Mississippi State begins season with win against FAU

STARKVILLE – No. 23 Mississippi State opened the 2023 season with a 7-2 victory over Florida Atlantic on Friday night in Boca Raton. The Bulldogs collected eight extra-base hits, highlighted by Chloe Malau’ulu’s three-hit night.

Malau’ulu finished a double shy of the cycle with three RBIs. Madisyn Kennedy and Jackie McKenna both doubled and drove in a run. Paige Cook also collected a pair of hits.

The Bulldogs took the lead in the first inning on a two-run homer from Malau’ulu. Florida Atlantic would tie the game in the bottom of the second, but State answered immediately when Malau’ulu drove an RBI triple off the right field wall.

MSU extended its lead on an RBI double from Kennedy in the fifth and a single from Aquana Brownlee. In the seventh, State tacked on two more in the seventh thanks to doubles from McKenna and Cook and an RBI single from Kiersten Landers.

Aspen Wesley drew the opening Day start and struck out five. Kenley Hawk got the win in relief, allowing just one hit in 2.2 innings while striking out three.

Fast hitters

Dawg’s debut – Four Bulldogs make their MSU debut … Florida State transfer Kiersten Landers starts in right field … freshman Macy Graf comes on as a pinch runner and stays in the game at second base before drawing a walk … senior Kat Wallace pinch runs … freshman Reis Beuerlein threw the final inning, striking out one and allowing no one to reach base.

Madisyn Kennedy – Went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, tying a career high … turned a solo double play to get out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning.

Chloe Malau’ulu – Presented with a captain’s jersey patch pre-game … homered in her first at bat of the year … finished a double shy of the cycle … tied her career-high with three hits.

Jackie McKenna – Doubled, drove in one run.

Have Openers – Mississippi State has now won 10 straight season openers … the Bulldogs are 22-10 all-time in season openers.

Score Summary

Above 1

Kiersten Landers struck out before Chloe Malau’ulu singled home to center field.

No. 23 Mississippi State 2, Florida Atlantic 0

Below 3

With one out, Cammeo Presutti singled off the glove of the diving third baseman. He scored when Jesiana Mora doubled to center field and his throw into the infield eluded the second baseman. That allowed Mora to reach third, and he scored on a single off Sara Berthiaume.

No. 23 Mississippi State 2, Florida Atlantic 2

Above 4 With one out, Brylie St. Clair hit one bunt. He scored two batters later when Malau’ulu tripled to right field.

No. 23 Mississippi State 3, Florida Atlantic 2

Top 5

Matalasi Faapito drew attention, and Macy Graf pinch ran for him. Madisyn Kennedy doubled to score Graf. Saleyna Daniel then pinch ran for Kennedy in the second. After a lineout, Daniel scored one from Aquana Brownlee.

No. 23 Mississippi State 5, Florida Atlantic 2

Above 7 Paige Cook hit a leadoff double and advanced to third on a fly out by Brownlee. Jackie McKenna then doubled up the middle to score Cook. Kat Wallace came in as a pinch runner at second base and scored on Landers’ two-out base hit up the middle.

No. 23 Mississippi State 7, Florida Atlantic 2

On Deck

Action continues in the Paradise Classic on Saturday when the Bulldogs meet Loyola Chicago at 10:30 a.m. CT. MSU will later go head-to-head with Bethune-Cookman at 3:30 p.m