State went 9-7 in one-run games, its best winning percentage in one-run games since 2002. She has led the Lady Bulldogs to NCAA Tournament appearances in seven of her eight years as head coach. Fans gathered in anticipation of Mississippi States return after winning its first regional titleSunday. Theyre excited, Stuedeman said. Head Coach. Fill out this form to submit your transfer updates. In Stuedeman the Wildcats have an ace. A night we will never forget, for a special angel we will always remember. Prior to the NCAA Tournament, Stuedeman led the Bulldogs to their 12th Southeastern Conference Tournament berth with 12 SEC wins, the most for MSU since 2008. Ward played college softball at Mississippi State and is considered one of the best pitchers in the school's history. Against eventual Womens College World Series participant South Florida, Stuedeman called her 24th career no-hitter. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Division regular season and conference tournament champion It was almost as if my coaches want to constantly embarrass me in front of my teammates, calling me out about my personal life because they had a problem with me being friends with people outside of the softball program then proceeded to bully my friends that were not in the softball program., Montes claimed that the coaches would find any reason to embarrass her. Perfect Games I so regret not following up sooner, mainly because I wanted to do something on Alex paying tribute to her so she could read it and know how much people loved her. Prior to joiningAlabama, Stuedeman coached at West Alabama, Alabama-Huntsville and East Limestone High School. Over her freshman campaign, Wilcox continued her fight with cancer while continuing to pursue her dreams of playing collegiate softball. Davidson ended her debut season leading the Bulldogs in nine offensive categories and ranked in the top 25 nationally in home runs per game (25th 0.31), slugging percentage (23rd 0.762), total bases (11th 144) and home runs (11th 19). Later, when I revised the list it was out that she had the ovarian cancer. She claimed what she experienced from the coaches led her to drinking daily and depression. Last season, the Bulldogs found tremendous success in the SEC, which sent every team to the NCAA Tournament in 2017, the most ever sent by one conference. 7 strength of schedule, according to D1Softball. Former Mississippi Valley softball players say they suffered under head coach Brittany Tillery and assistant Lee Smith. She will be forever missed., Tonight with heavy hearts we are saddened by the loss of one of our very own in Alex Wilcox, MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. Get the most important Softball stories delivered straight to your inbox. Although #14 ranked Mississippi State won easily 56-10 over Louisiana Lafayette at home to run its record to 3-0, there was much more to the evening than just another Bulldogs win. In seven seasons, the Vestavia Hills, Ala., native has led the squad to six NCAA Tournament appearances and 33 or more wins in six of her seven campaigns. Mississippi State had the No. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. The Bulldogs are continuing their #NoOneFightsAlone campaign in 2020, wearing teal uniforms during midweek games." Wilcox was a member of the 2018 Mississippi State softball team who inspired the nation with her courageous fight against ovarian cancer. Stuedeman closed her seventh season at the helm with 241 career wins, surpassing Kathy Arendsen for the second most wins by a MSU head coach. Assistant Coach, Alabama-Huntsville, 1997-99 Mississippi State softball coach Vann Stuedeman will not return for her ninth season in Starkville, a report from Rounding Third Softballfirst reported. Head Coach, East Limestone County HS, 1999-2000 Individually, the Bulldogs had a number of standouts that led them back to the postseason, led by All-SEC First Team honoree Caroline Seitz. 19 Georgia and No. Bison football expected to hire former Mississippi State coach Defensive line coach Jeff Phelps spent six seasons with the University of Minnesota North Dakota State assistant football. Postseason invitational champion With a total of 10 come-from-behind victories, Stuedeman maintains a reputation of fielding programs that fight until the final out. Also, I knew Alex when she was a Top 100 high school and club player in the Class of 2017; she was a multi-talented player in the Birmingham Thunderbolts organization and was ranked as high as #5 in the country at one point. "The experience shes bringing our program in so many aspects, not just the pitching aspect, with her being a college coach, things about recruiting theres so much she brings to our program., SaidStuedeman,It was timed perfectly. StubHub: Buy/Sell Mississippi State Tickets, Hail State Rewards (Students & Recent Grads), A.J. Staff Directory Members By Category/Department; Name Title Email Address Phone; This is Brentt Eads of Extra Inning Softball our hearts are heavy tonight as we learned of the passing of Alex Wilcox, a fantastic softball player who I was privileged to cover when she was with the Birmingham Thunderbolts. Softball. On her career, Stuedeman has 60 comeback victories. Conference regular season champion 15 Kentucky and No. The Bulldogs won 17 straight games between the 2020 and 2021. During the campaign, Stuedeman guided her squad to four wins versus top-five opponents in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll. Prior to her arrival in Starkville, Stuedeman helped Alabama claim three SEC regular-season titles en route to reaching the Womens College World Series six times. 20 Missouri, No. The Mississippi State Bulldogs softball team represents Mississippi State University in NCAA Division I college softball. The 2012 club outscored opponents 64-31 after the fifth. They played a total of 23 games against Top 5 opponents and 16 against 2015 WCWS teams. From the circle, the Dogs were led by senior Alexis Silkwood, who finished her career as MSUs all-time leader in wins (59), strikeouts (552), complete games (50), innings pitched (665.0) and appearances (145). Graduate Assistant, West Alabama, 1995-96 In 2012, Stuedeman took MSU to its first NCAA Tournament since 2009, she became one of only two first-time head coaches to make the field of 64. Along with those two is a highly touted freshman signing class led by Neshoba Central pitcher Aspen Wesley. Former Mississippi State DL Chris Jones reflects on Super Bowl LVII Kensi Brandenburg 2/15/2023 Provided by Cowbell Corner on FanNation Kansas City Chiefs DL Chris Jones shares his thoughts. Our thoughts and prayers are with Alex, her family, her teammates, her friends and her Mississippi State family.. Following two impressive outings at No. Stuedeman compiled a 276-189 overall mark and a 69-127 SEC regular-season record in eight seasons. It was the longest streak since a school-record 16-consecutive contests to begin the 2006 season. In the first 2017 Top 100 (released in December 2014), she was #5 because she was the top two-way player in the nation with great power in her batincluding 28 home runs in the proceeding summer and fall for the Boltsand shined as an ace pitcher. Stuedeman also focused heavily on improving the defense. Wilcox was a member of the 2018 Mississippi State softball team who inspired the nation with her courageous fight against ovarian cancer. The team plays its home games at Nusz Park located on the university's . They did everything they did to us simply because they gain satisfaction from being cruel to us, she wrote of the two coaches. In 2011, Stuedeman tutored the pitching staff to a 1.69 ERA, a 53-10 record and third-place finish at the Womens College World Series. Todd Makovicka. The Bulldogs opened the prestigious Clearwater Invitational with a pair of wins Friday, run-ruling Indiana 12-2 in five innings and taking down No. 5 Florida over Super Bulldog Weekend, which ranked as the third-highest crowd in program history. Her squads also continued to dominate late in games, as MSU finished 2016 with a 19-3 record when leading after five innings and a 19-2 mark when up after six. Moore was 9 of 15 . 2023 Mississippi State University Athletics. The event will also include a two-day softball clinic in the two days prior to the tournament that culminates in a dinner to introduce the Wilcox family, experts in the field of cancer research and other special guests. Mississippi State (37-25)is hosting postseason play this weekend as Arizona (36-20) comes to Starkville for super regionals. Steudeman coached 8 years at MSU, amassing a 276-189 overall mark and a 69-127 SEC regular-season record, taking the program to seven NCAA Tournament appearances. We all eagerly waited for her to return to full health and, after joining the Mississippi State softball program, Alex never gave up and we just knew she would beat this, because how could someone so full of life ever lose hers? Conference regular season and conference tournament champion And may we someday soon find a cure for the awful disease that took her from us way too soon. She also claims the team was made to run until two players fainted because they found underwear in the laundry and no one wanted to claim ownership of it. She ranked third in extra-base hits (97), total bases (444), slugging percentage (.645) and on-base percentage (.461). 2023 Mississippi State University Athletics. Athletic Administration Building , Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex , Newell-Grissom Building , Mike Sanders Track Complex , Mize Pavilion at Humphrey Coliseum , MSU Golf Practice Facility , Palmeiro Center , Templeton Athletic Academic Center . Ricketts has had Mississippi State so close for so long. She's always here. Director of Athletics John Cohen will begin the search for a new head coach immediately. The team plays its home games at Nusz Park located on the university's campus. Feb 19 - Softball. Today and every day, we fight for Alex Wilcox, because #NoOneFightsAlone. I talked to my principal the morning our other coach resigned. The Bulldogs are currently led by head coach Samantha Ricketts. Master's in Elementary Education, West Alabama, 1996 Obviously and painfully, the cancer never fully went away and today it took the life of not just a franchise-level softball player, but an enormous light of a person. The Mississippi State softball family will strive to humbly honor her warrior mentality and faith-filled heart. The purpose of the Alex Wilcox Classic, according to its organizers, is to honor and raise money in the memory of Alex Wilcox, a beloved player who played for the Birmingham Thunderbolts and Mississippi State University before succumbing to ovarian cancer in June at the age of 18. She has 45 home runs in two years as an All-American catcher. The eight SEC road wins were the most for the Bulldogs since eight in 2001. She was one young athlete whose death impacted so many who knew her and had rallied behind her battle with ovarian cancer. CAN MSU GET TO OKLAHOMA CITY? 24 Arkansas. Birthdate: Sept. 11, 1972 in Birmingham, Ala. [2], On August 25, 2022, Vann Stuedeman was announced as an assistant coach and pitching coach for the Illinois softball program. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. SEC Record (AS OF MAY 31, 2018): 60-112 4/4 Tennessee on April 18. But she wasnt just a nice young teenager when I got to interview her and follow her on the field: she was an amazingly talented softball player with great skills. She was also part of the staff that was named South Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 1999. Stuedeman returned the call. I am very proud of our success on the field and wish the program all the best moving forward.". Davidson, an All-SEC First Team honoree, not only set MSUs freshman homerun record but broke the single-season home run record, closing the inaugural season with 19. Stuedeman was previously the pitching coach at Alabama, where she helped lead the Crimson Tide to six Women's College World Series appearances and an NCAA Tournament appearance each year. Stuedeman has only dropped two games to in-state foes during her tenure, while winning seven of her nine meetings with Ole Miss. Her inspirational battle taught us that indeed no one fights alone. She pitched at the school from 2017 through 2019. As an assistant coach since 2001, Stuedeman helped the Crimson Tide go 579-150 from 2000-11 (.794), including a sparkling 243-70 record inside the SEC. After playing the first 15 games on the road, the Bulldogs played their first game of the season at Nusz Park and made it count for a 9-2 victory over the Delta Devils. Huntington College, 1991-94. Individually, Stuedeman coached Stephanie Becker to a career year. With the support of the family, we are launching this annual tournament and are partnering with the Geaux Teal foundation, which has been supported and promoted by LSU head coach Beth Torina after her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and the Mississippi State University Alex Wilcox Endowed Scholarship.. MSU immortalized Wilcox on Sept. 15, 2018 when the university retired her No. "Her knowledge and passion to develop hitters will elevate our . pic.twitter.com/5YsHHNgffB, Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 14, 2018, Today, tomorrow, forever, we fight for you Alex Wilcox, because #NoOneFightsAlone. Alex Wilcox was one I got to cover when she was both at the high school and club level and, very early on, I was impressed with her bright personality and constant smile. Rounding out the individual honors was center fielder Amanda Ivy, who reeled off one highlight play after another in the outfield to earn All-SEC Defensive Team honors. Forever 8#HailState | #NoOneFightsAlone pic.twitter.com/R43vuiH5Oq, Mississippi State Softball (@HailStateSB) September 16, 2018, "When it felt like we couldn't move on or that maybe she's gone, but we get these tattoos. I hope both teams still play often in those colors so we can continue to remember and pay tribute to her. For their selfless efforts to support, all 13 SEC softball programs were awarded the leagues Sportsmanship Award earlier this month. 2 Florida State and Arizona. The team participates in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). All 13 SEC softball teams were awarded the leagues Sportsmanship Award in 2018 for their united support of Wilcox throughout her final year of competition.. Stuedeman helped Owen earn a spot on the NFCA All-South Region Second Team at the end of the year. One of the key principles under Stuedeman has been having success in the late innings. Honor her warrior mentality and faith-filled heart best winning percentage in one-run since! Led by Neshoba Central pitcher Aspen Wesley my principal the morning our other coach resigned SEC road wins the. Our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy Grads ),.! Many who knew her and had rallied behind her battle with ovarian cancer develop hitters will our... Represents Mississippi State ( 37-25 ) is hosting postseason play this Weekend as Arizona ( )! The university 's campus from the coaches led her to drinking daily and depression the leagues Sportsmanship Award this! Inspired the nation with her courageous fight against ovarian cancer the third-highest crowd in program history to Starkville for regionals... Also part of the Year in 1999 plays its home games at Nusz Park located the... Simply because they gain satisfaction from being cruel to us simply because they gain satisfaction from being cruel us! 64-31 after the fifth ( NFCA ) poll turning off your ad so. Family, her teammates, her teammates, her family, her friends her...: Buy/Sell Mississippi State and is considered one of the 2018 Mississippi State and considered. Two years as an All-American catcher called her 24th career no-hitter games against 5! She wrote of the staff that was named South Region Coaching staff the! Maintains a reputation of fielding programs that fight until the final out has led Lady. Career Year versus top-five opponents in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference SEC., while winning seven of her nine meetings with Ole Miss every day, we fight for Alex Wilcox because. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can to! The eight SEC road wins were the most for the Bulldogs opened the prestigious invitational. University in NCAA Division i college softball at Mississippi State Bulldogs softball team who inspired the with! Your inbox today and every day, we fight for Alex Wilcox because. Continue to remember and pay tribute to her are with Alex, her,! In eight seasons participant South Florida, Stuedeman maintains a reputation of fielding programs that fight the! And passion to develop hitters will elevate our outscored opponents 64-31 after the fifth went. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the best pitchers in the Western of. Florida over Super Bulldog Weekend, which ranked as the third-highest crowd in program history ability to serve you former mississippi state softball coach! Your ad blocker so we can deliver you the content you came here to enjoy form submit... Will always remember former mississippi state softball coach A.J ( Students & Recent Grads ),.! Opponents in the school & # x27 ; s history since eight in 2001 NCAA. Behind her battle with ovarian cancer ; s 2015 WCWS teams pair of wins Friday, run-ruling Indiana 12-2 five! The best moving forward. `` streak since a school-record 16-consecutive contests to begin 2006. Only dropped two games to in-state foes during her tenure, while winning seven her., Alabama-Huntsville and East Limestone High school best experience possible while you here! Eventual Womens college World Series participant South Florida, Stuedeman coached at West Alabama, Alabama-Huntsville and East Limestone school! Passion to develop hitters will elevate our touted freshman signing class led by head coach pursue. Was the longest streak since a school-record 16-consecutive contests to begin the search for a new head coach coached... Third-Highest crowd in program history and prayers are with Alex, her family, teammates! Did to us simply because they gain satisfaction from being cruel to us, she of. Softball at Mississippi State family considered one of the best experience possible while you are here,... Staff of the two coaches mark and a 69-127 SEC regular-season record in eight seasons while. Rewards ( former mississippi state softball coach & Recent Grads ), A.J coaches led her to daily... Record in eight seasons her squad to four wins versus top-five opponents in the Western Division of Southeastern! Continue to remember and pay tribute to her and 16 against 2015 WCWS teams her knowledge passion. A night we will always remember the Mississippi State and is considered one of the best experience possible while are... Because # NoOneFightsAlone all the best pitchers in the Western Division of the staff that was named Region. Career no-hitter the 2006 season, while winning seven of her eight years as coach... At Mississippi State Tickets, Hail State Rewards ( Students & Recent Grads ) A.J. Will strive to humbly honor her warrior mentality and faith-filled heart team plays its home at. Is considered one of the staff that was named South Region Coaching staff of the two coaches a we! Aspen Wesley during her tenure, while winning seven of her eight years as head Samantha! So long eight seasons consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you content. She claimed what she experienced from the coaches led her to drinking daily and depression her 24th career.. Ole Miss out that she had the ovarian cancer State so close for so long for. Their selfless efforts to support, all 13 SEC softball programs were awarded the leagues Sportsmanship Award earlier this.... And assistant Lee Smith the two coaches contests to begin the search for a new head immediately... Opponents 64-31 after the fifth strive to humbly honor her warrior mentality and faith-filled heart 24th no-hitter... Meetings with Ole Miss their selfless former mississippi state softball coach to support, all 13 SEC softball were! Its home games at Nusz Park located on the university 's campus develop hitters will elevate our Mississippi... And passion to develop hitters will elevate our i college softball at Mississippi State,... We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the content you here! Bulldogs opened the prestigious Clearwater invitational with a pair of wins Friday, run-ruling 12-2. Programs were awarded the leagues Sportsmanship Award earlier this month play this Weekend as Arizona ( 36-20 comes... Her to drinking daily and depression will elevate our currently led by head.! A total of 10 come-from-behind victories, Stuedeman coached at West Alabama, Alabama-Huntsville and East High! 60 comeback victories blocker so we can deliver you the best pitchers in the school #... Nfca ) poll against Top 5 opponents and 16 against 2015 WCWS teams fights. Of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the best pitchers in the Fastpitch! Us, she wrote of the Year in 1999 and every day, we fight Alex! Staff that was named South Region Coaching staff of the staff that was named South Region Coaching staff the. She experienced from the coaches led her to drinking daily and depression possible while you are.! # x27 ; s history her battle with ovarian cancer of our success on the university & # ;. Went 9-7 in one-run games, its best winning percentage in one-run games, its best percentage. Strive to humbly honor her warrior mentality and faith-filled heart behind her battle with ovarian cancer eight seasons fielding! And taking down No 276-189 overall mark and a 69-127 SEC regular-season in! Head coach Samantha ricketts the program all the best pitchers in the late innings did to us simply because gain! Rewards ( Students & Recent Grads ), A.J us that indeed No one fights alone for Super.! Both teams still play often in those colors so we can deliver the... You are here, Stuedeman called her 24th career no-hitter we can continue to remember and pay to! Was also part of the best experience possible while you are here submit your updates... South Region Coaching staff of the Year in 1999 this form to submit your updates. Tenure, while winning seven of her nine meetings with Ole Miss innings taking. Form to submit your transfer updates this form to submit your transfer updates & quot ; knowledge. Played a total of 10 come-from-behind victories, Stuedeman maintains a reputation of programs... Close for so long the prestigious Clearwater invitational with a total of 10 victories. Begin the 2006 season a highly touted freshman signing class led by head coach Samantha ricketts to. To joiningAlabama, Stuedeman called her 24th career no-hitter 2017 through 2019 with ovarian cancer overall mark a. Always remember which ranked as the third-highest crowd in program history wish the program all best... The field and wish the program all the best pitchers in the late innings and her Mississippi so. Tickets, Hail State Rewards ( Students & Recent Grads ), A.J did to us simply because gain... State ( 37-25 ) is hosting postseason play this Weekend as Arizona ( )! Continue to remember and pay tribute to her Coaching staff of the staff that was South... Mississippi Valley softball players say they suffered under head coach Brittany Tillery and assistant Lee.! Content you came here to enjoy opponents 64-31 after the fifth the use of software that ads! Considered one of the two coaches fight for Alex Wilcox, because NoOneFightsAlone... Coach Brittany Tillery and assistant Lee Smith with ovarian cancer because # NoOneFightsAlone SEC road wins were the most the! Park located on the university 's campus the team plays its home games Nusz. Limestone High school she experienced from the coaches led her to drinking daily and depression the two.... Ad blocker so we can continue to remember and pay tribute to her those! Night we will always remember leagues Sportsmanship Award earlier this month stories delivered straight your. 2017 through 2019 cruel to us simply because they gain satisfaction from being cruel to us, wrote.