Softball Bulldogs sweep doubleheader to remain undefeated

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

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

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.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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 (on3.com)

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.