STARKVILLE – The Mississippi State University softball game notes point out that more than 99 million homes will be able to watch the team’s nationally televised Southeastern Conference tournament game against the University of Alabama at 7 p.m. Thursday.
While national television viewership records are most likely safe, the eighth-seeded Bulldogs (33-21) and top-seeded Crimson Tide (47-7) still will play an important game to close out the first day of the three-day conference tournament. ESPN will have the national telecast. Fans also can view the game online at ESPN3.com.
“Preparing for the postseason is the best time of the year,” MSU first-year coach Vann Stuedeman said. “It is your second Christmas; it rivals up there with Christmas. It is what everybody plays for, so motivation will not be a huge factor. It’s all about confidence. We want to make sure the girls are confident going into postseason play.”
MSU played with lots of confidence in the back stretch of the regular season. The Bulldogs went 13-2 in April, which was the best April in school history. Entering the final weekend of the regular season, MSU had the second-best win streak in the SEC. The Bulldogs ran that win streak to 12 games before dropping the final two games of the final series at Auburn University.
The Bulldogs finished 12-16 in conference play — a two-game improvement from last season. MSU’s 33 wins marked a nine-game improvement from last season. MSU and Auburn finished tied for third in the Western Division. Auburn earned the seventh seed thanks to winning that final series.
“With Mississippi State, you have one of the hottest teams in our league,” Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said. “You can tell they play with a confidence. They are enjoying the game. This is a situation where all eight teams in this tournament could win a game against any of the other teams.”
Third-ranked Alabama won a third-straight SEC championship by going 23-5 mark in the league. That ledger includes three victories against MSU when the teams met in March in Starkville. MSU hung tough, though, dropping 5-4, 4-2, and 9-3 decisions.
“The series against Alabama may have been the turning point for our team,” MSU sophomore shortstop Erin Nesbit said. “In the past, we would play a little tight against teams such as Alabama. Coach Vann always stresses playing the game instead of the opponent.
“The ability to play some of the best teams in the country to the wire is what gave us a real lift in the second half of the season. We go into the tournament with a lot of confidence.”
Alabama is 49-7 all-time against MSU, and has won 26 straight in the series. The Crimson Tide has won four of five all-time meetings in this event.
“When you are playing a team for the fourth time, it is a battle of will,” Stuedeman said. “You have to impose your will on the opponent. Everybody knows everybody’s strengths and weaknesses, and everybody knows everybody’s weaknesses, so it is a gut check.”
MSU is making its 12th appearance in the tournament. The Bulldogs are 11-19 in the event, which was recently changed to a single-elimination format. MSU is 3-8 in its opening-round game, including a 5-1 first-round loss to Alabama last season.
MSU’s only appearance in the championship was a 5-4, nine-inning loss to Alabama in 1998.
Stuedeman is expected to start junior left-hander pitcher Stephanie Becker (18-10, 2.50 ERA). Her improvement has mirrored the turnaround of the MSU staff. The Bulldogs have trimmed last season’s 4.94 ERA to 2.85 this season.
“Her ERA is down, her home runs given up are down, her opponent batting average is down, and her win totals are up,” Stuedeman said. “She is a pleasure to coach. I have enjoyed every moment in the bullpen with her. She brings a short-term memory and a competitive spirit.”
With a Ratings Percentage Index of 37 this week, the Bulldogs appear headed to their first NCAA regional since 2009. The RPI is one factor the NCAA tournament selection committee uses to determine the field for the event. The committee will announce its selections Sunday night. MSU could remove any doubt by earning the league’s automatic invitation by taking three games and the tournament title. However, any win in Rhoads Stadium will be a résumé builder.
The MSU-Alabama winner will face fourth-seeded University of Georgia or fifth-seeded University of Kentucky at 4:30 p.m. Friday. ESPNU will have the semifinal round telecast. MSU went 4-2 against Georgia and Kentucky this season.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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