Mississippi State Softball Defeats Southern Illinois, Wins February Freezer Tournament

Vann Stuedeman and Mississippi State earned another victory as the Bulldogs defeated the Salukis of Southern Illinois University 6-2 today. State’s victory over SIU clinched the February Freezer championship for MSU as the Bulldogs went a perfect 5-0 in their own tournament.

Unlike much of the rest of the weekend for Mississippi State, the Bulldogs were unable to jump out to an early lead and found themselves down 2-0 after they gave up 2 unearned runs in the first inning.

The Bulldogs would respond, however, and they weren’t down for long. Bevia Robinson, who has had a monster weekend at the plate and on the bases, would knock a single up the middle in the 2nd inning to cut the lead to 2-1.

MSU would then have an offensive explosion in the 4th inning, where they scored 4 runs. A Reggie Harrison single to left field would then tie the game at 2-2. And with two runners on and two outs, Olivia Golden stepped up to bat.

Golden’s homer was her 2nd of the weekend (while also being the second of her career. Knocking the ball over the scoreboard along the fence would put Mississippi State up 5-2. A Heimberger single an inning later would bring about the final score of 6-2.

The 6 runs the Bulldogs scored came off of 9 hits for a nice and efficient day at the plate.

Regan Green would draw the start for the home team, but she only got to throw for 2.1 innings. Ward would then step in and she controlled the game from there on. Ward threw 4.2 innings where she only surrendered 1 hit while striking out 6.

Vann Stuedeman’s Bulldogs have now won 7 in a row and are 11-3 on the season. They’re headed down to Hammond, Louisiana to play Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday but will be back in Starkville for a game against Alabama State on Thursday.