With two strong tournament showings under its belt already this season, the No. 15 Mississippi State softball team will look to continue its success in Macon, Ga., this weekend.The Bulldogs (11-0) emerged from last weekend’s Bulldog Round-Robin in Starkville with the tournament championship in tow, but the series of games was no walk in the park. In the Bulldogs’ final three games of the tournament, the team had to come from behind to win. Sixth-year head coach Jay Miller said it showed that the young Bulldog squad has the ability to stay cool under pressure and to pull out wins.
“In last weekend’s games, it was definitely a positive that the team came back to win the last three games of the tournament,” Miller said. “The girls didn’t get pressured when they were behind, but they kept playing and earned the victories. That says a lot.”
The Bulldogs head to Macon this weekend to take part in the Mercer Wingate Inn Classic. The five-team, three-day tournament will begin for the Maroon and White today as they duel with Western Kentucky (4-2) and Austin Peay. The Dawgs will continue tomorrow with games against Nicholls State (3-6) and host team Mercer (2-1). The tournament will conclude with seeded bracket play Sunday before the Bulldogs return home.
Though none of the tournament teams finished last season with a record of more than .500, Miller said the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers remind him of the Southern Illinois team he saw last week.
Still, he said there are other things more important when it comes to his style of softball than the opponents.
“Our goal is to play our game, and not to worry about the other teams, necessarily,” Miller said. “As long as our pitchers keep us in the ballgame, our offense will give us what we need.”
Miller said he was more pleased with his offense than he was after the Cathedral City Kickoff, but he still expects it to improve. Several MSU players have also earned impressive laurels this week heading into Macon.
Freshman pitcher Misty Flesher, of Lone Grove, Okla., was named the SEC’s Freshman of the Week following a 2-0 showing in the Bulldog Round-Robin. Flesher said that though she didn’t really know what to expect coming into the season, which she says couldn’t have started any better.
“It started out like I hoped it would,” Flesher said. “I had confidence. I hope it continues to stand that way. The defense behind me is great, and Chelsea [Bramlett] is calling great pitches.”
Senior shortstop Courtney Bures, of Haymarket, Va., was drafted Monday by defending National Pro Fastpitch champions Washington Glory. Bures was the 16th overall pick in the draft.
“Courtney will go play for Washington after this season ends, which hopefully will be after the College World Series ends in June,” Miller said with a chuckle.
If the Bulldogs continue down the winning path, the World Series might begin being mentioned in reference to them very soon.