STARKVILLE — Mia Davidson’s historic home run propelled Mississippi State to its sixth consecutive win Saturday, winning a 4-2 contest against No. 22 Georgia in Starkville. The six straight wins is the fourth-longest winning streak against Southeastern Conference opponents in school history.
Davidson, a senior catcher, reared back and crushed a dinger over the center field wall in the third inning that made her stand alone in school history. With that home run, she passed Rafael Palmeiro for the most home runs all time by a Mississippi State baseball or softball player with 68.
“I think it’s a great milestone, especially having Rafael Palmeiro behind me and cheering me on and supporting the whole team,” Davidson said. “It’s cool that a past baseball player is really cheering us on and seeing us in our success these last couple of weeks.”
Mississippi State relied on a few other stellar performances, especially from its starting pitcher, Emily Williams. The senior from Carrollton, Georgia started in hot water, surrendering a solo shot to Georgia’s Jayda Kearney in the top of the second that sailed over the right center field wall. Georgia continued to apply pressure as the Bulldogs loaded the bases with one out for Savana Sikes. Sikes gave Georgia a 2-0 lead on a sacrifice fly, and Williams got out of the jam with another flyout.
The Bulldog offense responded soon after, when Montana Davidson drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom frame to draw within a run. Then Mia Davidson’s milestone home run in the third tied the contest at two apiece.
That was when Willams went to work. She retired 14 batters in a row and only allowed one to reach base the rest of the game. Williams absolutely dominated the Bulldogs in red and black on her way to a complete game, her third of the season and struck out six batters.
“I thought she just settled in, she found her rise ball that she’s been losing a little out of the side of her hand and really didn’t get rattled, I thought that was the biggest thing.” Mississippi State coach Samantha Ricketts said.
With the game tied and Williams dealing, the Mississippi state offense played small ball to take the lead for good. Paige Cook led off the fourth inning with a walk, then Madisyn Kennedy was hit by a pitch. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners over, a fielder’s choice got the lead runner on her way to the plate, setting up a pressure-filled situation for junior Chloe Malau’ulu with runners at the corners and two outs. Malau’ulu came through in the clutch with a double into right field and to give the Bulldogs a 4-2 lead.
“I think it shows what we’ve learned through the last few weeks.” Ricketts said about coming from behind. “I think if this had happened early on in the SEC season it would not have been the same bounce back.”
Mississippi State (31-22, 7-15 SEC) will look to sweep the Georgia Bulldogs (29-19, 7-16) at 1 p.m. Sunday in Starkville.
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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