Oxford, Mississippi — Mississippi State’s softball team lost to Ole Miss 3-0 Saturday in the final game of the regular season. The game was decided in the bottom of the seventh inning when Ole Miss pinch-hitter Rachel Connors hit a three-run walk-off homer, breaking a scoreless tie, according to the school.
Alyssa Faircloth started for Mississippi State (37-17, 9-15 SEC) and pitched all seven innings. She struck out seven batters and allowed just one walk, finishing the weekend with 21 strikeouts in 13.1 innings, the school said. Coach Samantha Ricketts praised Faircloth’s performance but said the team needs to generate more offense heading into the postseason.
The Bulldogs managed only three hits in the game, all singles by Des Rivera, Kinley Keller, and Paige Ernstes. Rivera also executed a sacrifice bunt. Taylor Troutman drew two walks, and Kiarra Sells was also on base via a walk.
Mississippi State set a school record with 179 strikeouts in SEC play this season. Faircloth’s seven strikeouts brought her season total to 231, ranking third in school history. She also finished with 57 strikeouts looking, one shy of the program record.
In the bottom of the seventh, Cassie Reasner led off with a single, and an error allowed her to reach second. After a bunt attempt that pulled the shortstop off the bag, Reasner advanced to third. Connors then delivered the game-winning home run, sealing Ole Miss’s victory.
Mississippi State will be the No. 10 seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament, which is hosted by Kentucky in Lexington. The Bulldogs are scheduled to face No. 15 seed Kentucky on Tuesday, according to the school.
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