{"id":218248,"date":"2026-04-04T02:49:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T02:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/218248\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T02:49:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T02:49:08","slug":"no-13-state-one-hits-no-5-florida-but-falls-in-pitching-duel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/218248\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 13 State One-Hits No. 5 Florida But Falls In Pitching Duel"},"content":{"rendered":"

GAINESVILLE, Fla. \u2013 No. 13 Mississippi State held No. 5 Florida to one hit, but that hit was a two-run home run that proved to be the only scoring in the game on Friday night.
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\nPeja Goold<\/a> limited one of the nation’s top-five offenses to its fewest hit total since June 1, 2024, when the Gators were beaten by No. 1 Texas. She struck out three in her 10th complete game, and the only hit came with two outs in the bottom of the sixth.
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\n“Peja threw another great game,” head coach Samantha Ricketts<\/a> said. “She was attacking, mixing speeds. She just made one mistake, and they capitalized on it. But, you know, another good outing for her, and we’ve got to find a way to have her back and score some runs.”
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\nAnna Carder<\/a> led the Bulldogs’ (32-8, 4-6 SEC) offense with a pair of hits. Kiarra Sells<\/a> added a double to open the ballgame. State’s best chance to score came in the first inning with bases loaded and only one out, but the Gators turned a double play to get out of the inning.
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Samantha Ricketts<\/a> on Kiarra Sells<\/a>…
\n“That’s\u00a0the reason we moved her to the lead off. She just finds ways to get on base and hits the ball hard all over the field, and we need a timely hit when we’ve got runners out there in scoring position. Just couldn’t come up with one today.”
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\nSamantha Ricketts<\/a> on Anna Carder<\/a>\u2026
\n“Anna’s looked good the last few outings, and we trust her, knowing that she’s not going to get too big in the moment and find a way to swing within the game plan. I thought she did a good job of that today.”
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Anna Carder<\/a> \u2013 Recorded her second multi-hit game of the year and first since Feb. 15.
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\nPeja Goold<\/a> \u2013 Did not allow a hit until the game-winning home run \u2026 struck out three \u2026 posted her 10th complete game of the year.
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\nKiarra Sells<\/a> \u2013 Opened the game with her 11th double of the year \u2026 as reached safely in 14 of her last 22 plate appearances \u2026 has reached safely in nine consecutive games with a hit in five straight.
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\nMorgan Stiles<\/a> \u2013 Singled and recorded a season-high-tying four assists.
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Bottom 6
\nWith two outs, Jocelyn Erickson drew a walk, and Kenleigh Cahalan homered to center.
\nNo. 13 Mississippi State 0, No. 5 Florida 2
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Saturday’s game time has been adjusted due to the lengthy pre-game lightning delay on Friday night. First pitch is now scheduled for noon CT, and the game will now air on SEC Network+.
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\nFor more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on\u00a0X (formerly Twitter)<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0by searching “HailStateSB.”
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