Mississippi State Softball Sweeps Opening Weekend in Waco

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The Mississippi State softball team opened their 2026 season with a perfect 4-0 record at a tournament in Waco, Texas, capped off by an 8-1 victory over New Mexico on Saturday. The Bulldogs displayed a complete team effort, with standout performances from leadoff hitter Morgan Stiles, who hit a home run to start the game, and pitcher Alyssa Faircloth, who struck out 14 batters. Mississippi State looked poised and in control throughout the weekend, setting the tone for what could be a promising season ahead.

Why it matters

Mississippi State's dominant opening weekend performance suggests the team is poised to build on their late-season surge from 2025 and emerge as a top contender in the SEC and nationally. The Bulldogs showed the ability to win in different ways - with power, pitching, and timely hitting - which bodes well for their chances of sustaining success throughout the long season.

The details

In the final game of the opening weekend, Mississippi State jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. Leadoff hitter Morgan Stiles set the tone with a leadoff home run, and the Bulldogs tacked on three more runs in the frame. Pitcher Alyssa Faircloth was dominant, striking out 14 batters and allowing just one run. The Bulldogs added runs in the second, fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to cruise to the 8-1 victory.

• The Bulldogs opened their 2026 season on February 6 in Waco, Texas.
• Morgan Stiles hit a leadoff home run to start the game on February 8.

What’s next

The Bulldogs will now return home to Mississippi to open a 12-game homestand, beginning with a matchup against Southern Miss on Tuesday, February 11.