Sunday, April 16
Starkville
1:00 PM
Mississippi State
23-19, 3-11
0
vs
1
#16 Alabama
32-12, 9-6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Alabama
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
5
1
Mississippi State
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
Wesley Shines In 1-0 Loss To No. 16 Alabama
April 16, 2023 | Softball
STARKVILLE – Aspen Wesley and Montana Fouts put on a show on Sunday. The two pitchers each allowed just five hits and combined for 12 strikeouts as Mississippi State dropped a pitchers' duel to No. 16 Alabama, 1-0.
Wesley had the upper hand in punch outs, retiring seven on strikes to Fouts' five, but the Bulldog starter allowed an RBI single with two outs in the third that brought home a leadoff walk. That would be the only run scored in the game, despite State (23-19, 3-11 SEC) threatening at multiple points.
"I think the biggest thing we've been looking for is consistency, and if we can play a game like this where we're executing all three phases well – we're error-free, we're putting hits up on the board, even our outs are loud outs, hitting the ball hard – I don't think we're quite in the hole that we are right now," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "Right now, it's using this to propel us forward and understand that we have to bring it every day, win or lose, and that it's time to step up. We're still in a position where we can fight for this team, and we need people bought in and continuing to fight through the ups and downs, because we know once we get on the other side of it we're going to be better for it."
The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the third on a walk, a hit and an error, but Nadia Barbary's hard hit ground ball up the third-base line was snagged on a dive to start an inning-ending double play. State put two runners aboard on back-to-back hits from Shea Moreno and Jackie McKenna in the fifth but left both runners stranded.
Madisyn Kennedy led off the seventh with a base hit, but the next three were retired in order to end the ballgame.
Wesley threw her third complete game of the season, which is tied for the team lead. She held Alabama (32-12, 9-6 SEC) to just 1-for-10 with runners on base throughout the game, working around four walks.
"The hope is that it gets people working harder and more checked in and locked in, asking for more, wanting it to be tougher [and] understanding that we need to really lock in and work even harder than we have been to come through and get out on the other side."
Aspen Wesley on her performance…
"Honestly, I feel like all the pitchers have been working their tails off in the bullpen. I feel like everyone who has thrown this weekend gave us a shot. We tried to do what we could do. Today felt really good. I felt like we were all free. We felt like ourselves. We haven't been ourselves in a while. Today felt like Mississippi State softball, and that is all we can ask for. Hopefully, we just go up from there."
Shea Moreno – Singled in her first game action since Feb. 26.
Brylie St. Clair – Beat out a bunt single … now has 16 infield hits this year and is 11-for-14 (.786) when bunting.
Aspen Wesley – Struck out seven in a complete game … allowed just one run … held Alabama to 1-for-10 with runners on base … was her highest strikeout total since the opening weekend of conference play against South Carolina … now tied for the team lead with three complete games this season.
Kristen White led off with a walk and stole second base. With two outs, Ally Shipman singled to center, scoring White from second.
No. 16 Alabama 1, Mississippi State 0
Wesley had the upper hand in punch outs, retiring seven on strikes to Fouts' five, but the Bulldog starter allowed an RBI single with two outs in the third that brought home a leadoff walk. That would be the only run scored in the game, despite State (23-19, 3-11 SEC) threatening at multiple points.
"I think the biggest thing we've been looking for is consistency, and if we can play a game like this where we're executing all three phases well – we're error-free, we're putting hits up on the board, even our outs are loud outs, hitting the ball hard – I don't think we're quite in the hole that we are right now," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "Right now, it's using this to propel us forward and understand that we have to bring it every day, win or lose, and that it's time to step up. We're still in a position where we can fight for this team, and we need people bought in and continuing to fight through the ups and downs, because we know once we get on the other side of it we're going to be better for it."
The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the third on a walk, a hit and an error, but Nadia Barbary's hard hit ground ball up the third-base line was snagged on a dive to start an inning-ending double play. State put two runners aboard on back-to-back hits from Shea Moreno and Jackie McKenna in the fifth but left both runners stranded.
Madisyn Kennedy led off the seventh with a base hit, but the next three were retired in order to end the ballgame.
Wesley threw her third complete game of the season, which is tied for the team lead. She held Alabama (32-12, 9-6 SEC) to just 1-for-10 with runners on base throughout the game, working around four walks.
Quotables
Samantha Ricketts on takeaways from a close game on Sunday…"The hope is that it gets people working harder and more checked in and locked in, asking for more, wanting it to be tougher [and] understanding that we need to really lock in and work even harder than we have been to come through and get out on the other side."
Aspen Wesley on her performance…
"Honestly, I feel like all the pitchers have been working their tails off in the bullpen. I feel like everyone who has thrown this weekend gave us a shot. We tried to do what we could do. Today felt really good. I felt like we were all free. We felt like ourselves. We haven't been ourselves in a while. Today felt like Mississippi State softball, and that is all we can ask for. Hopefully, we just go up from there."
Quick Hitters
Jackie McKenna – Walked and singled.Shea Moreno – Singled in her first game action since Feb. 26.
Brylie St. Clair – Beat out a bunt single … now has 16 infield hits this year and is 11-for-14 (.786) when bunting.
Aspen Wesley – Struck out seven in a complete game … allowed just one run … held Alabama to 1-for-10 with runners on base … was her highest strikeout total since the opening weekend of conference play against South Carolina … now tied for the team lead with three complete games this season.
Scoring Recap
Top 3 Kristen White led off with a walk and stole second base. With two outs, Ally Shipman singled to center, scoring White from second.
No. 16 Alabama 1, Mississippi State 0
On Deck
The Bulldogs will remain at home for a midweek matchup against Memphis on Wednesday, April 19 at 6 p.m. CT. State then travels to Baton Rouge to meet No. 13 LSU. Saturday night's game will see all SEC teams wear teal or teal accents on All For Alex day to honor the legacy of former Bulldog Alex Wilcox. That game will be televised on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. with the remaining two contests airing on SEC Network+.Follow the Bulldogs
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Montana Fouts (17-6)
L: Wesley, Aspen (5-6)
Batting:
RBI: Ally Shipman 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kristen White 1
SB: Ally Shipman 1 ; Kristen White 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
ph/2b
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ SoftballINF
/ SoftballC/UTL
/ SoftballC/INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
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