Cooley packs punch for MSU softball

STARKVILLE — Another weekend brings another highly regarded Southeastern Conference and national power to the MSU Softball Field.

Junior left fielder Jessica Cooley wouldn’t have it any other way for her Bulldogs.

Nesbit helps MSU rally past UAB

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University softball coach Vann Stuedeman preaches living in the moment, forgetting previous at-bats, and doing your best in the present.

Sophomore shortstop Erin Nesbit backed the coach’s approach Tuesday night.

MSU’s win against UAB big deal for Mullins

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University’s 4-3 victory against the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Tuesday was a pretty big deal to assistant softball coach Beth Mullins.

Kingery, Jackets rememebr fondly state championship run

For Starkville High soccer player Kase Kingery, winning a state championship was simply a matter of time.

New Hope’s Sarah Hern transitions to defense to help lead team

New Hope High School soccer player Sarah Hern did her best this season to help motivate her teammates.

Starkville’s Hardin shows leadership on, off field

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School sophomore Noa Hardin takes great delight when her teammates look to her for leadership and guidance on the soccer field.

EMCC men primed to pull upset at national tournament

East Mississippi Community College men’s basketball coach Mark White compares the situation his team is in to that of Lehigh University or Norfolk State University.

EMCC men leave for NJCAA national tournament

East Mississippi Community College cleared space in the trophy case for the school’s first national championship in football in December.

The Lions would like to add some basketball hardwood to that case.

MSU softball team building bonds, confidence

The Mississippi State University softball team found itself in a lengthy airport layover Wednesday afternoon trying to get from Columbus, S.C., to Baton Rouge, La.

While no one likely will write a paper entitled “How I spent my spring break” about this odyssey, the Bulldogs were determined to make the most of their spare time.

MSU softball misses chance to take series vs. Georgia

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State softball player Heidi Shape enjoys playing against the University of Georgia.

Shape is a Georgia native and was a standout at Norcross High School in Duluth, Ga.

The second baseman had another couple of nice defensive plays and a hit Saturday, but it wasn’t enough to help MSU avoid a 2-0 loss to No. 7 Georgia in a Southeastern Conference game at the MSU Softball Field.

Vry returns to circle for MSU softball

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.

MSU softball upsets No. 7 Georgia

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University softball team was left with two options Wednesday night.

MSU could have been disappointed after two hard-fought losses against the No. 3 University of Florida and let a possible slide begin.

The other option was for the team to return to the diamond and pull a top-10 upset.

MSU softball hosts No. 7 Georgia

STARKVILLE — No rest.

Less than 48 hours after dropping a tough doubleheader to third-ranked Florida, the Mississippi State softball team returns to action tonight and the competition gets no easier.

MSU hosts No. 7 Georgia in the opening-game of a three-game Southeastern Conference series at the MSU Softball Field.

MSU’s Cooley earns national honor

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University junior left fielder Jessica Cooley is deeply appreciative of the attention she received this week.

On Tuesday, Cooley was named USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week. The program’s first national award under new coach Vann Stuedeman came one day after Cooley was chosen as the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week.

Florida takes two from MSU softball

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.

Injuries mount in MSU baseball team’ss latest win

STARKVILLE — The victories and the injuries continue to mount for the Mississippi State University baseball team.

MSU won its sixth straight Wednesday night with a come-from-behind 10-6 triumph against Penn State at Dudy Noble Field. The Bulldogs won for the seventh time after trailing in a game this season, and swept the two-game series, which was the first meeting between the programs.

Buzz word for Miller, Jackets: Build, Build, Build

Dr. Stan Miller has just completed his second year as Starkville High School’s athletic director.

A Jersey City, N.J., native, Miller returned to Starkville in 2009 after serving a 14-year stint as the school’s principal.

MSU softball wins two by run rule

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University softball coach Vann Stuedeman wanted her team to use last week’s appearance in the prestigious NFCA Leadoff Classic as a learning experience.

The Bulldogs showed a lot of what they learned Friday at the MSU Softball Field.

Starkville walks over Columbus

Starkville High executed three different hit-and-run opportunities to perfection Tuesday night.

With offensive production like that, the Yellow Jackets did not need the 12 walks and two hit batsman issued by Columbus pitching or the six errors made by the Columbus defense.

All of those extras led to a bevy of insurance runs as the Jackets belted the Falcons 18-4 in a five-inning prep baseball contest.

Starkville boys set to face Wayne County

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School boys basketball coach Greg Carter has a short list of keys to victory for his team at the state tournament.

“In the Big House, everybody is really good,” Carter said. “It comes down to taking care of the little stuff, that and making shots. I know that sounds simple, but this is not rocket science. The championship teams are the ones who take care of the little stuff and make shots.”