Mississippi State Dawgs Cajuns In Game One
Mississippi State Softball strolls to a win,9-1, in six innings, over #23 Louisiana Ragin Cajuns from Nasz Park. As we previously discussed this was the first meeting between these programs since 1999. We will analyze what went right, who stood out, and what to expect in game two.
What Went Right?
Runs, Runs, Runs
Mississippi State can score runs in bunches if you are not careful. State would get on the scoreboard fast with three runs in the bottom of the 1st. Bulldog catcher, Ella Wesolowski, would get the team on the board after three straight singles from Nadia Barbay, Paige Cook, and Jesse Blaine Weselowski would be hit by a pitch and walk in barbay to make it 1-0 State. First baseman, Madyson Kennedy, would get the second run of the bottom of the inning across with a sacrifice fly to center to score Blaine to make the score 3-0
The bottom of the second would see two more runs cross the plate for State. Barbaray would continue her stellar performance with her second hit of the night with a double to score second baseman Salem Hawkins. Cook would line out to right field and get the final run of the inning across as centefielder, Sierra Sacco, would score to make the score 5-0 at the end of the second inning.
With one run in the 3rd, by Wesolowski on an error the Bulldogs opened the game up with a 6-1 lead headed to the 4th. In the bottom half, the Bulldogs would score two runs to make the score 7-1 and now in play for a run rule. The run rule would happen after stellar defense and pitching to close the Cajuns out in the top of the 6th. Brylie St Clair would close the door on the Cajuns with a walk-off single to score Wesolowski for the 9-1 win. Louisiana used four of their five pitchers on the roster in game one. This will be a factor in game two.
Dominance On The Mound
Where do we start? Do we start with the 1 run being unarmed? What about the incredible performance from starter Aspen Wesley? Yeah, let us start here. Wesley would shut down the Cajuns from the opening pitch. Her 89 total pitches with 57 being strikes tell the story of a pitcher who trusts the defense behind her to make plays. Allowing only 5 hits and the first walk of the 2024 season for the Bulldogs was a good night on the mound. Not to mention, the Cajuns didn’t record their first hit until the 3rd inning of the game.
To further the point of trusting her defense, there were nine flyouts and four groundouts on the day in 25 batters faced. Wesley would end with four strikeouts and hit two batters while allowing four doubles. Her performance is something this staff has become accustomed to as their pitchers have been Dawging opponents all season.
Who Stood Out?
As we mentioned, Aspen Welsey had a stellar night. Her performance on the mound was sheer perfect at times. If this has truly become a trend for this Bulldogs program the SEC may want to take notes and start taking them now! So far this season we have seen the 24th and 25th no-hitters in program history on back-to-back days and a dominating performance against a top-25 program that has been playing high-level softball.
At the plate, we have to mention the games from Wesololowski and Barbaray. Barbaray would finish three for four from the plate with an RBI and double. The double now makes her 3rd on the season. In addition, Barbaray now has 6 RBIs in 2024. She also leads the team with 20 at-bats on the season.
Wesolowski would also bat three for four but would score twice in today’s game. With her number 1 RBI in game one, it will now bring her total to a team 2nd 7 on the season. Welowoski is batting 400 on the season with one double and one home run in 2024.
What’s Next?
Game two will begin at approximately 6:30 pm. The game will be streamed on ESPN+. Following this game,
