Friday, March 5
Starkville
3:00 PM
Mississippi State
9-5
8
vs
3
Ball State
2-4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Ball State
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
3
7
2
Mississippi State
4
1
0
3
0
0
X
8
6
2
Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
No. 18 Softball Opens Bulldog Invitational With Two Offensive Outbursts
March 05, 2021 | Softball
STARKVILLE – No. 18 Mississippi State softball scored 24 runs on its way to two victories on the opening day of the Bulldog Invitational Friday evening.
The Bulldogs (10-5) defeated Ball State, 8-3, and Alcorn State, 16-0, in five innings. Carter Spexarth drove in six runs in the two games, and Mia Davidson was 5-for-7 on the day with a double, triple and two RBIs.
"Overall, I thought we played two very complete games, good offensively, defensively and hitting," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "I really liked how we answered back after Ball State scored, both times, early in the game. We put an emphasis on shutting down innings and putting a zero up on the board after we scored, and our pitchers and defense really answered that call. Then the offense did a good job being able to answer back after a couple runs that were scored against us."
Against Ball State (2-4), the Bulldogs were led by Chloe Malau'ulu, Fa Leilua, Montana Davidson and Spexarth. After going down a run, Malau'ulu scored twice in the first two innings, and Leilua hit a milestone three-run homer in the bottom of the first. With her blast, Leilua moved into a tie for third in school history, boasting 37 long balls in the Maroon and White.
State added a three-spot in the fourth when Montana Davidson drove a two-run single up the middle with the bases loaded. Spexarth also brought home a run on a groundout. Montana Davidson finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
In the nightcap, the Bulldog bats came alive for 16 runs in a five-inning victory over Alcorn State (2-6). Mia Davidson went 4-for-4, marking the first four-hit performance for the Bulldogs since she did so in the 2020 series finale at Southern Miss on March 11. She came up a home run shy of the cycle and drove in a pair of runs, while scoring four times.
Spexarth hit a two-run home and doubled home a pair for a four-RBI night. She is the second Bulldog with a four-RBI game this year. Malau'ulu and Kiki Edwards, who singled in a pinch hit at-bat, also drove in two runs.
Annie Willis earned her fifth win of the year against Ball State, striking out six over 6.0 innings. Aspen Wesley had a career night against the Lady Braves, picking up her second win while striking out a career-best nine batters and allowing just one hit.
"I really think the game rewards her. She plays hard and runs hard out the box every hit whether it's her first at bat or her eighth. She is a really hard-working kid, and it rewards her for that. She can hit different speeds to all different locations of the ballpark. It's good to see her back in her rhythm."
Samantha Ricketts on Aspen Wesley's career high:
"Aspen really has been having a great season. The poise that she has and the ability to locate the ball, she induces a lot of swings and misses because of that. I really like the confidence she is building in herself and with the team behind her with us going into conference play."
Samantha Ricketts on Fa Leilua climbing the MSU career home run leaderboard:
"For Fa to already be on our career list and she hasn't even spent her whole career here really is a testament to how great she has been in her time in Maroon and White. All of her home runs are great, but that one in particular [tonight] was important after giving up a run at the top of the first, to get that run back for us and put us in front. She really does a good job and is a clutch hitter at picking up RBIs when we need her to."
Mia Davidson – Went 4-for-4 against Alcorn State, marking the first four-hit game by a Bulldog since she did so at Southern Miss in the final game of the 2020 season … Came a home run shy of the cycle … Was 5-for-7 on the day with six runs scored.
Fa Leilua – Hit her 37th home run as a Bulldog, moving into a tie with Iyhia McMichael (2001-04) and Caroline Seitz (2014-17) for third in school history.
Chloe Malau'ulu – Reached base in both games to extend her career-long streak to 20 contests … Saw her career-long hitting streak die at six games against Ball State … Scored four runs on the day … Went 2-for-2 against Alcorn State with a two-run homer.
Addison Purvis – Pinch hit against Alcorn State and drove her first career extra-base hit in left center for an RBI double.
Christian Quinn – Stole a base in each game … Scored twice.
Carter Spexarth – Finished the day with six RBIs … Hit a two-run double and a two-run homer against Alcorn State … Is the second Bulldog with a four-RBI game this season … Went 2-for-4 on the day.
Aspen Wesley – Struck out a career-high nine batters in just 4.0 innings … Allowed only one hit in the ball game.
Annie Willis – Recorded her 100th strikeout as a Bulldog on her second punch out of the game … Now leads the team with five wins on the year … Finished with six strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work.
With one out, Kennedy Wynn walked. Janae Hogg singled off the pitcher, and the ball deflected to the catcher who made an errant throw attempting to retire Hogg at first. Wynn scored on the play, but Hogg was thrown out at second base while trying to advance.
Ball State 1, Mississippi State 0
Bottom 1
Chloe Malau'ulu walked and stole second base. Mia Davidson singled to left field advancing Malau'ulu to third. Fa Leilua homered to left field to score three. Anna Kate Segars was hit by a pitch then advanced to third on a double to center from Montana Davidson. Carter Spexarth hit a deep foul fly to left field for a sacrifice fly to score Segars.
Ball State 1, Mississippi State 4
Bottom 2
Malau'ulu walked then advanced to second on a fly out to deep left field by Mia Davidson. Leilua singled to third base, but the late throw to first sailed. That allowed Leilua to advance to second and Malau'ulu to score on the error.
Ball State 1, Mississippi State 5
Top 4
With two outs, Hogg doubled down the left field line. Hannah Dukeman came on to pinch run for Hogg. Dukeman scored on a single up the middle by Stacy Payton.
Ball State 2, Mississippi State 5
Bottom 4
Mia Davidson led off with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Leilua also walked, followed by another wild pitch advancing her to second and pushing Mia Davidson to third. Segars walked to load the bases. Montana Davidson singled up the middle scoring her sister and Leilua and advancing Segars to third. Carter Spexarth hit a ground ball to shortstop, scoring Segars.
Ball State 2, Mississippi State 8
Top 6
Wynn led off with a solo home run to center field.
Ball State 3, Mississippi State 8
Chloe Malau'ulu and Mia Davidson opened the bottom of the first with back-to-back singles. A wild pitch allowed the runners to advance to second and third. A one-out sacrifice fly to center field from Anna Kate Segars scored Malau'ulu. Montana Davidson then walked to bring Carter Spexarth to the plate. Spexarth doubled to right center to score both Davidson sisters.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 3
Bottom 2
Jackie McKenna drew a leadoff walked, but was retired on a fielder's choice allowing Christian Quinn to reach first. Quinn stole second before Malau'ulu homered to straightaway center field. Mia Davidson then tripled off the right field wall and scored on a sacrifice fly from Leilua.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 6
Bottom 3
Montana Davidson singled to shortstop before Spexarth homered. Paige Cook singled to shortstop and stole second. McKenna singled to center field and advanced to second on the throw attempting to get Cook at third. Cook then scored on a passed ball that allowed McKenna to take third. Quinn walked to put runners on the corners with no outs. Brylie St. Clair lined out as a pinch hitter. Mia Davidson doubled down the left field line, scoring McKenna and advancing Quinn to third. Leilua walked and was pinch ran for by Kenley Hawk. A wild pitch allowed all runners to advance, scoring Quinn. Segars was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Kiki Edwards pinch hit for Montana Davidson and drove a two-run single into center field.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 13
Bottom 4
McKenna singled to left field to open the frame. Addison Purvis pinch hit and doubled to left center, advancing McKenna to third. St. Clair grounded out to first base to score McKenna and advance Purvis. Mia Davidson singled through the left side sending Purvis home. Leilua reached on an error that also allowed Mia Davidson to reach third. Celeste Soliz pinch hit for Segars and reached on a fielder's choice as Leilua was tagged out at second and Mia Davidson scored.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 16
The Bulldogs (10-5) defeated Ball State, 8-3, and Alcorn State, 16-0, in five innings. Carter Spexarth drove in six runs in the two games, and Mia Davidson was 5-for-7 on the day with a double, triple and two RBIs.
"Overall, I thought we played two very complete games, good offensively, defensively and hitting," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "I really liked how we answered back after Ball State scored, both times, early in the game. We put an emphasis on shutting down innings and putting a zero up on the board after we scored, and our pitchers and defense really answered that call. Then the offense did a good job being able to answer back after a couple runs that were scored against us."
Against Ball State (2-4), the Bulldogs were led by Chloe Malau'ulu, Fa Leilua, Montana Davidson and Spexarth. After going down a run, Malau'ulu scored twice in the first two innings, and Leilua hit a milestone three-run homer in the bottom of the first. With her blast, Leilua moved into a tie for third in school history, boasting 37 long balls in the Maroon and White.
State added a three-spot in the fourth when Montana Davidson drove a two-run single up the middle with the bases loaded. Spexarth also brought home a run on a groundout. Montana Davidson finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
In the nightcap, the Bulldog bats came alive for 16 runs in a five-inning victory over Alcorn State (2-6). Mia Davidson went 4-for-4, marking the first four-hit performance for the Bulldogs since she did so in the 2020 series finale at Southern Miss on March 11. She came up a home run shy of the cycle and drove in a pair of runs, while scoring four times.
Spexarth hit a two-run home and doubled home a pair for a four-RBI night. She is the second Bulldog with a four-RBI game this year. Malau'ulu and Kiki Edwards, who singled in a pinch hit at-bat, also drove in two runs.
Annie Willis earned her fifth win of the year against Ball State, striking out six over 6.0 innings. Aspen Wesley had a career night against the Lady Braves, picking up her second win while striking out a career-best nine batters and allowing just one hit.
Quotables
Samantha Ricketts on Mia Davidson's 4-for-4 game: "I really think the game rewards her. She plays hard and runs hard out the box every hit whether it's her first at bat or her eighth. She is a really hard-working kid, and it rewards her for that. She can hit different speeds to all different locations of the ballpark. It's good to see her back in her rhythm."
Samantha Ricketts on Aspen Wesley's career high:
"Aspen really has been having a great season. The poise that she has and the ability to locate the ball, she induces a lot of swings and misses because of that. I really like the confidence she is building in herself and with the team behind her with us going into conference play."
Samantha Ricketts on Fa Leilua climbing the MSU career home run leaderboard:
"For Fa to already be on our career list and she hasn't even spent her whole career here really is a testament to how great she has been in her time in Maroon and White. All of her home runs are great, but that one in particular [tonight] was important after giving up a run at the top of the first, to get that run back for us and put us in front. She really does a good job and is a clutch hitter at picking up RBIs when we need her to."
Quick Hitters
Light It Up – The Bulldogs scored seven runs in the third inning against Alcorn State while sending 12 batters to the plate … It marked State's fifth time scoring five or more runs in an inning this year and its highest single-inning scoring total of the season.Mia Davidson – Went 4-for-4 against Alcorn State, marking the first four-hit game by a Bulldog since she did so at Southern Miss in the final game of the 2020 season … Came a home run shy of the cycle … Was 5-for-7 on the day with six runs scored.
Fa Leilua – Hit her 37th home run as a Bulldog, moving into a tie with Iyhia McMichael (2001-04) and Caroline Seitz (2014-17) for third in school history.
Chloe Malau'ulu – Reached base in both games to extend her career-long streak to 20 contests … Saw her career-long hitting streak die at six games against Ball State … Scored four runs on the day … Went 2-for-2 against Alcorn State with a two-run homer.
Addison Purvis – Pinch hit against Alcorn State and drove her first career extra-base hit in left center for an RBI double.
Christian Quinn – Stole a base in each game … Scored twice.
Carter Spexarth – Finished the day with six RBIs … Hit a two-run double and a two-run homer against Alcorn State … Is the second Bulldog with a four-RBI game this season … Went 2-for-4 on the day.
Aspen Wesley – Struck out a career-high nine batters in just 4.0 innings … Allowed only one hit in the ball game.
Annie Willis – Recorded her 100th strikeout as a Bulldog on her second punch out of the game … Now leads the team with five wins on the year … Finished with six strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work.
vs. Ball State Scoring Recap
Top 1With one out, Kennedy Wynn walked. Janae Hogg singled off the pitcher, and the ball deflected to the catcher who made an errant throw attempting to retire Hogg at first. Wynn scored on the play, but Hogg was thrown out at second base while trying to advance.
Ball State 1, Mississippi State 0
Bottom 1
Chloe Malau'ulu walked and stole second base. Mia Davidson singled to left field advancing Malau'ulu to third. Fa Leilua homered to left field to score three. Anna Kate Segars was hit by a pitch then advanced to third on a double to center from Montana Davidson. Carter Spexarth hit a deep foul fly to left field for a sacrifice fly to score Segars.
Ball State 1, Mississippi State 4
Bottom 2
Malau'ulu walked then advanced to second on a fly out to deep left field by Mia Davidson. Leilua singled to third base, but the late throw to first sailed. That allowed Leilua to advance to second and Malau'ulu to score on the error.
Ball State 1, Mississippi State 5
Top 4
With two outs, Hogg doubled down the left field line. Hannah Dukeman came on to pinch run for Hogg. Dukeman scored on a single up the middle by Stacy Payton.
Ball State 2, Mississippi State 5
Bottom 4
Mia Davidson led off with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Leilua also walked, followed by another wild pitch advancing her to second and pushing Mia Davidson to third. Segars walked to load the bases. Montana Davidson singled up the middle scoring her sister and Leilua and advancing Segars to third. Carter Spexarth hit a ground ball to shortstop, scoring Segars.
Ball State 2, Mississippi State 8
Top 6
Wynn led off with a solo home run to center field.
Ball State 3, Mississippi State 8
vs. Alcorn State Scoring Recap
Bottom 1Chloe Malau'ulu and Mia Davidson opened the bottom of the first with back-to-back singles. A wild pitch allowed the runners to advance to second and third. A one-out sacrifice fly to center field from Anna Kate Segars scored Malau'ulu. Montana Davidson then walked to bring Carter Spexarth to the plate. Spexarth doubled to right center to score both Davidson sisters.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 3
Bottom 2
Jackie McKenna drew a leadoff walked, but was retired on a fielder's choice allowing Christian Quinn to reach first. Quinn stole second before Malau'ulu homered to straightaway center field. Mia Davidson then tripled off the right field wall and scored on a sacrifice fly from Leilua.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 6
Bottom 3
Montana Davidson singled to shortstop before Spexarth homered. Paige Cook singled to shortstop and stole second. McKenna singled to center field and advanced to second on the throw attempting to get Cook at third. Cook then scored on a passed ball that allowed McKenna to take third. Quinn walked to put runners on the corners with no outs. Brylie St. Clair lined out as a pinch hitter. Mia Davidson doubled down the left field line, scoring McKenna and advancing Quinn to third. Leilua walked and was pinch ran for by Kenley Hawk. A wild pitch allowed all runners to advance, scoring Quinn. Segars was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Kiki Edwards pinch hit for Montana Davidson and drove a two-run single into center field.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 13
Bottom 4
McKenna singled to left field to open the frame. Addison Purvis pinch hit and doubled to left center, advancing McKenna to third. St. Clair grounded out to first base to score McKenna and advance Purvis. Mia Davidson singled through the left side sending Purvis home. Leilua reached on an error that also allowed Mia Davidson to reach third. Celeste Soliz pinch hit for Segars and reached on a fielder's choice as Leilua was tagged out at second and Mia Davidson scored.
Alcorn State 0, Mississippi State 16
On Deck
The Bulldogs continue play in the Bulldog Invitational with their final pool play game at 12:30 p.m. CT on Saturday against Western Kentucky. Following that game, the Bulldogs will honor members of the 2020 senior class on the field. The No. 1 seed will play the No. 4 seed at 3:30 p.m., and the No. 2 seed will play the No. 3 seed at 6 p.m.Follow the Bulldogs
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Willis, Annie (5-0)
L: ROTHWELL, Alyssa (0-1)
S: Loza, Alyssa (1)
Batting:
2B: HOGG, Janae 1
HR: WYNN, Kennedy 1
RBI: WYNN, Kennedy 1 ; PAYTON, Stacy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: WYNN, Kennedy 2 ; DUKEMAN, Hannah 1
Batting:
2B: Davidson, Montana 1
HR: Leilua, Fa 1
RBI: Leilua, Fa 3 ; Davidson, Montana 2 ; Spexarth, Carter 2
SF: Spexarth, Carter 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Malau'ulu, Chloe 2 ; Davidson, Mia 2 ; Leilua, Fa 2 ; Segars, Anna Kate 2
SB: Malau'ulu, Chloe 1 ; Quinn, Christian 1
HBP: Segars, Anna Kate 1 ; Kennedy, Madisyn 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
3B/UTL
/ Softball
C/INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P/OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C/3B
/ Softball
P/UTL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF/1B
/ Softball
C/UTL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
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