Oklahoma City — Mississippi State’s softball season concluded Friday night at the Women’s College World Series after a 4-0 loss to Texas, the reigning national champion.
The Longhorns (48-12) scored all their runs via home runs. Kaiah Altmeyer hit a two-run homer in the second inning, and Kayden Henry added a solo shot in the fifth. Viviana Martinez drove in the final run with an RBI double in the seventh.
Head coach Samantha Ricketts expressed pride in her team despite the loss. “I couldn’t be more proud of this group for what they’ve done for Mississippi State softball and for each other,” she said. “They believed in themselves and set a standard for our program. They put in the work and made history this season.”
Xiane Romero led the Bulldogs’ offense with a career-high three hits, including the program’s first extra-base hit at the series—a double in the first inning. Romero also posted the first multi-hit game in school history at the WCWS. Delainey Everett pitched four innings, allowing just three hits, including the home run.
Other notable performances included Kinley Keller, who extended her reaching-base streak to 11 games, and Paige Ernstes, who made an unassisted double play in the fourth inning. Morgan Stiles, who had an 11-game hitting streak, was held without a hit in this game.
Mississippi State finished the season with a 43-21 record. The team celebrated its historic run to the WCWS, which was the first in program history, and the support from fans and the community throughout the postseason.
The Bulldogs will look to build on this season’s success as they prepare for future campaigns, according to the team’s statements and social media updates.
