Pardon Mississippi State softball coach Vann Stuedeman if she goes around looking for a night light or two this weekend.
Her young Bulldogs squad is on a road trip for the first time.
Playing this weekend in Orlando Florida, MSU is part of a 12-team field for the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic. Play begins today when MSU faces No. 13 Minnesota (13-1) at 12:15 p.m. and Maryland (10-5) at 2:30 p.m. at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
“This tournament has been very good to us,” Stuedeman said. “We came home in 5-0 in 2013. The venue is magical. It’s Disney where dreams come true. We are looking forward to great weather and softball.”
After posting a 13-1 mark in its season-opening 14-game homestand, this road trip began with a 5-4, eight-inning loss to UAB. It was the Bulldogs’ first extra-inning game.
Now the stakes are even higher today when Minnesota presents the first ranked opponent of the season.
“It is time to play some really good competition to see where we stand,” MSU sophomore third baseman Caroline Seitz said. “This weekend will go a long way towards helping us get ready for (Southeastern Conference) play.”
Seitz leads the league with seven home runs, while sophomore Alexis Silkwood is tied for the first in the league with nine wins and second in the league with 73 strikeouts.
Follow Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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