KISSIMMEE, Fla. — After having its schedule shifted due to a Saturday washout, the Mississippi State softball team defeated Miami University and No. 23 Notre Dame on Sunday at Diamond 9 Citrus Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
In the first game, sophomore Mackenzie Toler (1-0) allowed one hit in six innings to lead MSU to a 3-1 victory.
In the second game, sophomore Alexis Silkwood (11-2) scattered three hits in a complete-game effort to help MSU beat No. 23 Notre Dame 6-1. Silkwood struck out three to help the Bulldogs go 3-1 at the event and improve to 16-3.
“I love the level of energy we came out with today after getting rained out yesterday,” MSU coach Vann Stuedeman said. “Sundays are about toughness. We were mentally and physically prepared for today. We got off to strong starts in both games and that allowed us to play loose. We are ready to get home to play in front of our hometown crowd this week.”
MSU played one less game than was scheduled due to Saturday weather postponements and Sunday travel plans.
In the opener, Toler helped her cause with a two-run single. MSU once again displayed its alert baserunning, as senior Ashley Phillips scored from second on a slow-rolling groundout to make it 3-0 in the fourth inning.
The RedHawks broke up Toler’s no-hitter and shutout in the seventh with a solo home run. Silkwood entered with no outs and sealed the deal to collect her first save.
In the nightcap, MSU opened the scoring thanks to two hit batters and two walks.
Senior Julia Echols added a two-run home run and senior Erika Gaul added a solo home run to make it 4-0. In the third, MSU used three hits and an error to cap a three-run frame to make it 6-0.
MSU will play host to Kennesaw State at 3 p.m. Wednesday (SEC Network +).
n Michigan State 9, Ole Miss 3, 8 innings: At Miami, the Rebels rallied twice to force extra innings, but couldn’t find a third answering rally, as a six-run eighth inning helped the Spartans (10-7) beat the Rebels (12-5) to close the Felsberg Invitational at Florida International University.
Ole Miss went 4-1 on the weekend with wins against Michigan State and FIU and two wins against Bethune Cookman.
Emily Gaitan (7-1) took the loss. She allowed seven runs — two earned — on four hits with three strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings in relief. Madi Osias worked the first 4 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on two hits and three walks. She struck out five.
In the first, Elantra Cox singled, stole second base, and scored on a Bri Payne single to right field.
Ole Miss tied the game in the sixth won an RBI groundout to second by Payne. In the seventh, Cox sparked a rally with a leadoff triple. She scored on a single by Miranda Strother.
Ole Miss will play host to Memphis at 6 p.m. Tuesday in its home opener at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
n Alabama 3, Louisiana-Lafayette 2, eight innings: At Tuscaloosa, Alabama, After a late rally fell short in Saturday’s second game, the Crimson Tide earned redemption Sunday with a game-tying home run in the seventh and a walk-off sacrifice fly by Haylie McCleney in the eighth.
Haylie McCleney battled through a 10 pitch at-bat before sending a line drive into right field, allowing pinch runner Andrea Hawkins to tag up and score from third base.
Sydney Littlejohn (7-0) earned the victory after allowing the tying run in the seventh. Leslie Jury started and allowed one run on five hits in five innings. She struck out seven.
Alabama opened the scoring in the third, as Chandler Dare led off with a bunt single, stole second base, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Demi Turner. The Crimson Tide tacked on a run in the sixth on a fielder’s choice.
Former New Hope High School standout DJ Sanders started at shortstop in each game of the three-game series and was 0-for-9.
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