From Special Reports
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico — The No. 25 Mississippi State softball team dropped its first two games Thursday at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge at Nancy Almaraz Field.
In its first game, MSU lost to Southern Illinois 4-1. In the nightcap, MSU lost to No. 5 Washington 7-5.
Against Washington, Mia Davidson went 3-for-3 at with three home runs to set MSU’s single-game record. She was one shy of tying the NCAA’s single-game mark. Davidson had a career-high five RBIs and drew a walk.
Davidson has 24 career home runs and is two shy of tying Briana Bell (2008-13) for seventh in program history.
Senior Bevia Robinson went 2-for-3 2 with a run scored.
Washington (5-1) took the lead on Emma Helm’s two-run double. The Huskies tacked on five more runs in the second inning — three unearned — thanks in part to Morganne Flores’ two-run homer to left center.
Sophomore Emily Williams (1-1) allowed six runs on four hits and two walks to take the loss. She struck out two. Freshman Grace Fagan allowed four hits and one unearned run in the final four innings. She struck out four.
In the opener, Southern Illinois used a three-run sixth to power past MSU.
Senior second baseman Emily Heimberger went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Junior pitcher Alyssa Loza (1-1) allowed four runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. The right-hander struck out five. Junior pitcher Candace Denis and sophomore pitcher Emily Williams threw a third of an inning.
MSU scored in the top of the third. Heimberger led off the inning with a single up the middle. Heimberger stole second base and scored on senior outfielder Kat Moore’s two-out single.
In the top of the sixth, MSU loaded the bases with two outs after a hit by pitch and two walks, but it didn’t score.
MSU will take on Sacramento State at 10 a.m. Friday and UCF at 12:30 p.m. Friday.
Rain washes away Ole Miss’ game against Loyola Marymount:At Los Angeles, For the second-straight game, the Ole Miss softball team lost to Mother Nature, as its game against Loyola Marymount on Thursday was cancelled due to rain. The game won’t be made up.
Ole Miss will turn its attention to the Stacey Winsberg Memorial Tournament, where it will face UC Riverside, Cal Poly, Oregon State, No. 2 UCLA, and Boise State in the next three days.
Alabama softball team heads to Arizona for Hillenbrand Invitational: At Tucson, Arizona, the No. 7 Alabama softball team will take on USF at 12:15 p.m. today in its first game at the Hillenbrand Invitational.
Alabama will play New Mexico at 2:30 p.m. Friday. It will face Cal State Fullerton at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and No. 9 Arizona at 4:45 p.m. Saturday. It will wrap up its stay at the event with a game against UIC at 12:15 p.m. Sunday.
Alabama (5-0) was undefeated last weekend at the Trojan Classic in Troy, Alabama. The Crimson Tide scored 53 runs to record the highest total on a season-opening weekend in Alabama history.
Southern Mississippi softball team gears up for Getterman Classic: At Waco, Texas, the Southern Mississippi softball team (5-1) will take on UT Arlington at 12:30 p.m. Friday and No. 16 Baylor at 5:30 p.m. Friday in its first games at the Getterman Classic hosted by Baylor University at Getterman Stadium.
Sam Houston State rounds out the tournament field.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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