Unseeded Bulldogs Punch First Ticket To Women’s College World Series

NORMAN, Okla. – No. 20 Mississippi State did what many thought was impossible, downing No. 2 Oklahoma on the road, 6-0, to reach the program’s first Women’s College World Series. 

The historic win saw the Bulldogs snap the Sooners’ run of five straight trips to Oklahoma City and became the first team to shut out OU (52-10) since Alabama did so in the 2019 World Series – a 399-game streak. 

Delainey Everett pitched a gem. She went 7.0 innings, allowing just three hits. The junior left hander struck out three in the longest outing of her career. 

State (43-19) got on the board early as Kinley Keller drove in three runs in the first three innings. From there it was MSU’s turn to launch some long balls. Paige Ernstes led off the fourth with a solo homer, and Morgan Bernardini hit a two-run shot in the fifth.

Quick Hitters

OKC Bound – The Bulldogs clinched their first trip to the Women’s College World Series … in doing so, the Bulldogs ended Oklahoma’s run of five consecutive trips to Oklahoma City and became the first team to beat the Sooners twice this season … Samantha Ricketts is the only former Sooner-turned-head coach to defeat her mentor Patty.

Morgan Bernardini – Hit a two-run homer for her sixth NCAA Tournament hit of 2026 … four of those have been for extra bases … leads MSU with a .426 (6-for-15) average in the tournament this year … 4-for-7 in the Super Regional with four RBIs.

Delainey Everett – Threw a career-high 7.0 innings without allowing a run … struck out three … first MSU pitcher to shut out a top-five team in the postseason since Aspen Wesley did so against then-No. 2 Florida State in the 2022 Tallahassee Regional … held Oklahoma to its lowest hit total since March 28 at LSU (next would 4 hits, three times).

Paige Ernstes – Hit her fourth home run of the season and her first career NCAA Tournament homer.

Kinley Keller – Went 2-for-2 today … has reached base in every game of the 2026 postseason … extended her career-long reached-base streak to nine games … drove in the game’s first three runs for a new career high.

Xiane Romero – Doubled and scored in the first.

Morgan Stiles – Added to her MSU NCAA Tournament career record with her 15th and 16th hits … boasts a career .457 (16-for-35) average in the NCAA Tournament … has a hit in all 10 NCAA Tournament games she’s played in her career.

Scoring Recap

Top 1

Nadia Barbary drew a one-out walk before Xiane Romero doubled to right field. Both runners scored on Kinley Keller’s single to right-center.

No. 20 Mississippi State 2, No. 2 Oklahoma 0

Top 3

Morgan Stiles led off with a single through the left side. She moved to second on a passed ball and advanced to third on Romero’s fly out to center. Keller drove in Stiles by beating out an infield single to the shortstop in the five-six hole.

No. 20 Mississippi State 3, No. 2 Oklahoma 0

Top 4 

Paige Ernstes hit the first pitch of the inning over the left field wall.

No. 20 Mississippi State 4, No. 2 Oklahoma 0

Top 5 

Nadia Barbary walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Ally Supan pinch ran for her at second. With two outs, Morgan Bernardini hit a two-run homer to left field. 

No. 20 Mississippi State 6, No. 2 Oklahoma 0

Next Up 

The Bulldogs will make their first Women’s College World Series appearance and open play on Thursday, May 28 against No. 4 Texas Tech.

For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching “HailStateSB.”  

–HailState.com– 



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