Mississippi State University Softball (17-3) only scored in the first inning of their midweek game against Boston College (6-10), but it was enough points to take a 4-3 win.
Outfielder Kat Moore led off the inning with a single. Catcher Mia Davidson walked, and then infielder Sarai Niu and utility Emily Heimberger both singled to drive in two runs. Then infielder Morgan Bell, a senior from Braselton, Georgia, hit a double to bat in the last two runs.
“We are always looking to start fast and finish strong,” Bell said.
On the mound, Cassady Knudsen started the game and went six innings. She threw 112 pitches and faced 27 batters. She struck out 10 of those batters, but also gave up six hits. Knudsen, a senior from Altoona, Iowa, said she took things out by out and inning by inning, not worrying when the game got close.
“We don’t focus on what the score is, it is always zero to zero for us, so it does not put any pressure on us,” Knudsen said.
Boston College fought back, chipping away at the lead over the course of the game. They scored two runs in the second inning and another run in the fifth inning. Heading into the final inning, head coach Vann Studeman brought in senior pitcher Holly Ward to close the game. Studeman said it is a great feeling to trust Ward in conjunction with Knudsen when Ward starts to close games.
“It is nice to know you have two kids (Ward and Knudsen) that want the ball and want that role,” Studeman said. “They want to be out there to do it and enjoy that opportunity.”
Studeman said she was happy with the team’s performance on the day. The game was moved from 6 p.m. to 4 p.m., and she was worried it would affect her team’s play.
“We moved out game time up, so I wasn’t sure how the kids were going to respond,” Studeman said. “Kat (Moore) setting the tone, bouncing one over first base, and that really set the tone for the rest of the game. I thought Cassady had a tough first half, honestly, I thought she had a tough outing all day, but I look at the box score and she has 10 strikeouts. She had a little better of a day than I thought she did.”
MSU will play the University of Illinois at 6 p.m. Friday at home.
