STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University’s softball program will take the “Our State” theme to another level in 2014.
From Feb. 28 through March 2, The Bulldogs will host a three-day, 10-team tournament at the Gulfport Sportsplex. The event was among the highlights of a 56-game schedule released Sunday.
“We want to bring attention to the quality facilities and to the quality softball we have being played in this state,” MSU third-year coach Vann Stuedeman said. “During our tournament, they will be hosting a high school tournament. We have a chance to make this a premier event.”
St. Patrick High School Tommy Castanedo is organizing the high school event, which has a field of 35 teams. The eight-field sportsplex will feature four college-playing fields and four high school-playing fields.
The college tournament field includes national powers Baylor University and University of Louisiana, Lafayette and regional power University of South Alabama. Other regional teams include Chattanooga University and the University of Memphis. MSU will play two games Friday, two games Saturday, and one game Sunday.
“I was very pleased with the number of teams we were able to draw for the first tournament,” Stuedeman said. “This was a plan that was started shaping up as soon we took the job here. I think it is so important to grow the sport in your home state. That is what we are doing. We want people to get out there and love softball in our state. Hopefully, we can really grow the event from here. But the response was extremely good for a first try.”
Many softball teams play in one marquee tournament per season. The Mary Nutter Classic and NFCA Leadoff Classic are among the national events, which draw as many as 24 teams each season.
“It will be nice to play (a large tournament) in our state,” Stuedeman said. “We will be four hours from home. That allows our players to get in as much class as possible before heading down there. Then you are back after a short bus ride Sunday, so there are several huge advantages.
“You want to play really good competition. When you can do that and not put your athletes at a disadvantage as far as travel then that is a big plus.”
The city of Gulfport will play host to the college tournament.
“I went to (the city) with the idea,” Stuedeman said. “I told them I would help them in any way. Coaches will buy in and join your tournament when they know that it is going to be a good event. We look forward to playing down there and seeing some coastal Bulldogs.”
MSU went 33-24 last season and advanced to a second straight NCAA regional tournament. This season’s schedule includes an atypical three tournaments prior to conference play.
MSU will open the season Feb. 7 by playing host to Northern Kentucky University, Jacksonville State University, and Mississippi Valley State University in the Bulldog Kickoff Classic. The following weekend, MSU will play in the Florida Atlantic University Classic. The third weekend is a rare three-game weekend home series with University of Iowa.
“Iowa was one of those teams that got squeezed out (of the NCAA tournament) because of their RPI (Ratings Percentage Index, a formula the NCAA uses to pick teams for its postseason tournament), so they wanted to play a stronger schedule,” Stuedeman said. “I really like playing a three-game weekend series like that because it prepares us for what we will be doing each weekend in the (Southeastern Conference).”
League play begins at home against the University of Kentucky. League play does not include the University of Mississippi. Ole Miss is one of four conference rivals not on MSU’s schedule.
A seven-game fall schedule begins Oct. 6 with East Mississippi Community College in Ridgeland.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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