STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University softball coach Vann Stuedeman tried everything and still came up short Sunday afternoon against her former employer.
Stuedeman used every pitcher on her roster, received multi-hit games from three players, and had her team work the opposing pitcher to a 125-pitch outing.
The result was still the same.
The University of Alabama used a six-run fourth inning to fuel a 9-3 victory to complete a three-game sweep of MSU. The win was the Crimson Tide’s 26th straight against the Bulldogs.
“That’s why they’re arguably the best team in the country,” Stuedeman said. “We’ve got to be able to stop the bleeding when a team is building the potential for a big inning.”
Alabama (35-1, 12-1 Southeastern Conference) blew open a tight game in the fourth. Shortstop Kaila Hunt hit solo home run to get things started. MSU starter Stephanie Becker loaded the bases thanks to an error, a bunt single, and a walk. No. 9 hitter Danae Hays then deposited Becker’s first pitch over the left-field wall for a grand slam that made it 6-1.
“We didn’t a very good job with runners on base all weekend and the grand slam really helped that today,” Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said. “It was awesome way to end the weekend. What I really thought we did well today was have patience and wait for the strike before we pounced.”
For the first time this season, Stuedeman used all five pitchers on her staff. Becker, a junior left-hander, started and gave up seven runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks. Shana Sherrod, Lindsey Dunlap, Misty Flesher, and Kylie Vry gave up just one hit and a run in the final 3 2/3 innings.
Pitching was the major difference between MSU (19-18, 3-13) and the Crimson Tide. Alabama ace Jackie Traina (21-0) held MSU to one earned run in six innings while striking out five. She threw 125 pitches less than 24 hours after nailing down the final inning Saturday for her first save of the season.
Traina also won game one of the series Friday.
“Day three in this conference is really tough on the pitching, and you usually see a lot more offense,” Stuedeman said. “Hats off to Jackie Traina, who was fabulous all weekend.”
MSU’s Ka’ili Smith (2-for-4), Sam Lenahan (2-for-4), and Brittany Gates (2-for-3) each had multiple hits. Senior designated player
Brittany Bell had a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, her eighth of the season.
“We have 18-20 games left, and if we continue to do this before the SEC tournament, nobody will be ready for us,” Smith said. “Every day we fight for it and we won’t stop giving up.”
Trailing 6-1, MSU left the bases loaded in the following two innings, and stranded 10 on the day.
“We’re hitting the ball and hitting it well, but we need some luck in that regard,” Stuedeman said. “That timely hit is going to fall, no doubt.”
MSU will close the SEC portion of its schedule against the University of Kentucky, the University of Arkansas, the University of Mississippi, and the University of South Carolina. None of those teams is ranked, and all of them entered the weekend with RPIs (Ratings Percentage Index) of 58 or higher.
“We showed this weekend we can hang with No. 2 in the country, but now we want the win,” Smith said. “We think we have what it takes, but we haven’t proven it yet.”
MSU will play Southern Miss at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Ridgeland.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.