Comeback attempt falls three runs shy for MSU on Friday

It was another comeback attempt by the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the seventh inning of Friday's softball game against the Florida Gators.

Unlike Thursday's 13-12 game one victory by the Bulldogs over the Gators, MSU came up short 8-5 at Nusz Park in the second contest of the series.

The Bulldogs dug an 8-2 hole that they could not get out of this time.

“It's always good to see the fight,” MSU head coach Samantha Ricketts said. “I think there is definitely the belief after we've been able to do it the last couple of weeks, but ultimately we gave away too many at-bats in the middle innings and we kind of need to have that focused approach throughout the whole game. It's a great pitcher and good team.”

After the Bulldogs took a first-inning lead in the game when Ella Wesolowski's two-run single brought home Nadia Barbary and Madisyn Kennedy, Florida answered three innings later on a three-run homer by Jocelyn Erickson.

The Gators kept adding to their lead after that with another homer by Erickson and another long ball by Ava Brown. MSU did not score again until the seventh.

Salen Hawkins singled then Matalasi Faapito and Sierra Sacco walked to load the bases with Bulldogs. Barbary drove in one run with a single, Kennedy had a bases-loaded walk to plate another run and a fielder's choice to Jessie Blaine produced another run batted in.

That was all MSU got and lost the three-run decision.

“We needed to do it a little bit sooner and other than that first inning,” Barbary said.

Barbary had a double and single for two of the six hits for the Bulldogs. Kylee Edwards had a fourth inning double for the only other extra base hit.

MSU used three pitchers in the game with Delainey Everett and Lexi Sosa following starter Josey Marron to the circle.

With the loss, the No. 17 Bulldogs saw their records fall to 25-8 overall and 6-5 in the Southeastern Conference. MSU will try to win the series against No. 10 Florida in today's noon start.

“Toughness Sunday on Saturday,” Ricketts said. “That's going to be the message. We talked after the game that every weekend in this league is going to be a battle and you have to be ready for anyone on any given day and nothing will be handed to you.”