In what could be their final home series of the season, the Mississippi State University softball team’s senior class ended their college careers with a bang by sweeping No. 22 Kentucky in Starkville over the past weekend.
The senior class was recognized this past weekend during the series, including pitcher Grace Fagan, along with Jackie McKenna, Anna Kate Segars, Chloe Malau’ulu and Shea Moreno.
”It’s meant a lot. It’s changed my life,” McKenna said after clinching the series. “I honestly never thought I’d be here and have the opportunity to come play for the Maroon and White. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
In game one, the Wildcats struck first, opening the game with a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Bulldogs would score the second with back-to-back sacrifice flies from Moreno and Madisyn Kennedy in the second inning.
Bulldog infielder Aquana Brownlee launched a three-run homer to propel the Bulldogs further into the lead. They would end up taking the series opener 6-2 over the Wildcats.
In game two, the Wildcats took a commanding 5-0 lead at the top of the second, but the Bulldogs answered with a solo home run from Madisyn Kennedy and a double from McKenna that scored another run.
Kentucky would score just one more run before chaos ensued for the Wildcats. Two walks, a fielder’s choice and an error helped set up a career-first grand slam for Moreno as the Bulldogs planted themselves in front. Home runs from Paige Cook and McKenna would follow, allowing the Bulldogs to clinch the series with a 12-6 victory in game two.
The Bulldogs got the sweep in a 7-4 win in game three, which was highlighted by home runs from Cook, Malau’ulu and pinch hitter Matalasi Faapito, who also made a pitching appearance in Sunday’s game. The ten home runs scored during the series were the most ever achieved in a SEC series.
“Jackie [McKenna] was just talking pregame about how she hasn’t had a home run this year … yet,” Bulldogs coach Samantha Ricketts said. “But she knew it was coming, and she really just stayed bought into her process and what she’s been doing, day in and day out. I’m just excited for her, for Shea, for the whole class to be able to go out on Senior Day.”
With the sweep over Kentucky, the Bulldogs have a record of 27-22 overall, including 6-14 in SEC play. Up next, they travel to play Samford in Birmingham, Alabama, on Thursday before finishing the regular season with a three-game series at No. 17 Auburn this upcoming weekend.
