Wesley, Bulldogs ready for season

Aspen Wesley appears to be set to take on the role as the top pitcher on the Mississippi State softball staff, but she won't have to assume the burden all by herself.

With Kenley Hawk, Grace Fagan, Bri Bower and two incoming freshman backing her up in the circle, Wesley knows there will be plenty of support with the Bulldogs.

“I think all of us working together we are going to be pretty good,” Wesley said. “I can't wait to see all seven of us come together because everyone has a different part.

The staff will be put to the test immediately when MSU opens the season at the Paradise Classic this week in Boca Raton, Florida. There will be a total of five games played in a three-day span.

Wesley is the unmistakeable leader of the staff as a member of the team's leadership council.

“I love having a pitcher on that leadership council this year,” MSU head coach Samantha Ricketts said. “Aspen understands what to do in the circle with the ball. I think she is ready for that spotlight and kind of move into into Annie Willis' role to be No. 1. She's got the mentality and the stuff.”

Wesley, who had a 9-9 record with a 2.99 earned run average for the Bulldogs last season, said she has spent some extra time on her own working on the spin with her delivery to make sure her pitches are tighter.

The main thing Wesley wants to do is enter this new role with a positive mental attitude and knows her teammates have backed her up.

“I love being here and I have worked my way up for this,” Wesley said.“if there is a home run and have negative thoughts about myself, it's just one play and my teammates have got me and my defense has me so there is no need to worry.”

Ricketts has had a front row seat for Wesley's improvement and knows how much being at MSU means to her.

“She loves Mississippi State, loves the state of Mississippi and wants to continue to raise this program up,” Ricketts said. “I'm excited to see what she does as well.”