STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University softball team received a huge lift to its pitching staff Saturday afternoon.
Junior left-hander Kylie Vry returned to the circle for the first time since a Feb. 26 outing against he University of Michigan. Vry pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in a 2-0 loss to the No. 7 University of Georgia at the MSU Softball Field.
“It felt really good to get Kylie back into action,” MSU coach Vann Stuedeman said. “We have been waiting for the right opportunity to get her back out there. She is a competitor and we will really need what she can bring to this team.”
Vry has been resting after developing soreness after that appearance against the Wolverines. It was believed Vry wouldn’t appear this week against the No. 3 University of Florida or Georgia. However, after throwing pain-free during pitching sessions Thursday and Friday, it was determined Saturday she could give it a go.
Stephanie Becker (8-3) threw the first 11 2/3 innings of the series. Becker has allowed 10 hits and two earned runs.
“We go out and try to compete every day,” Becker said. “Coach Vann always talks about this being a process. You can’t let one at-bat affect the next. We try to go out and compete and win each half inning. Our hitters have done a great job of giving us a chance in this series.
“I think our focus has been really good this weekend. Playing Florida tough (1-0 and 8-5 losses) has really made us realize our potential. We can’t get too worked up though, because it is a process. We try to live in the moment.”
A healthy Vry would help compliment Becker and give the Bulldogs a nice 1-2 punch as conference play begins to heat up.
Inside the boxscore
After going hitless in the doubleheader loss to Florida, Brittany Bell is back in a groove.
The Brandon, Fla., native leads the Bulldogs with a .464 average. Bell has 26 hits in 56 at-bats, with six home runs. Against Georgia, Bell is 3-for-5 with a walk. Bell is the only Bulldog to reach base safely in all 23 games this season.
MSU outfielder Ka’ili Smith has reached base safely in 22 of 23 games this season. Smith has reached base six times in this weekend series, with three hits and three walks.
“Our top of the lineup has been doing a great job of setting the tone,” Stuedeman said. “We have to do a little better job of advancing runners. I like our approach at the plate and our determination. We just have to get better at some of the little things.”
Right fielder Brittany Gates hit second for the Bulldogs for the first time this season. First baseman Shelby Fisher, who had been in the top third on the lineup, batted seventh.
No rest for the weary
While most MSU students will spend next week on spring break, the softball team will do some traveling.
MSU will travel Monday morning to Columbia, S.C., for a Tuesday afternoon Southeastern Conference doubleheader at South Carolina. The Bulldogs will play eight three-game conference series, and two other league teams twice in midweek doubleheaders.
MSU will be the first league team to finish its stretch of conference doubleheaders.
South Carolina is 17-7 and 1- 1 in the SEC after splitting its first two weekend series home games with Arkansas. The Razorbacks won 5-4 in eight innings Friday, while the Gamecocks returned the favor with a 7-2 win Saturday.
After playing at South Carolina, the spring break road trip will resume with a three-game weekend series at LSU. The series begins Friday in Baton Rouge, La.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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