STARKVILLE – Mississippi State’s pitching staff struck out 13 batters on Tuesday, but the Bulldog offense was held to one hit in a 2-0 loss to North Dakota State.
Matalasi Faapito struck out a career-high 10 batters in 5.2 innings of work. She walked just one, and was perfect her first time through the order.
“I think [Mata] did a really good job mixing her pitches and mixing her speeds,” head coach Samantha Ricketts said. “She didn’t really leave a lot over plate, which is a big credit to her as well. I thought she threw a great game, but I think we need to be a little more disciplined in our approach with a pitcher like that.”
Aspen Wesley came in in relief, and threw the final 1.1 innings without allowing a baserunner. She struck out the side in the seventh, freezing to batters looking.
Madisyn Kennedy provided the Bulldogs’ (18-8) only offense with a one-out double in the third. Riley Hull reached on an error in the second, but was also left stranded.
Samantha Ricketts on the result of today’s game…
“Yeah we talked about it all the time that you have to bring it everyday. It doesn’t matter who your opponent is, and we definitely did not look prepared to play today. I think that showed. Mata [Faapito] started off strong, and then I thought she started to leave a little too much on the plate, especially with what he was giving her on the edges. She’s got to be able to stay focused…
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