by David Almeda
In the form of a walk-off, extra inning thriller, KSU softball orchestrated a 2-1 upset of SEC powerhouse Mississippi State Tuesday at Bailey Park.
With the game tied at 1-1 in the home half of the eighth, the Owls (11-10) began their game winning rally. Natalie Rhodes lead off the inning with a single before Sara Sikes was hit by a pitch. With runners at first and second, Angie Dascoli executed a sacrifice bunt to move them over. After a Megan Veringa foulout, Courtney Sutter stepped into the batter’s box with a chance to secure the win. With a line drive single to center field, she did just that, scoring Rhodes and handing the Bulldogs just their fifth loss of the year.
The Owls turned to Paige Matthews as their starter for the third consecutive game. She posted another solid outing, allowing only one run over five innings while striking out three. MSU countered with Jacey Punches, and for the first four innings, both hurlers were engaged in a scoreless pitchers’ duel.
That changed in the bottom of the fifth inning, as KSU took advantage of a few MSU miscues to get on the board first. After a Bianca Durant single, a sacrifice bunt from Carly Van Auken moved her into scoring position. After an error allowed Taylor Denton to reach base and move Durant to third, a throwing error by the catcher allowed Durant to score and give the Owls a 1-0 lead.
KSU’s slim advantage wouldn’t last long, however, as the Bulldogs responded quickly with a solo home run to lead off the top of the sixth to tie the score at 1-1. Not to be outdone, the Owls attempted to regain the lead in the bottom half of the inning. KSU was able to get runners at first and third in the frame, but were unable to capitalize.
In relief of Matthews, Amanda Henderson came onto the circle for the Owls in the sixth inning. Before the victory clinching rally in extras that led to her team-leading tenth win of the season, she pitched the final three innings of the game, striking out five Bulldogs while allowing two hits.
Leading KSU’s offense in the game were Rhodes and Sikes, who combined for four hits out of the team’s total of eight.
The Owls will complete their current homestand with a doubleheader against Furman on Wednesday before hitting the road to continue Atlantic Sun Conference play against Northern Kentucky this weekend.
