansas' Hannah McEwen and Braxton Burnside struck for two runs. The pair had been held hitless in the series up to that point, but McEwen hit a two-out double before Burnside homered.

Annie Willis threw 5.0 innings, striking out seven while walking just one. Emily Williams came on in relief to throw a scoreless sixth.

"Hopefully going into the next stretch will get us on a roll for the second half of the season," Ricketts added.

Quotables

Samantha Ricketts on Burnside's home run:
"Tip of your cap to Arkansas there. They're a great team on a roll, and that's their best hitter doing what you want your best hitter to do in a big moment, putting her team on top. Annie gives us a chance every time she's out there and competes. That's exactly what we ask for from her."

Samantha Ricketts on Mia Davidson and Fa Leilua's home runs:
"Again, you want your best players coming up in clutch moments, and Mia and Fa did that for us. We have to make sure we're providing them with support and getting on base in front of and behind them. Good to see both of them driving the ball, especially on a tough, windy day."

Quick Hitters

Mia Davidson – Hit the 60^th home run of her career to move into a tie for eighth in SEC softball career history with Kelly Kretschman (Alabama) … Is third in MSU baseball and softball history behind Will Clark (61) and Rafael Palmeiro (67).

Fa Leilua – Hit her 40^th home run as a Bulldog and 59^th of her career … Went 4-for-9 in the series with a .778 slugging percentage.

Emily Williams – Tied the MSU career record for looking strikeouts with the 102^nd of her career (Alison Owen, 2013-14).

Annie Willis – Totaled 19 strikeouts in the series … Was in the circle for 33 outs in two games and was involved in 22 of them (19 strikeouts, 1 putout, 2 assists).

Scoring Recap

Bottom 2
Kayla Green was hit by a pitch to open the inning. She advanced to second on a wild pitch. Following a strikeout, a single from Aly Manzo brought Green home.
Mississippi State 0, Arkansas 1

Top 3
With two outs, Paige Cook singled, and Fa Leilua hit a two-run home run.
Mississippi State 2, Arkansas 1

Bottom 3
Sam Torres singled, and Hannah McEwen walked to open the frame. On a double steal attempt, the throw to third skipped into left field allowing Torres to score.
Mississippi State 2, Arkansas 2

Bottom 5
With two outs, McEwen doubled before Braxton Burnside homered.
Mississippi State 2, Arkansas 4

Top 6
Mia Davidson hit a solo home run with two outs.
Mississippi State 3, Arkansas 4

On Deck

The Bulldogs will travel to Southern Miss on Wednesday, March 31. First pitch from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is set for 6 p.m. CT.

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