Bulldog Softball Sweeps Opening Weekend in Waco

Mississippi State dominates in season-opening tournament with four wins, no losses

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Mississippi State Bulldogs softball team made a strong opening statement, sweeping all four of their games at the Getterman Classic in Waco, Texas over the weekend. The Bulldogs outscored their opponents 32-6, showcasing a balanced attack with dominant pitching and timely hitting.

Why it matters

This impressive start to the 2026 season has vaulted the Bulldogs up the national rankings and established them as an early contender in the SEC. The team's depth and versatility on display in Waco suggests they could be a force to be reckoned with throughout the year.

The details

Mississippi State opened the weekend with a 10-0 rout of host Baylor, then followed that up with wins over Northwestern State, Wichita State, and New Mexico. The Bulldogs' pitching staff combined for a 1.30 ERA and 32 strikeouts, led by Alyssa Faircloth's 14-strikeout performance against New Mexico. Offensively, Morgan Stiles, Nadia Barbary, and Taylor Troutman each hit multiple home runs to power the Bulldogs' attack.

  • The Bulldogs opened their 2026 season on February 6th in Waco, Texas.
  • They will return home to host Southern Mississippi on Tuesday, February 11th at 4:00 PM.

The players

Alyssa Faircloth

A key member of the Bulldogs' pitching staff, Faircloth threw 11.0 innings over two starts, striking out 21 batters.

Pega Goold

The Bulldogs' starting pitcher in the opening game against Baylor, Goold tossed 5.0 shutout innings with five strikeouts.

Morgan Stiles

A veteran bat in the Bulldogs' lineup, Stiles hit .500 with two home runs and four RBIs over the weekend.

Nadia Barbary

Barbary had a strong opening weekend, batting .400 with two home runs, two doubles, and six RBIs.

Taylor Troutman

Troutman provided power for the Bulldogs, hitting two home runs among her four hits.

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What they’re saying

“I really like the way they set the tone. I thought we were on the attack, aggressive, and we swung within our plan all weekend.”

— Ricketts, Head Coach

What’s next

The Bulldogs will look to continue their strong start when they open an extended home stand on Tuesday, hosting Southern Mississippi at Nusz Park.

The takeaway

Mississippi State's dominant opening weekend performance has established them as an early force in the SEC and a team to watch nationally. Their balanced attack and deep pitching staff suggest the Bulldogs could be a contender for a conference title and deep postseason run in 2026.