STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University sophomore third baseman Sam Lenahan didn’t have to think twice when the opportunity to play Southeastern Conference softball presented itself.
Two years into her MSU career, the experience has been even better than then Lawrenceville, Ga., native could have imagined.
“It has been everything I thought it would be and a whole lot more,” Lenahan said. “You are playing in one of the best conferences in the nation. Every time you play a great game against a great opponent in front of the best fans in the nation. Every game you have a great atmosphere. What more could you possibly want than this opportunity? I could not have asked for anything better.”
MSU (25-19 overall, 8-14 SEC) will play in another charged atmosphere this weekend when it plays host to the University of Kentucky (23-23, 10-9). The series, which kicks off at 5 p.m. today, is part of Super Bulldog Weekend on the MSU campus.
ESPNU will televise the noon game Saturday. The finale will be at 1 p.m. Sunday.
“We are very excited about this series,” Lenahan said. “Being on TV is an incredible opportunity. Plus, there is so much going on on campus, we expect our biggest crowds of the year. It is fun having the other sports around, football, baseball, volleyball, soccer, Sugarland concert, and the SEC tennis tournament. It is going to be a great weekend on campus, and I look forward to seeing some of the other teams play.”
The softball team’s business at hand is critical in the SEC race. The Bulldogs are trying to nail down third place in the Western Division and one of the eight spots in the SEC tournament in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
MSU is seventh in the league — 1-1/2 games ahead of Auburn. The teams will meet next month. In the 11-team league, the Bulldogs hold the tiebreaker on the league’s bottom three teams, so a split of three of their final six league games should help the Bulldogs qualify for the league tournament.
Kentucky, which advanced to the Super Regional last season, has rebounded from a difficult start to win consecutive conference three-game series against the University of South Carolina and the University of Georgia. The Wildcats also swept a two-game set from the University of Mississippi and split two games against the University of Arkansas.
MSU has won consecutive league series against Arkansas and Ole Miss, and six of its past seven. It took 5-3, 2-1, and 10-3 wins against Ole Miss last weekend in Oxford.
MSU has exceeded last season’s overall win total. To do that, the Bulldogs persevere through a stretch that saw them lose nine straight SEC games in March.
“We owe our confidence to coach Vann (Stuedeman) and the other coaches,” Lenahan said. “We play every team like they are the national champions. I think that mind-set has helped us with the success we have been having. Every day, the coaches preach playing the game and not playing the opponent. If you believe that, then you go hard as you can every inning.”
Stuedeman was most proud than Lenahan wasn’t intimidated by a position change. Lenahan was named to the conference’s All-Freshman team last year after splitting time at catcher and first base. To get her offense in the lineup, Stuedeman moved her to third base this season.
“The best thing about Sam is we have her two more years,” Stuedeman said. “On any good team, you have to have players who will do what is best for the team. Even though she was not a regular third baseman, she accepted the move and said, ‘Coach, whatever is best for the team.’ You love that type of attitude. You can coach a player like that.
“She has provided huge leadership for us from third base. Each day she works to get better and to do what is best for the team. You can’t coach attitude. That is a leadership quality. She never had a bad thought or vibe about the move. Instead, she relished a new opportunity.”
Lenahan has started all 44 games this season. Her .331 batting average is fourth best on the team. She has 43 hits, 53 RBIs, and is fielding at a .940 clip. More importantly, she has a tremendous amount of confidence in her new coach and her new position.
“Playing for coach Vann is incredible,” Lenahan said. “She is so enthusiastic. She has a great enthusiasm for the game. She has a way to pull the very best out of you. And that is not just on the softball field. She wants us to be at our best athletically, academically and socially. It’s an all-in deal with her. She has an incredible passion for the game and an incredible passion for her players. You feel that every day.”
That passion and desire has allowed the Bulldogs to post 11 true roads wins — the most for the program since 2001.
The Bulldogs hope that success helps them return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2009. With a Ratings Percentage Index figure of 31, the Bulldogs are inching toward a winning season, which would almost ensure postseason play. If the Bulldogs break though, it’s a safe bet Lenahan will play a key role.
“She is such a tough out,” Stuedeman said. “That is the best thing about her game. She is not going to do anything flashy. But she is very solid and can hit any type of pitch. We have been using her as our four-hole hitter because she is a natural there. She has all the leadership characteristics you want in a player. After that, she has natural ability and a desire to work harder to be better.
“We are very fortunate she will be around for a long time to come.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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