STARKVILLE — Mississippi State softball will have three former players representing the program as the second season of Women’s Professional Fastpitch begins Thursday.
Fifth-year outfielder Chloe Malau’ulu, who recently signed a contract with the Oklahoma City Spark, will be playing alongside another Bulldog in Fa Leilua. Leilua, who played for the Smash It Sports Vipers in 2022, was selected by the Spark in this year’s expansion draft.
Additionally, 2022 graduate student Annie Willis is returning for her second season with the Vipers, who are based in Oxford, Alabama.
The Spark are an expansion team for the 2023 season, and the three will face off to open the season, with the Vipers traveling to Oklahoma to play the Spark.
Mississippi State head coach Samantha Ricketts also has family ties to WPF as her sister, Keilani, is also a member of the Spark.
The four-team league is rounded out by the USSSA Pride and Texas Smoke. All teams will play a 36-game regular season through August 7 before playoffs begin August 11.
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