STARKVILLE — Behind the slugging power of sophomore Mia Davidson and junior Fa Leilua, the Mississippi State softball team defeated Alabama State 3-1 Wednesday at Nusz Park to pick up its first midweek victory of the season.
The Bulldogs (7-3) recorded six hits, but none bigger than the two home runs by Davidson and Leilua. Davidson went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Junior right-hander Candace Denis improved to 2-0. The Malakoff, Texas, native took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and allowed one run on two hits and two walks. She struck out five.
Leading off the bottom of the first, senior Emily Heimberger beat out an infield single to third base and capitalized on a mishandled ball at first base to move into scoring position. Davidson homered to center field for her sixth of the season to make it 2-0.
The score would hold until the top of the fifth as the Hornets picked up back-to-back singles to get their first runner into scoring position. MSU recorded a fielder’s choice at second, but a sacrifice fly to right field made it 2-1.
Leilua answered in the bottom of the fifth with a home run to left center. It was her seventh home run of the season.
Emily Williams retired the final six batters in order. She struck out four.
MSU will return to action at 3 p.m. Friday against Georgia Tech in The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament. It will face Alcorn State at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
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