Mississippi State Softball Hosts Top-Ranked Pitchers at Bulldog Invitational

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State softball hosts the Bulldog Invitational this weekend, showcasing some of the top pitching duels in the country. The event features No. 14 Mississippi State, Belmont, Samford, and Delaware State for nine games over three days.

Mississippi State (11-0) is off to its best start since 2008 and could tie its program record with a win this weekend. The Bulldogs lead the nation in team earned run average at 0.65, with pitchers Peja Goold, Leila Ammon and Alyssa Faircloth among the top 10 nationally in various metrics. MSU also ranks second in strikeouts per seven innings at 9.66 and has 98 total strikeouts so far.

Belmont, ranked second nationally in strikeouts per seven innings at 10.68, will challenge the Bulldogs in the opening game. The Bruins bring Maya Johnson, the national leader in strikeouts per seven innings, to the circle. Mississippi State and Belmont have met once before, with the Bulldogs winning 8-0 in 2022.

MSU’s upcoming opponents include Samford, which has a 4-7 record, and Delaware State, which is 1-2. The Bulldogs will play Samford twice, including Friday at 3 p.m., and face Delaware State on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. All games will be streamed on SEC Network+ with live stats provided.

Mississippi State’s strong pitching and offensive production have contributed to its undefeated record. The team has scored five or more runs in all but one game and homered in most contests, with nine players already hitting home runs this season. The Bulldogs also rank 14th in the latest NFCA Coaches’ Poll, their highest ever ranking in that poll.

Following the invitational, MSU will travel to Georgia Tech and Clemson for additional non-conference games. Fans can follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram under the handle “HailStateSB.”

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