STARKVILLE — Mississippi State gets another shot to win a championship.
After seeing its season-opening softball tournament not go according to plan, the Bulldogs are eager for redemption and a chance to win a title.
That chance comes at 12:30 p.m. today when MSU (10-3) faces Southern Illinois (7-6) in the championship game of the February Freezer at Nusz Park.
“This team feels a lot better now that we have played some games and started putting some things together,” MSU junior Morgan Bell said. “When you start a season, you just need to play some games and get some experience. We have more confidence now.”
MSU reached the title game on the back of two strong pitching performances Saturday — Casady Knudsen threw five innings of three-hit ball in a 5-2 win over Southern Illinois, while Alexis Silkwood won her sixth game of the year with a four-hitter in a 4-1 win over North Florida.
The Bulldogs posted a 3-2 mark in their first home tournament. That was mainly because of a .221 team batting average. After winning three of four in the Puerto Vallarta Collegiate Challenge in Mexico, the Bulldogs came home with a vegence.
Bell, Reggie Harrison and Olivia Golden each homered Friday as MSU opened the tournament by sweeping North Florida (7-5) and Eastern Illinois (4-1).
Regan Green had four hits of shutout pitching against North Florida before being touched for a five-run fifth inning, including a game-tying grand slam.
The Bulldogs came right back with Bell hitting a go-ahead home run.
“Our approach at the plate has been much better,” MSU head coach Vann Stuedeman said. “We have several players with some confidence up there. The other important thing is that players are not letting bad at-bats get to them. You have to come to the plate each time with mental focus and live right there in that moment.”
Silkwood has lived in the moment the whole season for the Bulldogs. After winning four games last seaon, Silkwood already has six wins and three saves. Holly Ward threw a complete game in the win over Eastern Illinois.
“I have a lot of confidence in all of the pitchers on this team,” Silkwood said. “Everybody brings something different to the table.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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