Coming off its walk-off win over Kentucky in Tuesday’s first round, Mississippi State’s softball team was held to just three hits and left five runners on base Wednesday in a 3-0 loss to Arkansas in the second round of the SEC Tournament in Lexington, Ky.
The No. 10-seeded Bulldogs were doomed by the long ball and fell behind 1-0 in the first inning on a solo home run by Tianna Bell. The No. 7-seeded Razorbacks got a two-run blast by Kailey Wyckoff in the fifth to clinch its fourth straight victory over MSU this season after sweeping the Bulldogs in an SEC series earlier in the year.
State pitcher Alyssa Faircloth (13-7) pitched the complete game and was dealt her seventh loss of the year from the circle as she gave up six hits and all three runs with two strikeouts. Nadia Barbary and Paige Ernstes each had a single, and Kinley Keller clipped a double for the three MSU hits. Arkansas’ Payton Burnham got the win in the circle with two strikeouts and one walk.
The Bulldogs turn their attention toward the NCAA Tournament selection show on May 10 to see if they land among the larger playoff picture. Arkansas, meanwhile, advances to today’s quarterfinals showdown against No. 2-seeded Alabama. The winner of that game will play either Auburn or Florida in the semifinals on Friday.
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 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
