STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University senior outfielder Brittany Gates has a simple reminder.
Even though the softball Bulldogs celebrate Senior Day with a 1 p.m. doubleheader against Tennessee Tech University Saturday, the season is a long way from over.
“Senior Day is going to be bittersweet and very emotional for me,” said Gates, a three-year letter winner from nearby Houston. “However, the best news is that we still have a lot of softball left to be played.”
After a two-year absence, the Bulldogs are back in the postseason discussion. MSU appears headed to an NCAA regional apperance with this week’s RPI of 34 and a current standing of seventh in the overall conference standings.
The Bulldogs clinched a berth in the Southeastern Conference tournament with last week’s home sweep of Kentucky.
“The difference in attitude is amazing with this team. This is the closest we have been since I have been here. Coach Vann (Stuedeman) has such an amazing enegergy level, such an intensity. It is fun to come to the park every day.”
In her fourth year with the program, Gates had options — she could count the hours until the end of her career or she could embrace the new coach and the new attitude which now permeates the MSU program.
“If you spend two hours with Coach Vann, you want to play for her,” Gates said. “She is your biggest fan and your biggest critic at the same time. It has been an incredible year. We focus on the process and not the opponent. That has allowed us to grow as a team.”
Gates has also grown throughout her Bulldog career.
“Playing in the SEC has been an incredible experience,” Gates said. “I could not have asked for any part of this experience to have been any better. I love my coaches and my teammates. Next year, I will still be in school and I will be their biggest fan.”
Gates is hitting .281 with 12 stolen bases in 34 starts. As a team, the Bulldogs are 30-19 overall and will be looking to extend a 11-game win streak against non-conference opponents.
“Their was an attitude and a mind-set established in the fall that this season was going to be different,” Gates said. “As a senior, you want to go out playing your best softball. This team has allowed me to do just that.”
Gates, Ka’ili Smith, Brittany Bell, Misty Flesher and Lindsey Dunlap will be honored in pregame ceremonies Saturday.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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