Mississippi State Earns Series Win Over South Carolina

Bulldogs rely on clutch offense and composed pitching to hold off Gamecocks 4-3.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:50pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a softball game between Mississippi State and South Carolina, with the players and field broken down into overlapping planes of maroon, white, and garnet colors, capturing the intensity and competitive spirit of the matchup.Mississippi State's series-clinching win over South Carolina showcases the Bulldogs' ability to grind out tight SEC victories.Mississippi State Today

Mississippi State defeated No. 23 South Carolina 4-3 to win the weekend series. The Bulldogs got a solo home run from Paige Ernstes in the second inning and a two-run double from Xiane Romero in the fifth to build a 4-1 lead. South Carolina rallied in the sixth to cut the deficit to one, but a key defensive play at the plate preserved the Bulldogs' lead. Mississippi State's pitching trio of Peja Goold, Leila Ammon, and Alyssa Faircloth held the Gamecocks in check to secure the series victory.

Why it matters

This win gives Mississippi State momentum heading into a key road trip to face No. 3 Florida. The Bulldogs showed their ability to win a tight SEC battle, relying on timely hitting, solid pitching, and composed defense to hold off a late South Carolina comeback attempt.

The details

Mississippi State jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on Paige Ernstes' solo home run in the second inning. South Carolina tied the game with a solo shot in the fourth, but the Bulldogs broke through in the fifth. Anna Carder led off with a double, and a Gamecock error helped move runners into scoring position. Xiane Romero then delivered a two-run double to left-center, and Nadia Barbary's groundout brought home another run to make it 4-1 Mississippi State. South Carolina loaded the bases in the sixth and cut the deficit to 4-3 on a double, but Kalani Sells threw out the tying run at the plate to preserve the lead. Pitchers Peja Goold, Leila Ammon, and Alyssa Faircloth combined to hold the Gamecocks in check and secure the series victory for the Bulldogs.

  • Paige Ernstes hit a solo home run in the second inning to give Mississippi State an early 1-0 lead.
  • South Carolina tied the game 1-1 with a solo home run in the fourth inning.
  • Mississippi State broke through for three runs in the fifth inning to take a 4-1 lead.
  • South Carolina scored two runs in the sixth inning to make it a 4-3 game.
  • Kalani Sells threw out the tying run at the plate in the sixth inning to preserve Mississippi State's lead.

The players

Paige Ernstes

A Mississippi State player who hit a solo home run in the second inning to give the Bulldogs an early lead.

Xiane Romero

A Mississippi State player who hit a two-run double in the fifth inning to give the Bulldogs a 4-1 lead.

Kalani Sells

A Mississippi State player who made a key defensive play by throwing out the tying run at the plate in the sixth inning.

Peja Goold

A Mississippi State pitcher who started the game and returned in the seventh inning to earn the save.

Leila Ammon

A Mississippi State pitcher who earned the win by navigating the fifth and sixth innings.

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What they’re saying

“I took the first two pitches inside. Then, I knew that she was going to try to tunnel in her rise ball along with that to try to make it seem like the same pitch. I was just thinking, 'I'm going to get on top of it and just hit a line drive,' and it went out.”

— Paige Ernstes

“I think that was my first at-bat that I was pretty calm. He called this strike up and in, and I didn't really like that so I kind of just got my foot down early and swung my hardest.”

— Xiane Romero

What’s next

Mississippi State will travel to face No. 3 Florida in a key SEC matchup this weekend.

The takeaway

This series win over a ranked South Carolina team shows that Mississippi State has the offensive firepower, pitching depth, and defensive composure to compete with the top teams in the SEC. The Bulldogs will need to carry this momentum into their upcoming road trip to Florida as they look to solidify their position in the conference standings.