The Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs upped their record to 12-6 Wednesday with a 9-0 victory over the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles.
Senior pitcher Melissa Massey collected the win for the Bulldogs, pitching a shutout gem. Massey pitched six innings giving up only three hits with three strikeouts. Her record improved to 4-2 for the year.
“I felt good today,” Massey said. “Defense was very important. Having no errors is the number thing for us right now.”
The Bulldogs struck first as Keri McFarling tripled down the left field line to lead off the first innings. After a foul out by catcher Blair Geddings, freshman phenom Courtney Bures singled McFarling in for the Dawgs’ first run.
The Bulldogs were kept quiet in the second inning but struck again in the third as Jennifer Jessup hit a three-run bomb into the trees outside of left field. The home run was her third of the year.
The Bulldogs scored three more runs in the fourth and fifth innings off of Southern Mississippi errors and sacrifice flies by Bures and Katie Johnson. The runs pushed MSU to a 7-0 led.
The sixth inning proved to be the finale as Bures blasted a two-run homer over the centerfield fence to mercy rule the Golden Eagles 9-0. The home run was the shortstop’s eight big fly of the year.
The Bulldogs have shown a potent offense early in the season as they have had seven or more hits in 15 of their 18 games.
But more important than the potent Bulldog bats was the stellar MSU defense.
The Bulldogs committed no errors in the game for only the third time this season. Mississippi State had struggled with defense last weekend giving up costly unearned runs in losses to California-Berkeley and Pacific in the Palm Springs Classic.
Coach Jay Miller was pleased with the defensive effort and the offensive power.
“JJ (Jennifer Jessup) hit the big hit to start us up then of course Courtney finished it off,” Coach Miller said.
Bures finished the day going three for three, scoring two runs and knocking in four others. She also collected a stolen base. Bures credits her mindset for her success.
“I don’t go to the plate looking to hit a home run, I just look to make contact,” Bures said.
The freshman also points to the team goals instead of her personal accolades.
“Hitting home runs is probably the lowest goal on my list. I really try to focus on the team goals, like winning the SEC and making the regionals,” Bures said. “I just want to get as much as I can out of this year because I know this is the only year I get to play with this senior class.”