Bulldogs Honor Late Alex Wilcox with Annual Snowman Tournament

by Brian Ogden, Assistant Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – For the second year, Mississippi State's softball program will remember the life and legacy of Alex Wilcox by hosting The Snowman tournament in Starkville this weekend on Feb. 28 – March 1.
 
Wilcox was a member of the 2018 team who inspired the nation with her courageous fight against ovarian cancer. That fight ultimately took her life in the summer of 2018. The Bulldogs are continuing their #NoOneFightsAlone campaign in 2020, wearing teal uniforms during midweek games and on Friday to raise awareness for the disease.
 
"Playing that tournament this weekend is going to be more of a celebration," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "We want to make sure we continue to remember her. I've talked with her parents and grandparents, and they're going to try and make it out for at least one day. With some of her former teammates at UAB and some other opponents coming in, we want to make sure we do a good job of continuing to remember in Alex's honor, but also celebrate her life and everything she stood for."
 
UAB, Alcorn State and UT Martin will be in Starkville for the round robin tournament that will see each team play five games. State is set to meet UAB and Alcorn State twice with one game against UT Martin, but the Skyhawks will remain in town for a midweek game on Tuesday.
 
Shut Them Down: Emily Williams has been dominant in the circle as a reliever this year. She boasts a 0.90 ERA and leads the nation with four saves. She averages 12.0 strikeouts per seven innings, which ranks eighth nationally.
 
Light It Up: MSU has sent eight batters or more to the plate in six innings this year and scored five or more runs in one inning six times. The Bulldogs celebrate five-run innings with a toy lightsaber.
 
Bulldogs in The Circle: First-year assistant coach Josh Johnson has transformed State's pitching staff in his short time on the job. Johnson's staff is currently second in the SEC with a 1.57 ERA and third with a .181 opponent's batting average. Last season, MSU finished with a 3.36 ERA that ranked second-to-last in the league. Most notably, after finishing last in the league with 130 walks in 2019, the Bulldogs are currently tied for third after walking just 34 batters thus far.
 
Wilcox's Alcorn State Connections: Wilcox's final career at-bat came on April 18, 2018 against Alcorn State. That day, head coach Josef Rankin said, "Putting softball aside, the most significant thing that happened to us tonight was we were on the same field as Alex Wilcox. That's the opportunity we are proud of. She's an awesome young lady who is pushing us all to appreciate the opportunities we have, and quite frankly, learn how to deal with whatever life throws at us and keep pressing. She's amazing, and Alcorn softball will continue to stand with her in her fight."
Wilcox's UAB Connections: The Blazers' Jenna Olszewski and Macey Petrey along with head coach Jimmy Kolaitis are all connected to Wilcox in some way. Olszewski threw out the first pitch at the Blazers' teal game last year against MSU, and Petrey played with her at State. Kolaitis recruited Wilcox while he was at South Alabama and Oregon.
 
Friday, Feb. 28
UT Martin vs. Alcorn State – 2 p.m.
UAB vs. Alcorn State– 4:30 p.m.
UAB at Mississippi State – 7 p.m.
 
Saturday, Feb. 29
Alcorn State vs. UT Martin – 10 a.m.
UT Martin vs. UAB – 12:30 p.m.
UAB at Mississippi State – 3 p.m.
Alcorn State at Mississippi State – 5:30 p.m.
 
Sunday, Feb. 16
UAB vs. UT Martin – 10 a.m.
Alcorn State at Mississippi State – 12:30 p.m.
UT Martin at Mississippi State – 3 p.m.
 
UAB (8-7, 0-0 C-USA)
Head Coach: Jimmy Kolaitis (27-38 at UAB, Second year)
Batting Average: .277; Run/Game: 4.9; Hits/Game: 8.1, Slugging Pct.: .423
ERA: 2.65; K/7: 5.0; K/BB Ratio: 2.5; Opp. Batting Average: .258
 
Alcorn State (5-14, 0-0 SWAC)
Head Coach: Josef Rankin (67-132 at ACRN, Fifth year)
Batting Average: .276; Run/Game: 4.8; Hits/Game: 6.9, Slugging Pct.: .342
ERA: 5.32; K/7: 5.9; K/BB Ratio: 3.6; Opp. Batting Average: .295
 
UT Martin (9-7, 0-0 OVC)
Head Coach: Brian Dunn (9-7 at UTM, First year)
Batting Average: .275; Run/Game: 4.7; Hits/Game: 6.8, Slugging Pct.: .366
ERA: 2.35; K/7: 5.4; K/BB Ratio: 2.6; Opp. Batting Average: .213
 
Feb. 28 – UAB at Mississippi State – 7 p.m.
Feb. 29 – UAB at Mississippi State – 3 p.m.
Feb. 29 – Alcorn State at Mississippi State – 5:30 p.m.
March 1 – Alcorn State at Mississippi State – 12:30 p.m.
March 1 – UT Martin at Mississippi State – 3 p.m.
 
Feb. 28 – UT Martin at Alcorn State
Feb. 28 – UAB at Alcorn State
Feb. 28 – UAB at Mississippi State
Feb. 29 – Alcorn State at UT Martin
Feb. 29 – UT Martin at UAB
Feb. 29 – UAB at Mississippi State
Feb. 29 – Alcorn State at Mississippi State
March 1 – UAB at UT Martin
March 1 – Alcorn State at Mississippi State
March 1 – UT Martin at Mississippi State
 
Admission to all MSU softball home games is free.
 
This weekend features trivia at each MSU game of the tournament. Each individual trivia game winner will be entered to win a grand prize at the end of the season, with more wins earning contestants more entries. The Snowman's trivia will focus on various TV shows throughout the weekend.
 
On Friday when the Bulldogs wear teal, MSU will also give away teal ribbon lapel pins to fans in attendance. The Deck will offer free hot chocolate on Saturday. On Sunday, fans on The Deck will receive free hot chocolate.
 
Feb. 28 – Sunny, High of 55, Low of 35
Feb. 15 – Sunny, High of 57, Low of 39
Feb. 16 – Partly cloudy, High of 64, Low of 51
 
The Bulldogs are in the midst of a 12-game homestand. The sixth game of that stretch comes on Tuesday when UT Martin remains in town for a midweek contest. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. CT.
 
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."