STARKVILLE — Mississippi State softball announced the official signing of incoming freshman infielder Salen Hawkins to their 2023 signing class Thursday.
Hawkins, ranked the No. 21 middle infielder in the country by Extra Innings Softball, was one of Arizona’s best offensive players during her high school career.
“We are excited to welcome Salen to our incoming class for next season,” associate head coach Tyler Bratton said in Thursday’s press release. “She is a talented infielder that makes difficult plays look routine. A natural leader with a high softball IQ and incredible quickness all over the diamond both defensively and offensively makes her a no-brainer. Salen possesses a plus arm and tremendous bat speed, and we are thrilled to have her in the maroon and white.”
Hawkins originally announced her commitment to MSU on social media on July 10.
In just her first two high school seasons, Hawkins posted an OPS of over 1.300 and 1.500, hitting .462 as a senior while winning her program’s Joe Selleh Award this spring.
Along with her high school prowess, the travel ball success has followed, where she was named to Extra Innings Softball’s All-Summer Team in 2021, posting an OPS well over 1.300 in her senior summer.
“Before even visiting, I like how understanding of a person Coach Ricketts was – caring for me not only as a softball player but as a person,” Hawkins said in Thursday’s press release. “When I met the coaching staff and saw what the university had to offer, I knew it was my home.”
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