Mississippi State’s Peja Goold Drafted by Oklahoma City Spark in AUSL

Peja Goold of Mississippi State was selected by the Oklahoma City Spark in Monday night’s AUSL college draft, according to the university’s athletics department. Goold was the fourth pick in the second round and the 10th overall selection.

Goold is the third Bulldog to join the Spark organization, following Chloe Malau’ulu and Fa Leilua, who played in Oklahoma City in 2023. She is the 19th Mississippi State player to be drafted into professional softball, bringing the program’s total to 29 players who have gone pro.

During her time at Mississippi State, Goold developed into a top pitcher nationally. She ranks third in the country with eight shutouts and is among the top 15 in wins (15), hits allowed per seven innings (4.46), and WHIP (0.96). She has a team-leading 2.13 ERA and has thrown a no-hitter alongside five one-hitters this season.

The Stockton, California, native has tied the school record with three shutouts in SEC play and maintains a .177 batting average against, which would rank fourth in school history. Goold also ranks among State’s top 10 in strikeouts per seven innings (8.32).

Goold joins Sierra Sacco and Mia Davidson, who were both selected in December’s expansion draft by the Portland Cascade. Sacco was part of the league champion Talons last summer, while Davidson, who missed this season due to injury, was picked by the Bandits, who reached the league finals.

All three Bulldog players will start the AUSL season on June 9, with teams competing in their home cities for the first time. For more on Mississippi State softball, fans can follow the team on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram by searching “HailStateSB.”

Source: Original Article