Mississippi State’s softball team is making history at the Women’s College World Series, which begins Thursday in Oklahoma City. The Bulldogs, with a 38-18 record, advanced from Eugene, Oregon, after sweeping an NCAA regional and defeating top-ranked teams along the way.
State defeated Oregon 4-0 behind a no-hit performance from pitcher Alyssa Faircloth and rallied from a 5-1 deficit to beat Oklahoma 11-9 in the Norman Super Regional. The Bulldogs then shut out the Sooners 6-0 in the decisive third game, marking Oklahoma’s first Super Regional loss since 2015.
The team’s success is notable given its unranked status and SEC record of 9-15. Coach Samantha Ricketts, a former Oklahoma All-American, expressed pride in her team’s accomplishments, especially winning in Norman.
The Bulldogs face Texas Tech in the tournament’s opening game at 11 a.m. Thursday. Texas Tech’s program is bolstered by significant NIL deals and a $1 million contract offered to pitcher NiJaree Canady, a former Stanford standout, by billionaire donors who are alumni of the school.
Canady, who led Stanford to two Women’s College World Series and boasts impressive career stats, signed with Tech after a highly publicized NIL deal financed by Texas oil money. The deal was orchestrated by Tech coach Gerry Glasco and supported by former NFL star Patrick Mahomes.
Texas Tech, which had little softball tradition before Canady’s arrival, reached last year’s championship game and signed her to a $1.2 million contract in hopes of winning the title. Meanwhile, Mississippi State relies on its three strong pitchers and recent improvements to challenge the heavily favored Red Raiders.
Despite the financial disparity, the Bulldogs have demonstrated they can compete with top teams, winning at Oregon and Oklahoma, and playing well against Florida earlier this season. The game promises to be a compelling matchup between underdog grit and high-powered investment.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
