Thursday, May 28
Oklahoma City, Okla.
11 a.m.
Mississippi State
43-20
0
vs
8
#4 Texas Tech
58-7
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Texas Tech | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 0 |
Bulldogs Drop WCWS Opener To No. 4 Texas Tech
May 28, 2026 | Softball
OKLAHOMA CITY – No. 20 Mississippi State lost its opening game at the Women's College World Series to No. 4 Texas Tech, 8-0.
The Red Raiders (58-7) opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the first. They plated two more runs in the second before scoring four with the help of two errors in the fifth.
"You could tell we were a little bit different during BP today, tried to get them out of that," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "It didn't really turn it on until the fourth inning for us. That mindset and that switch and that approach that we expect and that we know how to do, that we showed last weekend, has to start right now.
It's the belief that we belong here, we're here to compete, that we expect to win, that we're going to play Mississippi State softball and let it fall where it may. They need to start talking about that and believing it now, not when it's too late tomorrow night."
Kinley Keller reached in every plate appearance for the Bulldogs (43-20), drawing a walk and picking up a single. Morgan Stiles extended her NCAA Tournament hitting streak to all 11 postseason games of her career.
"Yeah, I mean, she's a great pitcher. We just came in with the plan we're going to get on top of the ball and attack her first pitch. We waited with that until the third inning. I think we have to attack better starting from the first pitch, because we can do that, we're capable of it."
Samantha Ricketts on the process for tomorrow's game…
"I think it's going back to trusting our experience through the SEC. The way we did that a lot, not trying to carry it with us. Get back into our routine. A 6 p.m. game tomorrow sets us up to treat it like a Friday night in the SEC. We'll go about that the way we typically do in our normal routine and keep the team together. The biggest thing was getting them to buy into what that approach is going to be for us starting right now, starting when they go to dinner with their parents."
Kinley Keller – Singled and walked … has reached base in every game of the 2026 postseason … extended her career-long reached-base streak to 10 games.
Morgan Stiles – Added to her MSU NCAA Tournament career record with her 17th hit … boasts a career .459 (17-for-37) average in the NCAA Tournament … has a hit in all 11 NCAA Tournament games she's played in her career.
Mia Williams was hit by the first pitch of the game before Jackie Lis hit a two-run homer.
No. 20 Mississippi State 0, No. 4 Texas Tech 2
Bottom 2
Mihyia Davis reached on an infield single and scored on a Lauren Allred double down the right-field line. With one out, Lagi Quiroga walked before Williams hit an RBI double, scoring Allred from second.
No. 20 Mississippi State 0, No. 4 Texas Tech 4
Bottom 5
Williams walked and advanced to third when the catcher's pickoff throw hit off her helmet and went out of play. Lis singled through the left side, scoring Williams. Taylor Pannell reached on a fielder's choice, and Lis beat the play at second. Kaitlyn Terry singled to center, scoring Lis. A Davis single scored Pannell and a throwing error on the attempt to catch Terry taking third, allowed her to score.
No. 20 Mississippi State 0, No. 4 Texas Tech 8
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
The Red Raiders (58-7) opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the first. They plated two more runs in the second before scoring four with the help of two errors in the fifth.
"You could tell we were a little bit different during BP today, tried to get them out of that," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "It didn't really turn it on until the fourth inning for us. That mindset and that switch and that approach that we expect and that we know how to do, that we showed last weekend, has to start right now.
It's the belief that we belong here, we're here to compete, that we expect to win, that we're going to play Mississippi State softball and let it fall where it may. They need to start talking about that and believing it now, not when it's too late tomorrow night."
Kinley Keller reached in every plate appearance for the Bulldogs (43-20), drawing a walk and picking up a single. Morgan Stiles extended her NCAA Tournament hitting streak to all 11 postseason games of her career.
Quotables
Kinley Keller on facing NiJaree Canady when she has a lead…"Yeah, I mean, she's a great pitcher. We just came in with the plan we're going to get on top of the ball and attack her first pitch. We waited with that until the third inning. I think we have to attack better starting from the first pitch, because we can do that, we're capable of it."
Samantha Ricketts on the process for tomorrow's game…
"I think it's going back to trusting our experience through the SEC. The way we did that a lot, not trying to carry it with us. Get back into our routine. A 6 p.m. game tomorrow sets us up to treat it like a Friday night in the SEC. We'll go about that the way we typically do in our normal routine and keep the team together. The biggest thing was getting them to buy into what that approach is going to be for us starting right now, starting when they go to dinner with their parents."
Quick Hitters
Peja Goold – Retired the first eight batters she faced in order.Kinley Keller – Singled and walked … has reached base in every game of the 2026 postseason … extended her career-long reached-base streak to 10 games.
Morgan Stiles – Added to her MSU NCAA Tournament career record with her 17th hit … boasts a career .459 (17-for-37) average in the NCAA Tournament … has a hit in all 11 NCAA Tournament games she's played in her career.
Scoring Recap
Bottom 1Mia Williams was hit by the first pitch of the game before Jackie Lis hit a two-run homer.
No. 20 Mississippi State 0, No. 4 Texas Tech 2
Bottom 2
Mihyia Davis reached on an infield single and scored on a Lauren Allred double down the right-field line. With one out, Lagi Quiroga walked before Williams hit an RBI double, scoring Allred from second.
No. 20 Mississippi State 0, No. 4 Texas Tech 4
Bottom 5
Williams walked and advanced to third when the catcher's pickoff throw hit off her helmet and went out of play. Lis singled through the left side, scoring Williams. Taylor Pannell reached on a fielder's choice, and Lis beat the play at second. Kaitlyn Terry singled to center, scoring Lis. A Davis single scored Pannell and a throwing error on the attempt to catch Terry taking third, allowed her to score.
No. 20 Mississippi State 0, No. 4 Texas Tech 8
Next Up
The Bulldogs will now play in Friday night's elimination game at 6 p.m. CT. State is scheduled to face the loser between No. 6 Texas and No. 8 Tennessee on ESPN.For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Nijaree Canady (26-6)
L: Faircloth, Alyssa (16-8)
Batting:
2B: Mia Williams 1 ; Lauren Allred 1
HR: Jackie Lis 1
RBI: Mia Williams 1 ; Jackie Lis 3 ; Kaitlyn Terry 1 ; Mihyia Davis 1 ; Lauren Allred 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mia Williams 2 ; Jackie Lis 2 ; Taylor Pannell 1 ; Kaitlyn Terry 1 ; Mihyia Davis 1 ; Lauren Allred 1
HBP: Mia Williams 1
Game Leaders
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
1
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
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