by Brian Ogden, MSU Communications
IRVINE, Calif. – A two-run single from Paige Cook in the bottom of the sixth broke a tie ballgame and pushed Mississippi State to a 4-2 victory on Opening Day.
Matalasi Faapito provided the rest of State’s (1-0) scoring with a two-run homer in her first Bulldog at-bat. Brylie St. Clair paced the offense, going 3-for-3 with a double, and Mia Davidson added a double in a 2-for-2 day.
Davidson also caught a runner stealing and picked one off first base. It was the 36th caught stealing of her career, which ranks fourth in school history, and her school-record 10th pickoff.
“I thought it was good to get out there and knock out some of the jitters,” head coach Samantha Ricketts said. “We started out a little bit nervous but settled in. I think Opening Day always has a little bit of nerves with it, but we’re just happy to be back on the field.”
Aspen Wesley (MBCI) drew the Opening Day start and went six innings without allowing an earned run. She struck out seven before Annie Willis came on to pick up her second career save.
The Bulldogs have now won their season opener in every season since 2014 and is 21-10 overall in season openers.
Hohou (Thank you) for reporting on Native Student Athletes & Professional Native Athletes