Softball vs. Georgia Southern - OPENING DAY THREAD - Meet your girls!

[BulldogBear]

This year's team:

#2 Kat Moore (FR)
1735 Bats - L, Throws - R (Utility)

#3 Katie Anne Bailey (JR)
1736 Bats - R, Throws - R (Catcher)

#4 Cassady Knudsen (SO)
1737 Bats - R, Throws - R (Pitcher)

#7 Reggie Harrison (JR)
1738 Bats - R, Throws - R (Infield)

#8 Alexis Silkwood (JR)
1739 Bats - L, Throws - R (Pitcher)


To be continued...

[BulldogBear]

#9 Kayla Winkfield (SR)
1740 Bats - L, Throws - R (Infield)

#10 Loryn Nichols (SR)
1741 Bats - L, Throws - R (Outfield)

#11 Emily Heimberger (FR)
1742 Bats - L, Throws - R (Infield)

#12 Olivia Golden (rSO)
1744 Bats - R, Throws - R (Infield)

#13 Mackenzie Toler (JR)
1745 Bats - L, Throws - L (Utility)

[BulldogBear]

#14 Holly Ward (SO)
1746 Bats - R, Throws - R (Pitcher)

#15 Caroline Seitz (JR)
1747 Bats - R, Throws - R (Infield)

#18 Cori Cooper (FR)
1748 Bats - R, Throws - R (Pitcher)

#19 Morgan Bell (SO)
1749 Bats - R, Throws - R (Utility)

#21 Sarai Niu (FR)
1750 Bats - R, Throws - R (Infield)

[BulldogBear]

#23 Taylor Kelly (FR)
1751 Bats - R, Throws - R (Infield)

#24 Calyn Adams (SO)
1752 Bats - L, Throws - R (Catcher/Infield)

#25 Amanda Ivy (JR)
1753 Bats - R, Throws - R (Utility)

#31 Carmen Carter (SO)
1754 Bats - R, Throws - R (Utility)

#33 Regan Green (FR)
1755 Bats - R, Throws - R (Pitcher)

[BulldogBear]

#34 Sabrina Turner (FR)
1757 Bats - R, Throws - R (Utility)

#44 Madison Cousineau (FR)
1758 Bats - R, Throws - R (Catcher)


Bailey has been a great catcher but will be used in other roles as well, so she really should be considered a utility player. Of 22 players, 8 are Freshman. Only two of our returning Letterman and/or Starters are Seniors, Nichols and Winkfield. Yet, there are a bunch of veterans. This team is young and hungry, and I am glad to see more help on the mound coming in. Silkwood is our main gal, but Ward has experience and Toler can be plugged in as well. I hope our pitching is deeper. That lack of depth got to us late in the year in 2015. I am excited about this year!! Opening pitch is tonight at 5:30pm, with a ceremony to dedicate the new park at 5:00pm. Too bad I can't be there. It's supposed to be on SEC Network plus. I don't know if it'll be on an alternate channel or if we'll have to watch on our ESPN apps if we got 'em. I'll be on my phone rather than a computer so I can't do the batter by batter thread I like to do. Inning by inning will have to suffice for those that follow the game on the thread. Here we go and HAIL STATE!

[Taog Redloh]

Bout time for these girls to get to OKC and make a run. Got a new stadium, been to regionals for 4 years now. Get it done Vann, you have building towards this year for a while now. No pressure though

[rolodawg]

Do we have any good bunters on the squad?*

[Really Clark?]

Do we have any good bunters on the squad?*

Lol. It's softball. They better be some great bunters and slappers.

[Dawgbite]

I'm not watching until we start recruiting girls with short hair. You can't expect to win when we are so one dimensional.

[CadaverDawg]

Are we hitting the L-Screen in practice?*

I hope they start strong.

[Dubuck Finner]

Looking forward to it, I have a different outlook on softball after my daughter started playing at a competitive level

[BrunswickDawg]

I'm not watching until we start recruiting girls with short hair. You can't expect to win when we are so one dimensional.

LOL - However, being married to a softball player and raising one, I have hardly ever heard more bitching about hair than the year my daughter cut her hair short before softball season.

[Really Clark?]

Here is a piece of advice. If your daughter is a pitcher and starts throwing drop balls over 50 mph, buy shin guards. Rise balls, face mask. That short of a distance and the ball is coming pretty quick with sharp breaks.

[Dawgbite]

LOL - However, being married to a softball player and raising one, I have hardly ever heard more bitching about hair than the year my daughter cut her hair short before softball season.

Is a ponytail a prerequisite or something?

[Sacrifice]

Here is a piece of advice. If your daughter is a pitcher and starts throwing drop balls over 50 mph, buy shin guards. Rise balls, face mask. That short of a distance and the ball is coming pretty quick with sharp breaks.

Brother you ain't never lied. I spent many hours on a bucket, if you get pegged in the shins a couple of times, you'll be finding some shin guards real quick.

[BrunswickDawg]

Is a ponytail a prerequisite or something?
Apparently - I learned a long time ago to just nod my head and say "it looks nice".

[ScoobaDawg]

No I'm not doing game threads for every softball game.. But wanted to throw together something for the start of the season, which hopefully will be a pretty good one.


MSU is set to begin its 25th season of softball with State also set to open its new $6.4 Million facility, Nusz Park, which carries the name of alumni couple Tommy and Terri Nusz of Houston, Texas.
The Bulldogs open their season and park on Thursday, Feb. 11 against Georgia Southern as part of the Bulldog Kickoff Classic. First pitch is set for 5:35 p.m. CT and the game can be seen on SEC Network+.
All 28 of MSU's home games will be televised in 2016.
MSU will host the 2016 SEC Tournament.
All regular season games at Nusz Park are FREE!!

LIVE STATS (http://www.hailstate.com/liveStats/v2/softball/index.dbml?GAME_STAT_ID=2499866&db_oem_id=16800)

Tonights Game can be Seen HERE on the SEC Network+ (http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id/2763832/Georgia-Southern-vs-Mississippi-State?DB_OEM_ID=16800)

Tonight FREE Tshirt and Commemorative Game tickets to the first 150
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ca9D1lzVIAAcXes.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ca9D1l1UsAIL2SI.jpg

Check out the New Nusz Park on a tour by Coach Vann (https://amp.twimg.com/prod/multibr_v_1/video/2016/02/11/17/38f4ebf1-ddf5-4e96-aecf-784e2d900c85-libx264-main-2028k.mp4?orPj6Rmwz2JZyYiEqRzBUz9tOFNOlNtW%2Fei2ou 7zvws%3D)


State is coming off of a 2015 season that saw numerous offensive records fall in the midst of making a fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
The Thursday opener will begin the four-day event which will include a total of 12 games between five teams (Alabama A&M, Georgia Southern, Houston, Tennessee Tech and host MSU).

In the previous 19 seasons, MSU has advanced to the NCAA Tournament 12 times, including seven of the last
nine and four consecutive postseason events. The Bulldogs have won one postseason contest in each of the
last three years, defeating Mississippi Valley State in 2013, Texas Southern in 2014 and Weber State in 2015.

During the 2015 campaign, first year assistant coach Samantha Ricketts helped the offense set MSU
single-season records for batting average, home runs, runs batted in, slugging percentage and on-base
percentage.

In 2013, MSU was selected as an Easton Team of the Year, joining Women?s College World Series participants
Florida and Texas, and had consecutive 30-win seasons for the first time since 1998-2008.


STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
State will play 31 games versus teams that appeared in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Along with being scheduled to play six 2015 Women?s College World Series teams (Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Tennessee and UCLA), the Bulldogs will play another two teams that reached the Super Regionals (Kentucky and Missouri). Overall, MSU will play 15 teams that are coming off of an NCAA Tournament appearance (Baylor, Central Arkansas, Chattanooga, Longwood, South Alabama, Tennessee Tech and Western Kentucky).

TEAM & PLAYER NOTES
? The Bulldogs are coming off a 2015 campaign that saw new program records set for batting average (.312), home runs (54), RBI (294), slugging percentage (.495) and on-base percentage (.411) in year one of assistant coach Samantha Ricketts.
? MSU has made four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances for just the second time in program history (2002-05); five straight has never been done.
? State had 15 come-from-behind wins in 2015 and have 50 in four seasons under Stuedeman.
? MSU added former Oklahoma All-American and USSA Pride player Keilani Ricketts as a Volunteer Assistant to work alongside her sister, MSU hitting coach, Samantha.
? Junior Alexis Silkwood was a workhorse for the Bulldogs last season as she made 47 appearances and 35 starts in the circle and posted a 26-16 record en route to a spot on the NFCA All-South Region third team and two SEC Pitcher of the Week honors. Among the SEC?s best, Silkwood ranked first in appearances, second in the SEC in innings pitched, batters struck out and tied for second in wins.
? Junior Caroline Seitz has started all 117 games at third base in which she has been a member of the Bulldogs over the past two seasons. In 2015, Seitz led the Bulldogs in doubles (16), home runs (15), RBI (54), total bases (123) and slugging percentage (.631). Also put up a .318 batting average with a team-high 62 at bats in a team-high 195 at bats
? Kayla Winkfield made her junior season count as she recorded 13 extra-base hits in 2015 through 172 at bats after having recorded only one through her first two seasons at MSU in 173 at bats.

STATE VS. THE FIELD
MSU is 17-4 all-time against the Bulldog Kickoff Classic field and hold winning records over every opponent except Houston. State is a combined 17-2 vs. Alabama A&M, Georgia Southern and Tennessee Tech, but 0-2 against Houston. The Bulldogs are joined by Tennessee Tech as the only two programs in the event coming off of NCAA Tournament appearances in 2015.

Thurs.-Sun. 11-14 BULLDOG KICKOFF (Starkville, Miss.)
Thurs. 11 GEORGIA SOUTHERN 5:30 PM
Fri. 12 HOUSTON 5:30 PM
Sat. 13 TENNESSEE TECH 2 PM
Sat. 13 ALABAMA A&M 4:30 PM
Sun. 14 HOUSTON 11 AM

ON DECK FOR MSU
The Bulldogs will play their next nine games away from Nusz Park, starting with four in Mobile, Alabama (Feb. 19-21) as part of the Mardi Gras Invitational hosted by South Alabama.

MSU was picked to finish 10th in the SEC Pre-Season Poll which is where they finished last season.

[BulldogBear]

Apparently - I learned a long time ago to just nod my head and say "it looks nice".

Smart Dad! Mine kept a cute little shoulder length Bob so that was never really an issue. She just played with it down, wearing a headband if she felt like she needed one.

[BulldogBear]

Bump. You know I love doing game threads of course but this is good stuff. Th3 season kind of got up on me quick and there was no way I was gonna come up with a preview as good as this one! Not long now.

[ScoobaDawg]

Live on Periscope now... @HailStateSB
https://www.periscope.tv/w/1MYxNvbdrDbxw

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ca-B0ayW4AARyI-.jpg:large

[ScoobaDawg]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ca-CCcSWIAEIhHw.jpg:large

[ScoobaDawg]

annnnd FAILLLL at the ribbon cutting... We are Hail State...
Really we can't make sure the scissors are sharp enough to cut the ribbon? Guess that would of cost some money...

[ScoobaDawg]

Bump. You know I love doing game threads of course but this is good stuff. Th3 season kind of got up on me quick and there was no way I was gonna come up with a preview as good as this one! Not long now.

Bear I just saw yours... good job...
I didn't really do much but pull the bullets from the Game notes, some tidbits from the Media guide, the preview story, and find the record from last season.

[BulldogBear]

SS - Winkfield
2B - Adams
3B - Seitz
DH - Toler
1B - Bell
RF - Niu
C - Bailey
LF - Nichols
CF - Ivy

And Ward getting the start in the circle.

Got True Frosh in RF. With Echols gone, Adams taking over at 2B apparently.

[ScoobaDawg]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ca-FqJnUkAIf4vU.jpg:large

[ScoobaDawg]

3 up 3 down including 2 K's

[BulldogBear]

3 up 3 down including 2 K's

Top of First

As above

5-3 for out 1 of the season (Seitz-Bell)

K

K

Good Job Holly! Headed to B1, no score

[ScoobaDawg]

Your show Bear... I'm gonna hop over to the womens basketball game shortly. but will have both up

[BulldogBear]

Bottom of 1st

Winkfield - 1-3, almost made it

Adams - also grounds out to pitcher

Seitz - reaches on E-6

Toler - grounds out to 1B

No score headed to T2

[BulldogBear]

Top of 2nd

- line drive out to Adams at 2B. Great play!

- K, Ward's 3rd of the game

- 6-3 (Winkfield to Bell), grateful running scoop and throw

No score after one and a half

[Really Clark?]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ca-FqJnUkAIf4vU.jpg:large

Love the throw backs with the stripped stir-up's. Lot of girls have added that old school with uniforms.

[BulldogBear]

Bottom of 2nd, and what an inning it was as all Doggies went to the plate

Bell - BB 4/0

Niu - Bunt. 1-3 throw gets past 1B, sends Bell to 3rd

Bailey - 5-3 and runner remain on corners

Nichols - Back to P but no play. Bases juiced.

Ivy - Grounder to SS but no play, scores Bell for 1st run of season

Winkfield - E-6, scores Niu and Nichols

Adams - HBP loads bases again

Seitz - Hard grounder to SS, ruled a hit, scores Ivy but 6-2 put out gets Wink trying to score from 2nd

Toler - 4-3, ends inning with Dogs on top 4-0

[ScoobaDawg]

Heck of a snag by Seitz down the 3rd base line to save a run

[BulldogBear]

Top of 3rd

- First batter reached, I missed it

- E-5, runners on 1B and 2B

- sacrifice bunt 1-3, advances runners

- 3-2 count K for Ward's 4th of the night

- 5-3 grounder (the snag mentioned by Scooba)

Dogs get out jam. Headed to B3 still leading 4-0

[BulldogBear]

Wink awarded a 2 rbi double. Changed from error (2nd inning)

[BulldogBear]

Bottom of 3rd, another good one

Bell - leads off with an out. I didn't see it.

Niu - stand up double to the CF wall

Bailey - Doubles to LF, runner held at 3B

Nichols - K

Ivy - Niu scores on a wild pitch, Ivy base hit left side tween we scores Bailey

Winkfield - 6-3

Star leads 6-0 after 3

[BulldogBear]

Top of 4th

- missed first batter again, out

- 6-3 slow roller

- K, Ward's 5th of the night and tied a career high

At halfway point, 6-0 Doggies

[Maroonthirteen]

annnnd FAILLLL at the ribbon cutting... We are Hail State...
Really we can't make sure the scissors are sharp enough to cut the ribbon? Guess that would of cost some money...

A guy from Columbus had the sharp pair. But he is waiting on gas to get below a $1 before driving over. #longdrive

[BulldogBear]

Bottom of 4th

Adams - hit by pitch, Kat Moore will pinch run and get first Bulldog stolen base of the season

Seitz - BB, pinch run for by Olivia Golden

Toler - K

Bell - F-9, Moore tags to 3B

Niu - Golden take second base but Niu looks at strike 3

Headed to T5, 6-0 MSU

[BulldogBear]

Top of the 5th

- first batter out, I missed it again

- Golden, still in for Seitz makes 5-3 put out

- 1-3 grounder ends the frame

Headed to bottom of the 5th, Mississippi State leads 6-0

[BulldogBear]

Bottom of the 5th

Bailey - long at bat, F-9

Heimberger - in for Nichols, infield single

Ivy - Heimberger steals 2B, Ivy K

Winkfield - Heimberger steals 3B, Wink F-7

After 5, Bulldogs lead 6-0, 2 runs from an automatic victory

[BulldogBear]

Top of 6th

Ward with THREE strike outs, making a career high 8. Her off speed pitch to backwards K batter #2 was just wicked NAS-TEE!!!!

Still 6-0 Bulldogs

[BulldogBear]

Bottom of 6th

Adams - K

Golden - BB

Toler - F-7, Golden can't advance

Bell - left side single, pinch run for by Carter

Niu - F-4 in foul territory

Still 6-0 State headed to final inning

[BulldogBear]

Top of 7th

First two batters ground out

Adams flashing the leather, backhand ing one and spinning for the 4-3 to seal it

[BulldogBear]

Bulldogs win 6-0, Hail State!!!

Holly Ward's off speed is just mesmerizing. Congrats to her on her career high 8 Ks. Congrats to all the Ladies on a great season opener!!

We play again tomorrow evening at 530pm against Houston.

[Really Clark?]

Good start to the season.