23rd Ranked Mississippi State Softball: Bulldogs Run Rule Illinois
By Ethan Lee
Mississippi State Softball Had No Issues Scoring on Illinois, Win 12 to 1
After beating the Illini by 4 runs in the first game of today’s doubleheader, the Mississippi State Bulldogs absolutely pummeled them in the second. Mississippi State scored early and often, winning the game 12 to 1.
Much like MSU scored 4 runs in the first inning of game one, the Bulldogs accomplished the same feat again in game two. A 1 run RBI single by Sarai Niu got the scoring started in the first inning for the home team and tied the game at 1 to 1. Emily Heimberger then stepped in and did the same thing, giving State a 2-1 lead.
The string of RBI singles continued as Carmen Carter would hit one of her own, extending that lead out to 3-1. Morgan Bell would then get the Bulldogs that aforementioned fourth run in the 1st inning with an RBI sacrifice fly.
The scoring would continue for MSU on into the 2nd inning. With one out and one on, Mia Davidson would hit another two run home run (she had one in the first game) to get MSU a 6-1 lead.
The Bulldogs added another run in the 3rd inning as Carmen Carter scooted home on a wild pitch, but MSU’s offense came alive in the 4th.
With a 7-1 lead, the floodgates opened for Mississippi State. After Heimberger extended MSU’s lead to 8-1 with a bases loaded walk, Morgan Bell stepped up to the plate. Bell then put a pitch over the left field wall and scored 4 runs in the process.
The 12-1 lead was too much for Illinois to overcome and the game ended in a run rule win for the Bulldogs.
Senior Cassady Knudsen earned the win for Mississippi State and dominated in her time pitching. Knudsen threw 66 pitches in 5 innings, striking out 5 batters along her way to the win. Knudsen now holds a record of 7-1.
With tonight’s two wins, the 23rd ranked Mississippi State is now 19-3 and on a 7 game winning streak. The Bulldogs will return to action again tomorrow, weather permitting, and will face UMass Lowell. MSU will close out the weekend with a game against UMass Lowell on Sunday.