OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (WLBT) – The Mississippi State softball team is preparing for its first appearance in the College World Series.
In the fall, the team drew a map in their meeting space showing the road of the season, ending in Oklahoma City with the national championship trophy at the top.
“We drew out on the wall in our meeting space the road map of our season, and it ended in Oklahoma City with the national championship trophy at the top of it,” Head Coach Samantha Ricketts said.
For seniors Morgan Bernardini and Nadia Barbary, the journey has been long. Three years ago, the team did not make the postseason.
“So it’s really a full circle moment to know that we really put our head down, put in the work, worked hard enough and just the never-ending belief from our coaches from Starkville, from everyone around us, just continue to push us through the highs and through the lows,” Bernardini said.
The team has also adopted an unofficial lucky charm known as “the broccoli guy.”
“I think he’s been a key part and he might not know this, but when we do get a little tight in the dugout or we try to press ourselves and you look up and you see him dancing out in the outfield and just reminding us, hey, like this is fun,” Barbary said.
“He’s such a sweet guy. So just the fact that we could bring him along and, you know, celebrate him with our broccoli and our dugout and just make him feel a little special has been great too,” she said.
The Bulldogs are the only unseeded team in the World Series. They will face Texas Tech, a team known for hitting home runs.
The players said they are playing for more than themselves.
“We just try to be the best role models for them and just letting them know, like no matter who you are, no matter where you are, you’re never out of a fight. As long as you work hard, [and] you’re determined, you can determine your destiny,” a player said.
The team’s first game begins Thursday in Oklahoma City at 11 a.m.
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