Mississippi State softball hits three home runs to sweep at The Snowman

Mississippi State’s softball team extended its perfect start to the season with a pair of wins Saturday at The Snowman tournament in Starkville. The 19th-ranked Bulldogs defeated Rutgers 7-2 and North Texas 3-1, aided by three home runs across the two games, according to the school’s release.

In the opener, MSU rallied behind two home runs from players off the bench. Abby Grace Richardson hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie. Later in the inning, defensive replacement Kalani Sells launched a three-run shot, her first career hit, helping the Bulldogs pull away.

Against North Texas, the Bulldogs overcame an early deficit. Kiarra Sells tied the game with a solo homer in the third inning, and Kinley Keller drove in the go-ahead run in the fourth. Nadia Barbary added a double in the sixth that scored Keller, sealing the victory.

Head coach Samantha Ricketts praised her team’s performance and pitching staff. She highlighted Alyssa Faircloth’s start in Game 1, Peja Goold’s relief effort with eight strikeouts, and Leila Ammon’s complete game with 10 strikeouts in Game 2. Ricketts also noted the team’s maturity at the plate and their ability to adapt in close games.

Kiarra Sells and Kalani Sells contributed offensively, with Kiarra extending her on-base streak to six games and Kalani recording her first career hit with a home run. The Bulldogs remain at home next week to host Memphis on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 4 p.m., with coverage on SEC Network+.

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