Friday, May 29
Oklahoma City, Okla.
6 p.m.
Mississippi State
43-21
0
vs
4
#6 Texas
48-12
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| Mississippi State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Bulldogs’ Season Comes To An End At Women’s College World Series
May 29, 2026 | Softball
OKLAHOMA CITY – No. 20 Mississippi State saw its season end at the Women's College World Series on Friday night, falling, 4-0, to reigning national champion and No. 6 Texas.
The Longhorns (48-12) did nearly all their scoring with the home run ball. Kaiah Altmeyer hit a two-run homer in the second, and Kayden Henry added a solo shot in the fifth. An RBI double from Viviana Martinez in the seventh provided the final run.
"Obviously not the result we wanted, but I could not be more proud of this group for what they've done for Mississippi State softball and for each other, the way they've represented this team, this program, our community, and the support that we've seen from so many people back home, across the country that have come out to support us," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "I think we're overall very thankful for the love and support that we've seen, from everything with the Broccoli Guy to just how much people have talked about this group, because they deserve it. They believed that Mississippi State could be here on this stage when nobody else did. They put in the work and continued to set this as a goal and raise the standard for our program through the good days and the bad. There really was not a doubt for anyone in this program that we would be at this stage sooner rather than later."
Xiane Romero paced State's (43-21) offense. She posted the first multi-hit game at the World Series in program history while adding the first extra-base hit with a first-inning double. She tallied a career-high three hits, and Kinley Keller added a single.
Delainey Everett started and went 4.0 innings, allowing just three hits, but one of them was a two-run home run. State handed the ball off to Peja Goold for 2.1 innings, and Alyssa Faircloth picked up the final two outs.
"I think just this season as a whole, no matter if you're a freshman or a senior, if it's your first year or however long, it's being able to build this sisterhood, which we really took seriously, and being able to live out all of our dreams. We did the unthinkable, making history throughout our whole season. Yes, this sucks right now, but it's like what's a better way to end it at the end, you know?"
Samantha Ricketts on the impact of Nadia Barbary on the MSU program…
"Oh, man. I don't know if I can really put that into words with Nadia. She committed in the eighth grade. I was still an assistant coach here. The rule change went in. We couldn't talk to her for two years. That's when we went through the coaching change. I got the job. She stayed loyal even through all of that, when I know for a fact people were trying to get her to not be loyal. For her just to really truly believe in not just me and [associate head coach Tyler Bratton], but the program, what we were building, it's just invaluable. She was such a big part not just what she did on the field but in bringing all these players we brought in after her. She sold that for Mississippi State. She was a leader on and off, an example for all of them with her hard work."
Kinley Keller – Singled to reach base in every game of the 2026 postseason … extended her career-long reached-base streak to 11 games.
Xiane Romero – Doubled for State's first extra-base hit ever at the Women's College World Series … went 3-for-3 for a career high in hits … finished with 10 hits this postseason.
Des Rivera – Caught a runner stealing to end the seventh.
Streak Ended – Morgan Stiles was held without a hit in an NCAA Tournament game for the first time in her career, ending a streak of 11 games.
Hannah Wells singled through the left side. She was retired at second on Ashton Maloney's fielder's choice to first base. Kaiah Altmeyer hit a two-run home run to right field.
No. 6 Texas 2, No. 20 Mississippi State 0
Top 5
With one out, Kayden Henry hit a solo homer down the right field line.
No. 6 Texas 3, No. 20 Mississippi State 0
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
The Longhorns (48-12) did nearly all their scoring with the home run ball. Kaiah Altmeyer hit a two-run homer in the second, and Kayden Henry added a solo shot in the fifth. An RBI double from Viviana Martinez in the seventh provided the final run.
"Obviously not the result we wanted, but I could not be more proud of this group for what they've done for Mississippi State softball and for each other, the way they've represented this team, this program, our community, and the support that we've seen from so many people back home, across the country that have come out to support us," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "I think we're overall very thankful for the love and support that we've seen, from everything with the Broccoli Guy to just how much people have talked about this group, because they deserve it. They believed that Mississippi State could be here on this stage when nobody else did. They put in the work and continued to set this as a goal and raise the standard for our program through the good days and the bad. There really was not a doubt for anyone in this program that we would be at this stage sooner rather than later."
Xiane Romero paced State's (43-21) offense. She posted the first multi-hit game at the World Series in program history while adding the first extra-base hit with a first-inning double. She tallied a career-high three hits, and Kinley Keller added a single.
Delainey Everett started and went 4.0 innings, allowing just three hits, but one of them was a two-run home run. State handed the ball off to Peja Goold for 2.1 innings, and Alyssa Faircloth picked up the final two outs.
Quotables
Morgan Bernardini on what she will remember from this year…"I think just this season as a whole, no matter if you're a freshman or a senior, if it's your first year or however long, it's being able to build this sisterhood, which we really took seriously, and being able to live out all of our dreams. We did the unthinkable, making history throughout our whole season. Yes, this sucks right now, but it's like what's a better way to end it at the end, you know?"
Samantha Ricketts on the impact of Nadia Barbary on the MSU program…
"Oh, man. I don't know if I can really put that into words with Nadia. She committed in the eighth grade. I was still an assistant coach here. The rule change went in. We couldn't talk to her for two years. That's when we went through the coaching change. I got the job. She stayed loyal even through all of that, when I know for a fact people were trying to get her to not be loyal. For her just to really truly believe in not just me and [associate head coach Tyler Bratton], but the program, what we were building, it's just invaluable. She was such a big part not just what she did on the field but in bringing all these players we brought in after her. She sold that for Mississippi State. She was a leader on and off, an example for all of them with her hard work."
Quick Hitters
Paige Ernstes – Turned an unassisted double play in the fourth.Kinley Keller – Singled to reach base in every game of the 2026 postseason … extended her career-long reached-base streak to 11 games.
Xiane Romero – Doubled for State's first extra-base hit ever at the Women's College World Series … went 3-for-3 for a career high in hits … finished with 10 hits this postseason.
Des Rivera – Caught a runner stealing to end the seventh.
Streak Ended – Morgan Stiles was held without a hit in an NCAA Tournament game for the first time in her career, ending a streak of 11 games.
Scoring Recap
Top 2Hannah Wells singled through the left side. She was retired at second on Ashton Maloney's fielder's choice to first base. Kaiah Altmeyer hit a two-run home run to right field.
No. 6 Texas 2, No. 20 Mississippi State 0
Top 5
With one out, Kayden Henry hit a solo homer down the right field line.
No. 6 Texas 3, No. 20 Mississippi State 0
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Teagan Kavan (26-6)
L: Everett, Delainey (3-2)
Batting:
2B: Kayden Henry 1 ; Viviana Martinez 1
HR: Kayden Henry 1 ; Kaiah Altmeyer 1
RBI: Kayden Henry 1 ; Viviana Martinez 1 ; Kaiah Altmeyer 2
SH: Viviana Martinez 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kayden Henry 1 ; Katie Stewart 1 ; Ashton Maloney 1 ; Kaiah Altmeyer 1
CS: Leighann Goode 1
HBP: Katie Stewart 1 ; Victoria Hunter 1
Batting:
2B: Romero, Xiane 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
3
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C/INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
C
/ SoftballINF
/ SoftballINF
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