STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University softball coach Vann Stuedeman has preached to her team how close it is to being one of the nation’s elite.
On Wednesday at the MSU Softball Field, Stuedeman acquired more tangible evidence to show her squad.
MSU barked all afternoon long before losing to the No. 3 University of Florida 1-0 and 8-5 in a league-opening Southeastern Conference doubleheader.
“It is all about the process,” MSU sophomore third baseman Sam Lenahan said. “One thing the coaches preach every day is the process. You have to come to work and you have to prepare for every opponent the same way. If you continue to repeat the process and get better at what you are doing, the results will be in your favor.”
Last season, Florida’s Hannah Rogers was pitched in the Women’s College World Series. On Wednesday, the sophomore right-hander threw a complete-game one-hitter against MSU. Still, the Bulldogs had their chances.
The Gators (21-1, 2-0 SEC) scored the lone run in the opener in the fifth inning. After a leadoff walk to Katie Medina, Jess Damico laced a ball into the outfield gap. The Bulldogs had the apparent out when the relay throw to the plate went from right fielder Brittany Gates to second baseman Heidi Shape to catcher Ka’ili Smith, who appeared to tag Medina on the helmet as she slid past. The contact knocked the ball loose and home plate umpire Chad Stears called Medina safe.
“Plays at the dish are the most exciting in softball,” Stuedeman said. “That is what fans come to see. We had two really big plays there. In the first game, we didn’t get the call. In the second game, we did. That is how close and how competitive these two games were.”
In the bottom of the fifth, the Bulldogs almost grabbed a lead when Erin Nesbit hit a massive fly ball with a runner at first base and two outs. Had the ball been hit five more feet horizontally and landed on the other side of the foul pole, the Bulldogs would have taken a 2-1 lead.
The foul ball was one of few mistakes by Rogers (11-0), who struck out eight and faced three batters past the minimum.
“Hannah pitched in the World Series a year ago,” Stuedeman said. “That is the kind of experience that you cannot replace.”
The offensive struggles meant Stephanie Becker (7-2) came out on the short end. Becker allowed three hits, walked three, and struck out eight. Florida loaded the bases in the first thanks to two walks and a hit batter, but failed to score.
“I thought our team came out and fought extremely hard,” MSU junior left fielder Jessica Cooley said. “Becker did an awesome job on the mound. All of our pitchers really pitched their hearts out today. There was no lack of effort. We have to play this way every single game and continue to work on the process.”
In the second game, Florida built a 4-0 lead. The Bulldogs fought back with a four-run second inning and trailed 6-5 after two innings. For MSU, it was their biggest offensive output against Florida since 2004.
“In the second game, we let up a little bit for (starting pitcher) Lindsey (Dunlap) (1-2),” Lenahan said. “We really can’t afford to do that. I think we were a little down from losing the first game and being so close.”
Nesbit had a RBI double, Smith had a RBI single, and Lenahan had a two-run single in the second.
The Bulldogs (14-7, 0-2) missed a golden chance to tie in the third when Shape hit a leadoff triple but was later stranded.
“Erin had a really quality at-bat in that inning,” Stuedeman said. “When you lose a tough game like we did the first one, you tip your hat to their pitcher and you come out ready to fight. It was great to see the big inning. It restored some confidence.”
As quickly as the confidence was built, Rogers returned to close the Gators’ 15th straight win in the series. She threw three innings of one-hit shutout relief (three strikeouts) to earn her first save. Alyssa Bache (4-0) picked up the win in middle relief.
MSU will kick off a three-game series against the No. 7 University of Georgia on Friday.
“We have to make the mind adjustment,” Stuedeman said. “I thought in both of these games we waited until the fourth inning to realize we were actually in the game. We have to come out with the mind right and with the expectation of winning from the first pitch.
“We have a lot of room to get better, but, at the same time, I know we are fighting a good fight.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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