Softball Bulldogs sweep doubleheader to remain undefeated

Mississippi State dominates Murray State and Rutgers with strong pitching and timely hitting

Feb. 14, 2026 at 5:07am

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The Mississippi State Bulldogs softball team continued their hot start to the season, sweeping a doubleheader against Murray State and Rutgers on Friday. The Bulldogs won the first game 9-1 behind a strong pitching performance from Alyssa Faircloth and timely hitting, including a two-run single from Tatum Silva. In the second game, Peja Goold threw a complete game one-hit shutout as the Bulldogs won 8-0 in a run-rule victory, led by a 4-for-4 day from Morgan Stiles with two RBIs and two doubles.

Why it matters

The Bulldogs' dominant start to the season, now 7-0, shows they have the pitching, hitting, and depth to be a contender in the SEC and potentially make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Their ability to win both games convincingly in a doubleheader is an impressive feat early in the season.

The details

In the first game, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning against Murray State, taking advantage of four straight walks and a double from Morgan Bernardini. They added runs in the third and fourth innings to win 9-1. Faircloth pitched 5 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 2 hits with 9 strikeouts. In the second game against Rutgers, the Bulldogs again got on the board early, scoring a run in the first and second innings. They then broke the game open with a 5-run fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Kiarra Sells and an RBI double from Morgan Stiles. Stiles finished the game 4-for-4 with 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Goold was dominant in the circle, throwing a complete game one-hit shutout.

  • The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial tournament began on Friday, February 14, 2026.
  • The Bulldogs played a doubleheader on Friday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Alyssa Faircloth

The Bulldogs' starting pitcher in the first game, who threw 5 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 2 hits with 9 strikeouts.

Morgan Bernardini

Hit a double in the first inning of the first game to help the Bulldogs jump out to a 5-0 lead.

Tatum Silva

Hit a two-run single in the fourth inning of the first game to extend the Bulldogs' lead to 9-1.

Peja Goold

Threw a complete game one-hit shutout in the second game, leading the Bulldogs to an 8-0 run-rule victory over Rutgers.

Morgan Stiles

Led the Bulldogs' offense in the second game, going 4-for-4 with 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored, including two doubles.

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What they’re saying

“The Bulldogs' hot start to the softball season kept chugging along as The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial began on Friday.”

— Robbie Faulk, Author

What’s next

The Bulldogs (7-0) will look to stay undefeated on Saturday when they host another doubleheader with Rutgers at 12:30 p.m. and North Texas at approximately 3 p.m.

The takeaway

Mississippi State's dominant start to the season, including sweeping a doubleheader against Murray State and Rutgers, shows they have the pitching, hitting, and depth to be a contender in the SEC and potentially make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.