STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University softball team was left with two options Wednesday night.
MSU could have been disappointed after two hard-fought losses against the No. 3 University of Florida and let a possible slide begin.
The other option was for the team to return to the diamond and pull a top-10 upset.
MSU chose the latter Friday night, breaking a 2-2 tie with three runs in the fifth inning to upset the No. 7 University of Georgia 5-3 at the MSU Softball Field.
“This is what we have talked about all year,” MSU second baseman Heidi Shape said. “We have been working hard to get to this point. Everybody on the team now believes we can win these types of ballgames. The losses to Florida didn’t get us down like they would have in the past. Instead, it made us more determined and more focused to come out and get a win.”
Florida snapped MSU six-game winning streak Wednesday. On Friday, MSU (15-7, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) bounced back in the first game of the three-game series. Georgia fell to 19-3 and 0-1.
“From day one, we have talked about a mind-set and about believing,” MSU head coach Vann Stuedeman said. “The only way you can achieve success is if you believe it. The girls approached this game with a mind-set. We had a focus and determination from the first pitch.”
MSU won against a ranked opponent for the second time this season. MSU beat then No. 17-Georgia Tech in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The victory Friday night was MSU’s first home win against a top-10 opponent since 2008.
“We have played some really great opponents and that has made us tougher this season,” MSU catcher Ka’ili Smith. “I saw a determination tonight. Right after they tied the game up, we came in really fired up. Hopefully, this win will carry over for the remainder of the series.”
Stephanie Becker (8-2), who threw 12 innings and 188 pitches against Florida, threw her sixth complete game of the season. She allowed five hits and no earned runs, with two walks and a season-best 10 strikeouts.
“We just went out there and tried out best,” Becker said. “Vann called great pitchers and (Ka’ili Smith) called a great game. We worked the count and it worked in our favor.
“We don’t worry about the teams we are playing, we just play the game. If we work the process well, do everything individually and as a team that we should, then it takes care of itself.”
The 10 strikeouts marked a new season high for Becker. It is the second time this year a MSU pitcher struck out 10 in a game.
“Stephanie challenged hitters,” Stuedeman said. “We made some mistakes behind her but she found a way to keep her composure and battle through for outs. It looked like she improved her performance when the game was on the line.”
MSU started the scoring with two runs in the fourth. Jessica Cooley singled, stole second, and scored on a single by Shape. After an infield error, a bunt single by Jessica Offutt brought the next run home.
Georgia had two of its five hits in the fifth. A two-run double by Ashley Pauly tied the contest at 2.
MSU answered in the bottom half of the inning. Hitless in the doubleheader against Florida, Brittany Bell started things with a triple. After a pop up, Cooley walked and stole second. Shape followed with a single to left field. A throwing error brought home another run. Brittany Gates’ run-scoring single capped the inning.
Shape had two of the Bulldogs’ seven hits. MSU also capitalized on a season-high four errors by Georgia.
Game two will be at 1 p.m. today.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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