LAFAYETTE, La. — Mississippi State softball coach Vann Stuedeman has made her mark as a pitching specialist.
However, Stuedeman has built the Bulldogs program in atypical fashion.
Instead of using one ace pitcher, the Bulldogs have relied on pitching by committee — with starters some relieving and relievers sometimes starting. She has called it playing softball with a baseball mentality.
This season, though, has proven quite different.
Sophomore pitcher Alexis Silkwood has emerged as the unquestioned staff leader in the circle. The Bulldogs plan to see how just far Silkwood can carry them.
The Illinois native will be in the circle at 5:30 p.m. today when third-seeded MSU (35-19) takes on second-seeded Baylor (38-15) in the Lafayette Regional at Lamson Park. ESPN3 will broadcast the game nationally.
“Alexis has been our workhorse, and we are going to ride her for as long as she can,” Stuedeman said. “She has worked very hard to get to this point. We have some other young pitchers who continue to grow and develop. However, Alexis will have to carry us if we are going to go to the next round.”
This is MSU’s 12th regional appearance and school record-matching fourth straight under Stuedeman. While MSU hasn’t advanced to a super regional, Silkwood could help change that.
“This is an exciting time,” Silkwood said. “It’s an honor to still being play softball. We know we are one of the final 64 teams. However, our goal is to win the regional. We really believe in one another and we believe in our capabilities.”
Silkwood (25-14) leads the Southeastern Conference with 216 2/3 innings. She is tied for first in victories and second in the league with 199 strikeouts. A win today would match the school single-season record for victories.
“Silk is such a competitor,” MSU junior shortstop Kayla Winkfield said. “We have total confidence in her when she is in the circle. She has that Bulldog mentality. She is such a fierce competitor. That translates well onto the field.”
Silkwood won 14 games her freshman campaign as understudy to Alison Owen. Owen spent a large majority of her senior campaign nurturing Silkwood and helping her learn what it takes to pitch in the nation’s best conference.
During the offseason, Stuedeman took it from there and helped Silkwood deliver a different grip and an additional pitch. Stuedeman felt like her mechanics gave away some pitches late in last season. The MSU coaches also decided to turn Silkwood loose with the bat. That plan has worked as Silkwood is hitting .338 with three home runs and 20 RBIs.
However, her main contributions will remain in the circle. Mackenie Toler, Cassady Knudsen, and Holly Ward have each had their ups and downs in the circle. Stuedeman said each will pitch in the regional but most likely to one hitter or to get the team through a lineup one time.
In the end, Silkwood will be key if the team is to shake off eight losses in its final 12 regular-season games and write another chapter in the history books.
“It’s exciting to know your teammates are looking up to you,” Silkwood said. “Even though we had some struggles, it’s a new season now. Everybody is ready to go.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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