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re: Softball UPDATE- Vann Fired, New Coach Announced
Posted on 5/9/19 at 12:01 am to The Winner
Posted on 5/9/19 at 12:01 am to The Winner
Softball wins 3-2 vs Texas A&M today. Will play Ole Miss on Thursday at 12:30.
Schedule has been modified due to rain. Will probably have more rain delays as well.
Texas A&M has never won a game in the SEC Tournament and Vann has only defeated Texas A&M in the SECT(2-0 vs them, 0-6 vs everyone else).
Thursdays game is big for everyone's future imo.
Schedule has been modified due to rain. Will probably have more rain delays as well.
Texas A&M has never won a game in the SEC Tournament and Vann has only defeated Texas A&M in the SECT(2-0 vs them, 0-6 vs everyone else).
Thursdays game is big for everyone's future imo.
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Posted on 5/9/19 at 5:06 pm to The Winner
Do we make the NCAA's this year? I know our conference record is bad, but the SEC is really strong overall. I'm not much of a softball follower, but this seems like a sport for which we have a limited ceiling.
But, then again, I remember a time in the early to mid 90's when our women's basketball team was by far the worst in the SEC, but now we have a top 10 program. And, we've had the best team in the SEC for the last two seasons.
But, then again, I remember a time in the early to mid 90's when our women's basketball team was by far the worst in the SEC, but now we have a top 10 program. And, we've had the best team in the SEC for the last two seasons.
Posted on 5/9/19 at 6:58 pm to Bankshot
I can tell you this. Arkansas, Ole Miss, and South Carolina were all 3 worse than MSU when Vann took over and they have all surpassed Mississippi State. There maybe a ceiling here, but 12th out of 13th consistently isn't it.
And it's not just the SEC. Her Regional record is abysmal which is teams outside the SEC.
Yes we'll make the NCAAs. But we won't host and have never come close to hosting. We just made our brand new softball stadium 3 years ago and we aren't hosting like Tennis or even soccer has done this year(along with the obvious baseball and women's basketball).
I just don't think finishing 2nd to last in the SEC consistently is the best MSU can do in any sport.
And it's not just the SEC. Her Regional record is abysmal which is teams outside the SEC.
Yes we'll make the NCAAs. But we won't host and have never come close to hosting. We just made our brand new softball stadium 3 years ago and we aren't hosting like Tennis or even soccer has done this year(along with the obvious baseball and women's basketball).
I just don't think finishing 2nd to last in the SEC consistently is the best MSU can do in any sport.
Posted on 5/10/19 at 9:56 am to The Winner
quote:
Arkansas, Ole Miss, and South Carolina were all 3 worse than MSU when Vann took over and they have all surpassed Mississippi State.
I'm not defending the coach on this point at all. We definitely shouldn't be any worse than Arkansas and Ole Miss. I'm just not familiar with Mississippi's softball talent as a state compared to say Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. I know that those states have tremendous softball talent, and travel ball in those states for softball is pretty big.
Posted on 5/11/19 at 5:42 pm to Bankshot
quote:
softball talent as a state compared to say Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. I know that those states have tremendous softball talent, and travel ball in those states for softball is pretty big.
It blows my mind that A&M isn't a regular powerhouse in softball or UT for that matter. They must all be leaving for Oklahoma and other states.
Posted on 5/18/19 at 1:12 pm to Cdawg
Softball beats Seattle 5-3 for a first round win.
Play Washington at 5P this evening. Of course the winner of this game is in the drivers seat.
Go Lady Dawgs!!!!
Play Washington at 5P this evening. Of course the winner of this game is in the drivers seat.
Go Lady Dawgs!!!!
Posted on 5/19/19 at 1:19 pm to Godawgs4
We have to beat Washington twice. And they only have to beat us once. It's a tall task at their stadium but we'll see what happens!
Posted on 5/20/19 at 7:27 am to The Winner
Washington is really good. They showed why they are a #3 seed. Could certainly see them winning it all.
Regional Final for the second year in a row but like women’s basketball, softball drops after the elite programs, the next group (say 15-30) are below the top ten or so.
So where does that leaves us? Competitive but just not good enough to beat the big girls (figuratively not literally). Gotta recruit better to become better than just good.
Good job down the stretch to win some series and right the ship after every thing went side ways mid way through the season.
Regional Final for the second year in a row but like women’s basketball, softball drops after the elite programs, the next group (say 15-30) are below the top ten or so.
So where does that leaves us? Competitive but just not good enough to beat the big girls (figuratively not literally). Gotta recruit better to become better than just good.
Good job down the stretch to win some series and right the ship after every thing went side ways mid way through the season.
Posted on 5/20/19 at 4:19 pm to Godawgs4
I think we really need to focus on finishing in the top half of the SEC so we can host a regional.
I agree Washington is really good and beating them over there is hard. This has to be the first year under Vann where we didn't lose to a non national seed in the Tournament and that is progress since Seattle was a solid but not great team to beat.
She's signed a pitcher out of Neshoba Central that is really good. So that'll help.
But we've got to work on our infielding. ESPN was showing a stat that it was among the worst in the country. That cost us some SEC games this year.
I'm with you Godawgs4. Glad to see someone else watching as well and not just blasting me for following "because it's just softball". I just want to see MSU win in everything!
I agree Washington is really good and beating them over there is hard. This has to be the first year under Vann where we didn't lose to a non national seed in the Tournament and that is progress since Seattle was a solid but not great team to beat.
She's signed a pitcher out of Neshoba Central that is really good. So that'll help.
But we've got to work on our infielding. ESPN was showing a stat that it was among the worst in the country. That cost us some SEC games this year.
I'm with you Godawgs4. Glad to see someone else watching as well and not just blasting me for following "because it's just softball". I just want to see MSU win in everything!
Posted on 7/16/19 at 8:00 pm to The Winner
Bumped because Vann is fired
Posted on 7/18/19 at 8:16 am to The Winner
Cohen must read the Grindrant. 
From what I gather, she was a players coach and the girls really liked her but at the end of the day, results matter. I wonder if they bring in someone or do they promote Ricketts? I think Ricketts is from the OU softball family and might have some good connections for recruiting.
From what I gather, she was a players coach and the girls really liked her but at the end of the day, results matter. I wonder if they bring in someone or do they promote Ricketts? I think Ricketts is from the OU softball family and might have some good connections for recruiting.
Posted on 7/19/19 at 1:07 am to Cdawg
I wouldn't be opposed to Ricketts. I thought she was the best coach on staff.
Just will be interesting to see who they go with. My guess is Cohen will go outside but who knows. He's tended to go with SEC assistants in these sports, but that was the direction we went with Vann and that didn't work so idk if he would continue that path or try something else.
Or maybe Cohen has someone in mind already and we'll hear something quick(but I think that would've been announced by now).
Timing seems odd but my guess is there was a recent meeting about the state of the program and he didn't like the direction it was in after all the transfers including one who just went to Florida.
At the end of the day, she had 8 years, and we weren't any better from year 1 then we were from year 8. Considering the 21-0 Ole Miss loss, the SEC losing streak, and the inability to win a Regional or even be competitive enough to host one in the new softball stadium they built, this isn't a surprise at all and no one is pushing back against this.
Just will be interesting to see who they go with. My guess is Cohen will go outside but who knows. He's tended to go with SEC assistants in these sports, but that was the direction we went with Vann and that didn't work so idk if he would continue that path or try something else.
Or maybe Cohen has someone in mind already and we'll hear something quick(but I think that would've been announced by now).
Timing seems odd but my guess is there was a recent meeting about the state of the program and he didn't like the direction it was in after all the transfers including one who just went to Florida.
At the end of the day, she had 8 years, and we weren't any better from year 1 then we were from year 8. Considering the 21-0 Ole Miss loss, the SEC losing streak, and the inability to win a Regional or even be competitive enough to host one in the new softball stadium they built, this isn't a surprise at all and no one is pushing back against this.
Posted on 7/22/19 at 11:40 am to The Winner
STARKVILLE -- Samantha Ricketts, one of the rising coaching stars in college softball who has directed the most explosive offenses in Mississippi State history, has been named the Bulldogs' sixth head softball coach, Director of Athletics John Cohen announced Monday.
"It became clear during our search that Samantha Ricketts was the right fit to lead Mississippi State softball," Cohen said. "Samantha's vision, national recruiting experience and her ability to teach the game were the biggest factors in our decision. She has been one of the most sought-after rising stars in the nation. Coach Ricketts has the utmost respect from our student-athletes and her peers around the country. With her SEC experience and her time at Oklahoma, she knows what it takes to develop our student-athletes into strong people both on and off the field."
Ricketts served as MSU's assistant coach from 2015-18 focusing on hitting and recruiting before being promoted to associate head coach on July 30, 2018. The San Jose, California, native has been a part of one Women's College World Series appearance, six NCAA Regional berths and two NCAA Super Regional appearances during her coaching career.
"I am honored and thrilled for the opportunity to lead Mississippi State softball," Ricketts said. "I am thankful to (Director of Athletics) John Cohen and (President) Dr. Mark Keenum for believing in me. I take so much pride in this program, and we will work extremely hard and efficiently in elevating Mississippi State softball to our ultimate goals. I am eager to continue to mentor our team, not just as Bulldog student-athletes but as first-class leaders in this community."
"It became clear during our search that Samantha Ricketts was the right fit to lead Mississippi State softball," Cohen said. "Samantha's vision, national recruiting experience and her ability to teach the game were the biggest factors in our decision. She has been one of the most sought-after rising stars in the nation. Coach Ricketts has the utmost respect from our student-athletes and her peers around the country. With her SEC experience and her time at Oklahoma, she knows what it takes to develop our student-athletes into strong people both on and off the field."
Ricketts served as MSU's assistant coach from 2015-18 focusing on hitting and recruiting before being promoted to associate head coach on July 30, 2018. The San Jose, California, native has been a part of one Women's College World Series appearance, six NCAA Regional berths and two NCAA Super Regional appearances during her coaching career.
"I am honored and thrilled for the opportunity to lead Mississippi State softball," Ricketts said. "I am thankful to (Director of Athletics) John Cohen and (President) Dr. Mark Keenum for believing in me. I take so much pride in this program, and we will work extremely hard and efficiently in elevating Mississippi State softball to our ultimate goals. I am eager to continue to mentor our team, not just as Bulldog student-athletes but as first-class leaders in this community."
Posted on 7/22/19 at 12:17 pm to Cdawg
Also confirmed that Cohen reads the Grindrant as he does indeed hire Ricketts.
Posted on 7/22/19 at 12:33 pm to The Winner
My inside softball connections from Oklahoma kind of gave me an insight on that call.
Posted on 7/22/19 at 2:38 pm to Cdawg
Honestly of the available options that would be willing to leave in July. I'm sure she's the best one and this is no doubt an upgrade. Kudos to Cohen for having the balls to make this move and not willing to settle for just mediocre in softball.
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