STARKVILLE — Even though she wasn’t a participant, Mississippi State University softball pitcher Alison Owen liked her team’s result.
“Alison was really excited because (a shutout) means the pitchers get to take batting practice,” MSU coach Vann Stuedeman said. “She is always excited when they have an opportunity to do that. I stole the idea from (Mississippi State baseball) coach Cohen. Boy, it has worked, too.”
MSU pitchers earned their latest round of batting practice after Stephanie Becker threw a complete-game three-hit shutout Wednesday night in a 1-0 victory against Mississippi Valley State University at the MSU Softball Stadium.
The five-person MSU pitching staff has earned a lot of time in the batting cages thanks to 10 shutouts this season.
“We were trying to jam them inside tonight,” said Becker, who ran her scoreless home streak to 13 innings. “Vann always calls a great game. I don’t think people really appreciate the job she does calling games. I got into a rhythm early and it worked out.”
MSU improved to 13-0 against teams from the state of Mississippi under Stuedeman, who is in her second season. The Bulldogs have defeated the Delta Devilettes by one-run margins in the past three meetings.
“Every time it has gone to the wire,” Stuedeman said.”Stephanie knew the importance of pitching well. I don’t think she feels pressure, but I think she tries to execute pitch by pitch and lives in the moment.
“She knew this was going to be a tough outing and she needed to be sharp. She was just that.”
The Bulldogs scored in the third inning. Loryn Nichols slapped a lead-off single and stole second base. Third in the nation in stolen bases per game, the Bulldogs try to apply the pressure early and often. Jessica Cooley followed with a single.
MSU had three hits and stranded six. Fortunately, Becker made that run stand up.
“Stephanie looked really good,” Stuedeman said. “She utilized the umpire’s strike zone. He called down low on the knees. As a pitching coach, I was always excited when I got those calls. The zone was down there and she kept hitting down around their knees and then got them to chase up high after going down low.”
Becker’s third complete game was her second straight at home. In her last appearance at home, Becker threw her second career no-hitter in a six-inning 8-0 victory against the University of Mississippi. Earlier this season, the senior left-hander shut out Long Island University.
Becker and Owen give MSU (31-16, 7-11 Southeastern Conference) a 1-2 combination that added to its confidence. Last weekend, MSU defeated No. 4 University of Alabama, giving the squad three victories against the nation’s top 12.
“Our team really grew and matured a lot this weekend at Alabama,” Becker said. “We had a great win Friday against one of the best pitchers in the nation (All-American Jackie Traina). We had a tough game Saturday but came back and played well Sunday. We battled hard the whole game, but the scoreboard did not fall our way. We have learned that playing our game allows us to be competitive with anybody in the nation.”
MSU will close the home portion of their conference schedule this weekend when it plays host to the University of South Carolina. The Bulldogs can clinch a berth in the conference tournament by winning the series. The team’s annual senior banquet is slated for Saturday, while Senior Day festivities will be before Sunday’s game.
“It is going to be another emotional weekend for us,” said Becker, who is one of five seniors on the roster. “The last home series was very emotional because it was Ole Miss. This one will be big because it will be the last time for us seniors to play at home. It is going to be a big weekend and we really look forward to playing before our fans and sharing it with them.”
With a Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) of 25, MSU appears poised to make a second straight regional. Two more victories will match last season’s total. However, Stuedeman didn’t crunch numbers Wednesday night. Her postseason analysis was simple.
“A win is a win,” Stuedeman said. “You want to stack as many of them up as you can. The first objective is to make a regional. If you do that, and you win every game the rest of the way, you will be national champions. That really is the goal.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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