STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State pitcher Peja Goold has been named a Second Team All-American by Softball America, the publication announced Tuesday. The senior from Stockton, California, played a key role in the Bulldogs’ successful season, helping the team reach its second Super Regional in program history.
Goold’s performance from the circle has earned her the 33rd All-American honor in Mississippi State history and the 11th individual to achieve that status. She is the first Bulldog pitcher to be named an All-American since Kellie Wilkerson, who received seven selections from 1999 to 2002.
Entering this weekend’s Norman Super Regional, Goold holds a 2.12 earned run average over 148.1 innings pitched. She has struck out 178 batters and opponents are batting .177 against her. Her totals rank among Southeastern Conference leaders, including leading the league and ranking fourth nationally with eight shutouts. She also ranks in the top five in the SEC for strikeouts, WHIP, opponent batting average, innings pitched and complete games.
Goold’s season has been highlighted by her first career no-hitter and five one-hitters. In her first year at Starkville, she cracked the all-time MSU top-10 list for career shutouts and ranks in the top 10 in school history for strikeouts per seven innings and total strikeouts.
In addition to her All-American recognition, Goold was named SEC Newcomer of the Year by USA Today Sports and earned a first-team All-Region selection from the NFCA. She was also drafted by the Oklahoma City Spark in the AUSL College Draft, becoming the 19th Bulldog in program history to play professional softball. She was the second-round, 10th overall pick.
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