No. 16 Mississippi State Wins 13th Run-Rule Game Against UAB
Bulldogs bounce back from heart-breaking loss to Florida before heading to South Carolina this weekend
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Earlier this week, Mississippi State’s Madisyn Kennedy was named First Baseman of the Month by Softball America for March. If her first game in April is any hint, she could very well win it again this month.
Kennedy jump-started the No. 16 Bulldogs’ offense with her SEC-leading 14th home run of the season in the first inning and MSU cruised to a 14-0 victory in just five innings against UAB (14-21, 5-7 AAC). It’s the Bulldogs 13th run-rule victory this season, tying the all-time school record.
The win comes three days after the Bulldogs (26-9, 6-6 SEC) lost to Florida, 7-6 after leading 6-4 to start the final inning and two days before they face No. 22 South Carolina this weekend.
"I thought it was a good bounce back after Game 3 of the Florida series, and I thought they really came out ready to attack and not worried about carrying anything with them," MSU coach Samantha Ricketts said. "At this point, these games are a good opportunity to take a step back, go out there and continue to refine your craft and make sure you get people at-bats who maybe aren't getting a lot on the weekends. Aquana Brownlee, Saleyna Daniel, Riley Hull, they're big bats for us that don't always get in every game."
Those big bats come through against UAB on Wednesday. Brownlee had a two-run home run, Hull was 1-for-1 and a walk with an RBI and two runs scored, and Daniel was hit a double in her only at-bat.
"It just felt good going back to my old self and knowing what I'm capable of and being confident, finally, in my abilities,” Brownlee said. “It showed in this game.”
Brownlee’s home run bookended the Bulldogs’ scoring with Kennedy’s first-inning home run. The third inning home run to make the score 14-0 was Brownlee’s first home run this season.
Aspen Wesley started the game inside the circle for MSU, pitching two innings and allowed one hit and struck out three batters. Matalasi Faapito (2-1) held UAB scoreless in the third and fourth innings to pick up her second win of the season. Delainey Everett pitched the final inning without allowing a baserunner and one strikeout.
MSU will remain on the road for its next SEC series against No. 22 South Carolina (27-10, 3-6 SEC). Game 1 is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday on SEC Network+. The second game of the series will air on SEC Network starting at 1 p.m. Saturday. Sunday’s series finale is slated to start at 11 a.m. and will air on SEC Network+.