Ricketts applauds effort of team
Samantha Ricketts and the Mississippi State Bulldogs were perhaps on course to seeing one of the best seasons in the history of the softball program.
The Bulldogs were riding a 14-game winning streak and had already reached 25 wins before the circumstances concerning the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) brought the season to an abrupt end before they could even begin the Southeastern Conference part of the schedule.
“It's definitely unfortunate,” said Ricketts, who was in her first season as MSU'S head coach. “We are sad about the fact that we don't get to finish, but in the bigger picture, we all understand the why about it. With it being so unprecedented at this time, that's really what's been on the forefront of everybody's minds.
“Right now everybody is doing good, All of the families and all the girls are staying safe and are at home for the most part, almost all of them, so can't complain there.”
The Bulldogs were not only producing victories, but certain players were piling up some pretty impressive statistics.
Fa Leilua and Mia Davidson were doing pretty much what was expected in terms of power numbers as they had combined to hit 16 home runs. Leilua had a team-high nine homers and Davidson contributed seven.
Other offensive players were emerging like Jackie Mckenna, Carter Spexarth, Anna Kate Segars and Chloe Malau'ulu.
In the circle, Emily Williams and Annie Willis both sported earned run averages below 1.00. Williams had a 5-0 record, 0.46 ERA and five saves, while Willis had a 9-1 mark, 0.80 ERA and had already pitched a no-hitter.
Willis, Malau'ulu and Madisyn Kennedy all picked up SEC honors earlier this month.
“I was very pleased with the effort from the girls and how quickly they came together in what they were producing on the field,” Ricketts aid. “It was just an all-around great team effort on and off the field with the way they interacted and I'm really proud with what they were able to accomplish in the 28 games that we played.”
The Division II Council Committee ruled earlier this month that its studentathletes for spring sports will be granted an extra year of eligibility.
That's a road Division I may also be headed down, which would mean Ricketts'
team would be back in tact to make another run next season.
“As of right now, the Division I Council Committee and their leadership group has recommended that all athletes, not just seniors, are granted another year of eligibility, but that's all it is right now is just a committee recommendation and no official rulings yet,” Ricketts said. “(MSU Athletic Director) John Cohen and (MSU Director of Compliance) Bracky Brett have done a good job of keeping all of the head coaches informed and it sounds like the NCAA is moving very quickly on making those decisions. There is a lot more that we don't know yet as far as how it's going to work with scholarships and classes.”
That's something that will be worked out in time. For now, the main concern for Ricketts is to make sure how her Bulldogs are coping during this uncertain time.
She has confidence they will be just fine. “They are all elite Division I athletes and know how to take care of themselves,” Ricketts said. “Our biggest message right now is how can we help you take care of all your needs. That includes academics, medical and mental health is a big thing to make sure they have the services they need in a tough situation and they don't have to handle it on their own.”