![Mississippi State Bulldogs infielder Paige Cook (6) bats during the game agaisnt the Tennessee Volunteers at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, May 12, 2022. [Gabriella Whisler/Special to the Sun]Ncaa Softball Tennessee Volunteers Vs Mississippi State Bulldogs](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/01bc15f20268e95e2265d511a933007882f3560531a89e50e3a75b3562a55ac0.jpg "Mississippi State Bulldogs infielder Paige Cook (6) bats during the game agaisnt the Tennessee Volunteers at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, May 12, 2022. [Gabriella Whisler/Special to the Sun]Ncaa Softball Tennessee Volunteers Vs Mississippi State Bulldogs")
As Samantha Ricketts tries to elevate the Mississippi State softball program, she just brought in a huge recruiting class to help build the Bulldogs up.
While the 2023 Mississippi State softball season didn’t exactly go the way that Samantha Ricketts and the MSU Bulldogs wanted, it looks like State has been busy at work building for the future. A rough season certainly didn’t stop Ricketts from recruiting at a high level as she just brought in yet another top 20 class.
MSU, fresh off of a 28-25 season in 2023, just hauled in a huge signing class for the 2024-2025 cycle. Mississippi State landed nine players in this recruiting class and that includes six players that happened to be ranked in the top 100 nationally, according to Extra Inning Softball.
In Mississippi State’s press release, Ricketts said the following when discussing the class:
"“We are thrilled to introduce next year’s class of future Bulldogs. They are a highly-touted group that can do it all on the field. They bring a mix of pitching, elite defense and big bats to next year’s roster. I want to express my gratitude to our dedicated staff for their tireless efforts in assembling a team of not only outstanding ballplayers but also exceptional young women. We can’t wait to see the impact they make in Starkville both on and off the field.”"
Meet 2024 Mississippi State softball recruiting class
MSU managed to bring in a class with stars from all over the country. From the Midwest (Indiana and Wisconsin) to California down to Texas and on over to Alabama and everywhere in between. In total, the Bulldogs signed players from eight different states.
- Taylor Troutman (OF – No. 9) – Henderson, Kentucky
- Xiane Romero (INF – No. 10) – Lake Elsinore, California
- Morgan Stiles (INF – No. 15) – Athens, Alabama
- Sara Phillips (P – No. 18) – Trussville, Alabama
- Paige Ernstes (C – No. 41) – New Palestine, Indiana
- Gretta Grassel (OF/P – No. 45) – Boscobel, Wisconsin
- Abby Grace Richardson (C/INF – NJCAA Champion) – Brookhaven, Mississippi
- Kalani Sells (OF) – Jasper, Texas
- Abigail Stevens (P) – Braxton, Mississippi
How can this class help Ricketts and the Bulldogs?
There’s a tremendous amount of talent in this recruiting class and though it won’t arrive on campus in time for this coming Mississippi State softball season, it will have a huge impact in Starkville for the future.
First and foremost, this class is massive. It’s not exactly common to sign a class that is quite this big. That could certainly help the Bulldogs. In addition to that, there’s a very good mix of highly ranked high school players as well as junior college transfers who can provide a proven bat and some veteran experience.
And it is absolutely huge that Ricketts and the Bulldogs were able to tap into talent-rich states like California and Mississippi as well as plucking players out of the Midwest. Mississippi State softball is building in brand recognition and that’s good to see.