The Mississippi State University softball team fended off Marshall this weekend, including double-header wins on Saturday, extending its winning streak to six games.
Saturday’s twinbill showcased two powerful pitching performances from senior Alison Owen and freshman Alexis Silkwood, whose efforts both combined for 23 Marshall strikeouts.
Silkwood, who picked up her eighth win of the year in game two, said the series sweep was a complete team effort.
“We knew that Sunday is all about toughness. We had excellent pitching, amazing defense and then we got some barrels — we strung everything together along with some key hits,” Silkwood said.
During the opener, MSU left the bases loaded in the bottom of the first but exploded for four runs in the bottom of the second.
Sophomore Kayla Winkfield stole second base prior to an infield hit by sophomore Loryn Nichols. A Marshall third baseman threw wide to first allowing Winkfield to score.
Senior Sam Lenahan then followed with a two-run home run to right for the three-run advantage. After a single from junior Julia Echols, freshman Caroline Seitz doubled off the top of the wall in center to plate Echols.
Owen retired eight batters in the final inning to seal the 4-0 victory.
In the second game, Marshall failed to score in the first and the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. MSU added to the lead in the bottom of the second with another run sparked by an infield single by Jessica Offutt.
Marshall had a chance to answer in the top of the fourth but could not convert. Silkwood retired nine of the final 10 batters to steal the 2-0 win.
The Bulldogs carried the offensive momentum into Sunday’s finale as MSU claimed a 9-1 win to complete the sweep of the Thundering Herd.
Timely hits and capitalizing on runs proved to be the keys to success for Sunday’s game.
MSU struck first by plating four runs in the opening frame. With the bases loaded, Silkwood collected her first hit in Maroon and White with a two-RBI single. Winkfield followed by driving in two runs on a base hit to left field.
The Bulldogs put the game out of reach with five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to set the 9-1 final. Lenahan collected a two-RBI hit, senior Logan Foulks hit a sacrifice fly and junior Ashley Phillips drove in a pair on a single to end the scoring.
Lenahan, who has hit .417 in the last nine games with a .563 on- base percentage, said the key in Sunday’s game was stringing hits together to build momentum on the bases.
“Personally, I could have been more aggressive. We got those key hits that got those runs in, and I think that really helped to give us the momentum.” Lenahan said.
The Bulldogs return to action Wednesday night as they travel to Itta Bena, Miss., to take on Mississippi Valley State at 6 p.m.