STARKVILLE — Mississippi State softball coach Vann Stuedeman has made her name nationally known as a pitching expert.
When Stuedeman was hired four seasons ago to revitalize the program, it was easy to assume going to the next level would involve getting a game-changing pitcher.
“All it takes is one,” Stuedeman said. “When Dak Prescott arrived on this campus, no one knew what to expect. He helped take the football program to No. 1 in the nation. He is that dynamic, game-changing athlete. You never know where you have one of those.
“It could be anybody in your dugout. To win in this game on a very high level, you have to have an outstanding pitcher, preferably two, and build around them.”
Stuedeman hopes Holly Ward is that type of pitcher.
A freshman right-hander from Haleyville, Alabama, Ward has won her first two starts at MSU, including an 8-0 win against Austin Peay on Saturday on the third day of the Bulldog Kickoff Classic at the MSU Softball Field.
MSU won both games it played Saturday to move to 4-0. In its first game of the day, MSU beat Saint Louis 3-2 on a walk-off single by Kayla Winkfield in the bottom of the seventh inning.
“It feels really great to get two wins,” Winkfield said. “The first win was so great because we really battled. We knew we had to the final out so we kept grinding.”
There was far less suspense in the Ward’s outing. She allowed three hits in the five-inning complete-game shutout.
“Holly was the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Alabama,” Stuedeman said. “She knows how to pitch. We feel like she will be able to step in and get Southeastern Conference hitters out right away. We will continue to use our bullpen rotation, so there will not be a lot of pressure on her early. However, she is a legitimate, top-notch pitcher.”
Stuedeman typically likes to mix and match pitchers and rarely asks them to go more than three innings. Many felt like this approach was utilized when Stuedeman was hired because her staff didn’t have the depth she wanted.
However, she insists she prefers the philosophy and will continue to use it.
Alexis Silkwood won 14 games last season as a freshman. Silkwood, a left-hander from East Alton, Illinois, earned the win against Saint Louis. She and Ward are off to 2-0 starts.
“The challenge is really on me this year, but I like that,” Silkwood said. “A year ago, I learned so much from Alison Owen. She was the teacher and I learned so much. Now, even though I am a sophomore, I am like one of the leaders, so the dynamics have changed a lot.”
Even though Silkwood made the SEC All-Freshman team a season ago, Stuedeman said she felt Silkwood tired toward the end of the year. She also felt opposing coaches had a better scouting report and that some of her positions in the circle would reveal which pitch she was fixing to throw.
“We have worked real hard with Alexis during the offseason because she can really be special,” Stuedeman said. “We have changed some of her grips. We are also working on another pitch. She needs another pitch that will help set up her strikeout pitch.
“Winning 14 games in this league is special, but it is also just the tip of what she is capable of doing.”
Silkwood and Ward have thrown 23 innings of the team’s 24 innings this season. The Bulldogs have won three times by run rule. Freshman right-hander Cassady Knudsen has thrown the other inning. Sophomore left-hander Mackenzie Toler completes the rotation. Toler played last season but didn’t pitch due to injury.
“Even though the other pitchers are young and new to pitching on this level, it is still an exciting time,” Silkwood said. “We know what they are capable of doing. The main thing is staying focused and staying confidence. If you aren’t on, coach will get you and someone will always have your back.
“Last year, I learned you have to be mentally tough. When you get knocked down, you have to get back up.”
MSU did that in the opener, when it trailed 2-1 entering the home half of the sixth.
A two-out RBI-single by Katie Anne Bailey tied the game. Bailey was 4-for-4 Friday night in a 9-1 win against Middle Tennessee. There were also two outs when Wakefield delivered the game-winner.
“It was great to come out and win a tight game when you have been behind most of the night,” Stuedeman said. “We talk about playing for seven innings. It was good to get a win like that against a quality pitcher.”
In the second game, Loryn Nichols had two of the Bulldogs’ 12 hits.
“We will be a better offensive team this year,” Silkwood said. “Don’t think the pitchers don’t know that either. We are pretty excited about it.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.