TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — All a team really wants is a chance when it faces one of the nation’s top pitchers.
The Mississippi State University softball team had those chances Thursday night.
Facing Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year Jackie Traina, eighth-seeded MSU threatened in all but one inning before losing 5-2 to the top-seeded and third-ranked University of Alabama in the first round of the SEC tournament before a national television audience and a crowd of 2,691 at Rhoads Stadium.
“My heart swells for the Mississippi State Bulldogs tonight,” MSU coach Vann Stuedeman said. “We fought hard. We played great on national television. I am very proud for our girls tonight. You saw the type of effort tonight that will be getting us somewhere soon.”
The Bulldogs (33-22) hope their next destination will be the NCAA tournament. MSU last made a regional in 2009. With a strong Ratings Percentage Index and the program’s best record in April, the Bulldogs hope their name will be called Sunday when the NCAA tournament’s 64-team field is announced. Regional play begins May 17.
Meanwhile, top-seeded Alabama (48-7) will face the fourth-seeded University of Georgia (41-14) in the semifinals at 4:30 p.m. today (ESPNU).
“I think we have shown fight,” MSU senior catcher Ka’ili Smith said. “We have shown we can compete. I am so proud of my teammates for the type of team we have become. You can’t let up in a game because you never know when the play is coming that can change the outcome.”
MSU battled in its 27th straight loss to Alabama even though pitcher Stephanie Becker was removed from the game in the first at-bat of the second inning.
“We feel like there might be something in her grip with her hand,” Stuedeman said. “She is a warrior and she would do anything she could to be out there to pitch. She is a fighter. She said she was fine, but it was like no, you need to go.”
On the fourth pitch of the second, Becker uncorked a wild pitch that sailed 15 feet wide of home plate. She appeared to wince in pain during her throwing motion. After a brief visit with trainers and coaches, the Bulldogs made a move. Kylie Vry (9-8) entered and pitched the second before running into trouble in the third. The Crimson Tide’s first five batters reached base in a three-run third. Trailing 3-0, Lindsey Dunlap worked out of a bases-loaded jam with no outs.
“Lindsey really came in and gave us a spark,” MSU junior outfielder Jessica Cooley said. “We kept fighting because we knew it was a seven-inning game. We have battled through a lot of tough situations, so we know we have to compete until the end.”
The Crimson Tide turned three hits and a walk into two more runs in the fourth. Still, Dunlap proved effective in her second longest outing of the season. Throwing in her home state, the senior left-hander allowed three hits and two runs (both earned) and struck out six in four innings.
“To win postseason games, you have to have pitching depth,” Stuedeman said. “I am really proud of the effort Lindsey gave us. She had a lot of friends and family here, and I am sure that motivated her. She put us in a position to win the game.”
The Bulldogs finally hit Traina (32-2) hard in the sixth. With only two hits prior to that frame, MSU had three hits and scored twice. Heidi Shape started things with her second triple of the season. Sam Lenahan then smoked a double deep in the left-center field gap.
After a ground out, Cooley drove home a run with a squeeze bunt. MSU appeared ready to make a game of it before left fielder Kayla Braud made a magnificent catch on a line drive to end the inning.
“(Braud) made three catches against us in the four games we played them,” Stuedeman said. “Each of those plays involved highlight-reel catches that cost us dearly.”
While making stellar defensive plays has become common, Alabama coach Patrick Murphy counts on Braud, a junior from Oregon, to ignite the Crimson Tide in the leadoff spot. However, her season has been marred with some struggles at the plate. Murphy feels her three-hit performance Sunday in a SEC regular-season title-clinching win against the University of Florida may be the tonic needed to spark a strong postseason.
“She was dealing with so much negative energy,” Murphy said. “I think she finally had enough of that and decided to channel that energy into doing something good. Defensively she was phenomenal. I think her performance against Florida was huge. She is ready to take it to that next level (for the postseason).”
Braud set the tone early in the first when she made a diving catch to rob Lenahan of a base hit. Braud threw to first baseman Cassie Reilly-Boccia for an inning-ending double play.
Still, the Bulldogs had their chances. MSU reached the leadoff runner in four of seven innings. Traina walked two and hit one more. She struck out eight in a complete-game five-hitter.
“The atmosphere was outstanding tonight,” Stuedeman said. “This is what softball is all about. Alabama is to be congratulated for their three-peat (three straight SEC regular season championships). However, my team has made strides, too. This will serve as a good precursor for my team, showing them what regional softball is all about.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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