No. 23 Softball Slugs Way To Season Opening Victory

Thursday, February 9

Boca Raton, Fla.

5:00 PM

Mississippi State

1-0

Florida Atlantic

0-1

Mississippi State

Florida Atlantic

No. 23 Softball Slugs Way To Season Opening Victory

February 09, 2023 | Softball

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By: Brian Ogden, Associate Director/Communications

BOCA RATON, Fla. – No. 23 Mississippi State opened the 2023 season with a 7-2 victory at Florida Atlantic on Thursday night in Boca Raton. The Bulldogs collected eight extra-base hits, highlighted by Chloe Malau'ulu's three-hit night.

Malau'ulu finished a double shy of the cycle with three RBIs. Madisyn Kennedy and Jackie McKenna both doubled twice and drove in a run. Paige Cook also collected a pair of hits.

"Opening Day is always a lot of excitement, some nerves, some jitters and just getting back into the groove of things," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "I'm really proud of the way they came out early and scored first. I think that really takes away some of the early nerves. I thought overall, we did a good job of mixing people in, timely hitting, just a little bit of everything we've been working on throughout the year. It was good to see it all come together against another opponent finally and not just playing against ourselves."

The Bulldogs took the lead in the first inning on a two-run homer from Malau'ulu. Florida Atlantic would tie the game in the bottom of the second, but State immediately answered when Malau'ulu drove an RBI triple off the right field wall.

MSU extended the lead on an RBI double from Kennedy in the fifth and a single from Aquana Brownlee. In the seventh, State tacked on two more in the seventh thanks to doubles from McKenna and Cook and an RBI single from Kiersten Landers.

Aspen Wesley drew the Opening Day start and struck out five. Kenley Hawk earned the win in relief, allowing just one hit in 2.2 innings while striking out three.

Quotables

Samantha Ricketts on the team's eight extra-base hits…
"I thought we consistently had a lot of good at-bats, a lot of well-struck balls. We were really hitting within the plan. It just looked like a really mature approach at the plate. You know, we bring back a lot of experience there at the plate, so it's good to see them pick up where they left off and continue to learn and get better every year."

Samantha Ricketts on playing four newcomers…
"It's always really big for us to get a lot of the young ones in early. One, it gets the nerves out. Two, it gives them some opportunities to perform, relax and see that every role's important. Whether that's pinch hits, pinch runs, closing roles for the pitchers, there are so many little things that go into a team win. We're going to continue to get them out there and give opportunities. It's a long season, and we want to make sure we're ready to go. We have the depth and talent to really use it this year.

Chloe Malau'ulu on starting her season with an impressive day at the plate and what the team can take from Thursday…
"I feel really good. I didn't really think too much about it. I was just having fun. I think it's a good starter for us. We saw some of our weaknesses early on, and then we learned how to bounce back from them. I think it was a good kind of showcase to see how the rest of the year can play out."

Chloe Malau'ulu on her triple…
"I wasn't sure if it was going to go over. A lot of the homers I hit, I'm praying it goes over, but I'm never really sure. When I saw it hit the wall, I was like 'Shoot!' I was just running for my life. I thought it was going [over the wall], but when I saw it hit, I had to start running."

Quick Hitters

Dawg Debuts – Four Bulldogs made their MSU debut … Florida State transfer Kiersten Landers started in right field … freshman Macy Graf came on as a pinch runner and remained in the game at second base before drawing a walk … senior Kat Wallace pinch ran … freshman Reis Beuerlein threw the final inning, striking out one and allowing no one to reach base.

Madisyn Kennedy – Went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, tying her career high … turned a solo double play to get out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning.

Chloe Malau'ulu – Was presented with her captain's jersey patch pre-game … homered in her first at-bat of the year … finished a double shy of the cycle … tied her career-high with three hits.

Jackie McKenna – Doubled twice, driving in one run.

Owning Openers – Mississippi State has now won 10 straight season openers … the Bulldogs are 22-10 all-time in season openers.

Scoring Recap

Top 1
Kiersten Landers drew a leadoff walk before Chloe Malau'ulu homered to center field.
No. 23 Mississippi State 2, Florida Atlantic 0

Bottom 3
With one out, Cammeo Presutti singled off the glove of the diving third baseman. She scored when Jesiana Mora doubled to center field and the throw to the infield escaped the second baseman. That allowed Mora to reach third, and she scored on a single from Sara Berthiaume.
No. 23 Mississippi State 2, Florida Atlantic 2

Top 4
With one out, Brylie St. Clair beat out a bunt single. She scored two batters later when Malau'ulu tripled to right field.
No. 23 Mississippi State 3, Florida Atlantic 2

Top 5
Matalasi Faapito drew a leadoff walk, and Macy Graf pinch ran for her. Madisyn Kennedy doubled to score Graf. Saleyna Daniel then pinch ran for Kennedy at second. Following a lineout, Daniel scored on a single from Aquana Brownlee.
No. 23 Mississippi State 5, Florida Atlantic 2

Top 7
Paige Cook hit a leadoff double and advanced to third on a fly out from Brownlee. Jackie McKenna then doubled to center to score Cook. Kat Wallace entered as a pinch runner at second base and scored on Landers' two-out base hit up the middle.
No. 23 Mississippi State 7, Florida Atlantic 2

On Deck

Action continues at the Paradise Classic on Friday when the Bulldogs meet Loyola Chicago at 10:30 a.m. CT. MSU will later go head-to-head with Bethune-Cookman at 3:30 p.m.

Follow the Bulldogs

For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."