Friday, February 17
Clearwater, Fla.
11:30 AM
Mississippi State
4-2
12
vs
2
Indiana
3-3
1
2
3
4
5
R
H
E
Indiana
0
0
1
0
1
2
5
1
Mississippi State
1
1
1
9
X
12
10
0
Bulldogs Make Statement With Two Wins At TaxAct Clearwater Invitational
February 17, 2023 | Softball
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Mississippi State opened the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational with two statement wins against Indiana and No. 10/15 Arizona. The day began with a run-rule win over the Hoosiers before State earned its fifth ranked win in its last six tries.
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Home runs were the story of the day, as State (5-2) launched six long balls. As of the end of MSU's games, that total led all teams in the tournament. Aquana Brownlee and Kiersten Landers both hit two, with one of Brownlee's of the grand slam variety. Madisyn Kennedy and Macy Graf also left the yard.
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"I'm just really proud of the way we came out and competed against a ranked team," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "It was just like the way we looked at Arizona last year in the Super Regional. That's a storied program with a lot of history. That's what we're working towards. It's fun to see the girls not be intimidated and not be scared and get after it and compete. That's exactly what they did today."
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The Bulldogs scored nine runs in the bottom of the fourth against Indiana (3-3), sending 13 batters to the plate. Josey Marron provided all MSU needed in the circle, throwing State's second complete game of the year and the first of her career.
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Against Arizona (5-3), Landers and Kennedy put MSU on the board early, but the Wildcats answered with one run in both the second and third innings to tie it. A throwing error and a sacrifice fly gave the Bulldogs two more runs in the fourth, and MSU would never surrender the lead. Graf added a two-run homer in the seventh to provide some insurance.
"I'm really proud of all of them. Aquana's really worked hard to be in the lineup every day, and she's definitely earned that opportunity this year. It's fun to see her shine. She's got a lot of power, a lot of talent. You always love to see the Mississippi kids shine bright on the big stage. Kiersten as well, being back and being healthy after not being able to play for so long, she's finally started to relax and settle in. She just started to show the surface of that today."
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Samantha Ricketts on Kenley Hawk earning the save in a role she had last spring…
"Yeah, I really like what Aspen [Wesley] and Kenley Hawk did today. They were part of the Super Regional games last year and got to pitch against that team. They came out, and both looked very poised, very confident. They competed and gave us a great chance to win the ballgame. Kenley did what she does best. That's coming in following in a save role. I wouldn't expect anything less from her than to have a little action in the seventh, but I don't think she ever faltered. She looked poised, confident and calm the whole time."
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Bulldog Bombs – State hit six home runs on Friday with Aquana Brownlee and Kiersten Landers both hitting multiple long balls … through the end of MSU's games, the Bulldogs' homer total leads all teams at the Clearwater Invitational.
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Aquana Brownlee – Had a career day with highs in hits (3), RBIs (5) and home runs (2) against Indiana … hit the 47th grand slam in MSU history … now has three career homers … added a single against Arizona.
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Macy Graf – Went a perfect 4-for-4 against Indiana, scoring twice … opened the game with a double and later added an RBI single … drew a leadoff walk against Arizona and has now reached base in 8-of-10 leadoff opportunities with six hits … hit her first career home run, a two-run shot to extend MSU's lead against the Wildcats.
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Kenley Hawk – Earned her first save of the year … entered with one out in the bottom of the fifth against Arizona.
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Kiersten Landers – Went 4-for-5 on the day with a double and a homer against both Indiana and Arizona … scored four times and drew a walk in the two games.
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Josey Marron – Tossed her first career complete game, and MSU's second of the season, against Indiana … earned her second career win in her second appearance … struck out four and walked one.
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Aspen Wesley – Picked up her second consecutive win when facing a ranked opponent and first since her shutout at No. 2 Florida State last year … struck out seven in 4.1 innings of work.
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Macy Graf hit a leadoff double. She advanced to third on Chloe Malau'ulu's one-out fly out to right field. With two outs, Matalasi Faapito lined a ball of the pitcher's shin to score Graf.
Indiana 0, Mississippi State 1
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Bottom 2
Aquana Brownlee opened the inning with a leadoff home run.
Indiana 0, Mississippi State 2
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Top 3
Aaliyah Andrews led off with a double that bounced over the shortstop. Cora Bassett then singled through the left side to score Andrews.
Indiana 1, Mississippi State 2
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Bottom 3
Kiersten Landers hit a two-out homer to right-center field.
Indiana 1, Mississippi State 3
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Bottom 4
Brownlee singled to lead off the inning. Barbary laid down a sacrifice bunt attempt, but the throw went to second where Brownlee beat it. Riley Hull then reached on a fielding error by the first baseman that allowed Brownlee to score and Barbary to reach third. Macy Graf singled to the shortstop, pushing Hull to second and scoring Barbary. Jackie McKenna pinch hit and walked to load the bases, and Brylie St. Clair re-entered the game to run at first. Chloe Malau'ulu then walked to bring home another run. Matalasi Faapito grounded out to first, but Graf scored on the play and St. Clair and Malau'ulu advanced. Landers walked to reload the bases before pinch hitter Anna Kate Segars was hit by a pitch to score St. Clair. Brownlee then hit a grand slam.
Indiana 1, Mississippi State 12
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Top 5
With one out, Cora Bassett hit a solo home run.
Indiana 2, Mississippi State 12
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Kiersten Landers homered on the first pitch of the inning. Two batter later, Madisyn Kennedy also hit a solo home run to center field.
Mississippi State 2, No. 10 Arizona 0
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Bottom 2
With one out, Dakota Kennedy singled through the left side. She then stole second. Tayler Biehl singled to third base, but it kept Kennedy from advancing. Kaiah Altmeyer then singled into right field to load the bases. Blaise Biringer walked to bring home a run.
Mississippi State 2, No. 10 Arizona 1
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Bottom 3
With two outs, Paige Dimler beat out a bunt single. She came around to score on Kennedy's triple to right field.
Mississippi State 2, No. 10 Arizona 2
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Top 4
With one out, Landers doubled to left field. Aquana Brownlee hit a ground ball to third, and had the throw to first beaten, but the throw sailed over first allowing Landers to take third. The right fielder picked up the ball and overthrew the catcher, allowing Landers to come home and Brownlee to take second. Saleyna Daniel pinch ran at second and advanced to third on a single from Kennedy. Paige Cook pinch hit and delivered a sacrifice fly to right to score Daniel.
Mississippi State 4, No. 10 Arizona 2
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Top 7
Jackie McKenna doubled to open the inning before Macy Graf hit a two-run homer.
Mississippi State 6, No. 10 Arizona 2
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Bottom 7
Devyn Netz pinch hit and drew a walk to open the inning. With two outs, Dimler tripled into right-center field to score Netz.
Mississippi State 6, No. 10 Arizona 3
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Home runs were the story of the day, as State (5-2) launched six long balls. As of the end of MSU's games, that total led all teams in the tournament. Aquana Brownlee and Kiersten Landers both hit two, with one of Brownlee's of the grand slam variety. Madisyn Kennedy and Macy Graf also left the yard.
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"I'm just really proud of the way we came out and competed against a ranked team," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "It was just like the way we looked at Arizona last year in the Super Regional. That's a storied program with a lot of history. That's what we're working towards. It's fun to see the girls not be intimidated and not be scared and get after it and compete. That's exactly what they did today."
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The Bulldogs scored nine runs in the bottom of the fourth against Indiana (3-3), sending 13 batters to the plate. Josey Marron provided all MSU needed in the circle, throwing State's second complete game of the year and the first of her career.
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Against Arizona (5-3), Landers and Kennedy put MSU on the board early, but the Wildcats answered with one run in both the second and third innings to tie it. A throwing error and a sacrifice fly gave the Bulldogs two more runs in the fourth, and MSU would never surrender the lead. Graf added a two-run homer in the seventh to provide some insurance.
Quotables
Samantha Ricketts on Aquana Brownlee and Kiersten Landers…"I'm really proud of all of them. Aquana's really worked hard to be in the lineup every day, and she's definitely earned that opportunity this year. It's fun to see her shine. She's got a lot of power, a lot of talent. You always love to see the Mississippi kids shine bright on the big stage. Kiersten as well, being back and being healthy after not being able to play for so long, she's finally started to relax and settle in. She just started to show the surface of that today."
Â
Samantha Ricketts on Kenley Hawk earning the save in a role she had last spring…
"Yeah, I really like what Aspen [Wesley] and Kenley Hawk did today. They were part of the Super Regional games last year and got to pitch against that team. They came out, and both looked very poised, very confident. They competed and gave us a great chance to win the ballgame. Kenley did what she does best. That's coming in following in a save role. I wouldn't expect anything less from her than to have a little action in the seventh, but I don't think she ever faltered. She looked poised, confident and calm the whole time."
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Quick Hitters
Toppling Top Teams – Mississippi State has now won five of its last six matchups with NFCA Top 25 opponents, dating back to 2022 … the Bulldogs have defeated three straight top-10 teams by a combined score of 13-5.Â
Bulldog Bombs – State hit six home runs on Friday with Aquana Brownlee and Kiersten Landers both hitting multiple long balls … through the end of MSU's games, the Bulldogs' homer total leads all teams at the Clearwater Invitational.
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Aquana Brownlee – Had a career day with highs in hits (3), RBIs (5) and home runs (2) against Indiana … hit the 47th grand slam in MSU history … now has three career homers … added a single against Arizona.
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Macy Graf – Went a perfect 4-for-4 against Indiana, scoring twice … opened the game with a double and later added an RBI single … drew a leadoff walk against Arizona and has now reached base in 8-of-10 leadoff opportunities with six hits … hit her first career home run, a two-run shot to extend MSU's lead against the Wildcats.
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Kenley Hawk – Earned her first save of the year … entered with one out in the bottom of the fifth against Arizona.
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Kiersten Landers – Went 4-for-5 on the day with a double and a homer against both Indiana and Arizona … scored four times and drew a walk in the two games.
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Josey Marron – Tossed her first career complete game, and MSU's second of the season, against Indiana … earned her second career win in her second appearance … struck out four and walked one.
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Aspen Wesley – Picked up her second consecutive win when facing a ranked opponent and first since her shutout at No. 2 Florida State last year … struck out seven in 4.1 innings of work.
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Indiana Scoring Recap
Bottom 1Macy Graf hit a leadoff double. She advanced to third on Chloe Malau'ulu's one-out fly out to right field. With two outs, Matalasi Faapito lined a ball of the pitcher's shin to score Graf.
Indiana 0, Mississippi State 1
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Bottom 2
Aquana Brownlee opened the inning with a leadoff home run.
Indiana 0, Mississippi State 2
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Top 3
Aaliyah Andrews led off with a double that bounced over the shortstop. Cora Bassett then singled through the left side to score Andrews.
Indiana 1, Mississippi State 2
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Bottom 3
Kiersten Landers hit a two-out homer to right-center field.
Indiana 1, Mississippi State 3
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Bottom 4
Brownlee singled to lead off the inning. Barbary laid down a sacrifice bunt attempt, but the throw went to second where Brownlee beat it. Riley Hull then reached on a fielding error by the first baseman that allowed Brownlee to score and Barbary to reach third. Macy Graf singled to the shortstop, pushing Hull to second and scoring Barbary. Jackie McKenna pinch hit and walked to load the bases, and Brylie St. Clair re-entered the game to run at first. Chloe Malau'ulu then walked to bring home another run. Matalasi Faapito grounded out to first, but Graf scored on the play and St. Clair and Malau'ulu advanced. Landers walked to reload the bases before pinch hitter Anna Kate Segars was hit by a pitch to score St. Clair. Brownlee then hit a grand slam.
Indiana 1, Mississippi State 12
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Top 5
With one out, Cora Bassett hit a solo home run.
Indiana 2, Mississippi State 12
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Arizona Scoring Recap
Top 2Kiersten Landers homered on the first pitch of the inning. Two batter later, Madisyn Kennedy also hit a solo home run to center field.
Mississippi State 2, No. 10 Arizona 0
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Bottom 2
With one out, Dakota Kennedy singled through the left side. She then stole second. Tayler Biehl singled to third base, but it kept Kennedy from advancing. Kaiah Altmeyer then singled into right field to load the bases. Blaise Biringer walked to bring home a run.
Mississippi State 2, No. 10 Arizona 1
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Bottom 3
With two outs, Paige Dimler beat out a bunt single. She came around to score on Kennedy's triple to right field.
Mississippi State 2, No. 10 Arizona 2
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Top 4
With one out, Landers doubled to left field. Aquana Brownlee hit a ground ball to third, and had the throw to first beaten, but the throw sailed over first allowing Landers to take third. The right fielder picked up the ball and overthrew the catcher, allowing Landers to come home and Brownlee to take second. Saleyna Daniel pinch ran at second and advanced to third on a single from Kennedy. Paige Cook pinch hit and delivered a sacrifice fly to right to score Daniel.
Mississippi State 4, No. 10 Arizona 2
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Top 7
Jackie McKenna doubled to open the inning before Macy Graf hit a two-run homer.
Mississippi State 6, No. 10 Arizona 2
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Bottom 7
Devyn Netz pinch hit and drew a walk to open the inning. With two outs, Dimler tripled into right-center field to score Netz.
Mississippi State 6, No. 10 Arizona 3
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On Deck
The Bulldogs continue the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational with just one game on Saturday. State meets No. 25/RV Michigan at 4 p.m. CT on ESPN+.Â
Follow the Bulldogs
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."Â
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Marron, Josey (2-0)
L: Montgomery, Macy (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Andrews, Aaliyah 1
HR: Bassett, Cora 1
RBI: Bassett, Cora 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Bassett, Cora 1 ; Andrews, Aaliyah 1
HBP: Minnick, Taylor 1
Batting:
2B: Graf, Macy 1 ; Landers, Kiersten 1
HR: Landers, Kiersten 1 ; Brownlee, Aquana 2
RBI: Graf, Macy 1 ; Malau'ulu, Chloe 1 ; Faapito, Matalasi 2 ; Landers, Kiersten 1 ; Segars, Anna Kate 1 ; Brownlee, Aquana 5
SH: Barbary, Nadia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Graf, Macy 2 ; St. Clair, Brylie 1 ; Malau'ulu, Chloe 1 ; Landers, Kiersten 2 ; Kennedy, Madisyn 1 ; Brownlee, Aquana 3 ; Barbary, Nadia 1 ; Hull, Riley 1
HBP: Segars, Anna Kate 1 ; Sells, Kiarra 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
3
H
3
RBI
5
AB
2
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballP
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C/INF
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C/UTL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
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