Mississippi State Softball Drops Game to Texas A&M in Rainy Conditions

A messy second inning in the rain led to three runs and proved the difference as Mississippi State lost 4-0.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:39pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a softball game in rainy conditions, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.The rainy conditions proved a major obstacle for Mississippi State as they fell to Texas A&M in a key SEC softball matchup.Mississippi State Today

In a game between two top-15 softball teams, No. 14 Mississippi State fell to No. 12 Texas A&M 4-0 on Saturday. The key moment came in the second inning, when the Bulldogs had to pitch through steady rain while the Aggies did not. Mississippi State pitcher Alyssa Faircloth struggled with the wet conditions, walking four batters and hitting two more to allow three runs without a hit. The game was delayed for 30 minutes after the inning, but the damage was already done.

Why it matters

The weather played a significant role in the outcome of this game between two highly ranked SEC softball teams. While coaches and players won't use the rain as an excuse, it's fair to wonder how the inning might have played out in dry conditions. The game highlights the challenges teams can face when having to compete in inclement weather.

The details

Mississippi State pitcher Alyssa Faircloth struggled mightily in the second inning, walking four batters and hitting two more to allow three runs to score without a hit. The Aggies took advantage of the wet conditions that the Bulldogs had to pitch in, while their own batters did not have to deal with the slick ball and questionable footing. The game was delayed for 30 minutes after the inning, but the damage had already been done.

  • The second inning, where the key events occurred, took place in the rain.
  • The game was delayed for 30 minutes after the rainy second inning.

The players

Alyssa Faircloth

The Mississippi State pitcher who struggled in the rainy second inning, walking four batters and hitting two more to allow three runs to score without a hit.

Samantha Ricketts

The head coach of the Mississippi State softball team, who acknowledged the weather played a role but said it couldn't be used as an excuse.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, it's unfortunate. It's unfortunate that we have to pitch in rain and they don't, but, you know, it can't be an excuse.”

— Samantha Ricketts, Mississippi State Head Coach

What’s next

The two teams will meet again on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game series.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the significant impact weather can have on the outcome of a softball matchup, even between two highly ranked teams. While coaches and players may not want to use the rain as an excuse, it's clear the conditions played a major role in Mississippi State's struggles in the second inning.