Mississippi State Softball Remains Undefeated with Comeback Win against South Alabama

Vann Stuedeman's first victory as the head coach at Mississippi State came against South Alabama, and thanks to a come-from-behind effort, her most recent victory as Bulldog head coach came against the Jaguars as well, as Mississippi State defeated No. 23 South Alabama 4-2 in eight innings in Mobile Friday.

Though the Bulldogs (7-0) later had to come from behind, Mississippi State drew first blood when Sarai Niu was hit by a pitch with two outs, bringing home Kayla Winkfield in the top of the first.

South Alabama (5-1) would tie in the bottom of the third when Kristian Foster drove home Kaleigh Todd with an RBI, two-out single.  The same scenario played out in the bottom of the fifth to put the Jaguars ahead 2-1.

In the top of the sixth, Loryn Nichols picked up a single, and she moved to third on a double by Amanda Ivy.  Katie Anne Bailey drove Nichols in on a ground ball to the shortstop to tie the game at 2-2.

In the top of the eighth, Winkfield singled in Ivy, and Caroline Seitz drove in Bailey to put the Bulldogs ahead 4-2.

In the bottom of the eighth, Holly Ward (4-0), who pitched three scoreless innings to pick up the victory, stranded Emily Messer to end a South Alabama two-out threat and pick up the win.

Regan Green drew the start for the Bulldogs, pitching 2.2 innings and allowing one run on four hits while striking out five.

Mackenzie Toler pitched next for the Bulldogs, lasting 2.1 innings and allowing an unearned run and two hits.

Ward struck out three and allowed two hits.

Winkfield, Seitz, and Nichols all had two hits for the Bulldogs. Foster had three hits to lead the Jaguars.

The Bulldogs return to action Saturday at South Alabama with a 1:30pm match up with Southern Mississippi and a 6pm game against SIU-Edwardsville.