STARKVILLE — When she was hired as Mississippi State’s softball coach in 2019, Samantha Ricketts took a tour with architect Jason Agostinelli through the team’s indoor facility in hopes of finding ways to renovate.
What she learned was in order to get what the team needed, a new facility had to be built. After a push from administration to make it happen, combined with unseen success on the field, that was able to be done.
On Friday, Mississippi State unveiled the new facility – a testament to the program’s value in the athletics department.
“That’s what I’m most proud of,” Ricketts said. “Yes, it’s beautiful. It’s shiny. It’s new. But the biggest thing is what it means to us in terms of the investment from the university and the athletic department. That they’re willing to really do it right and take care of the program and the young women within the program is what’s most exciting to me about it. It is a big deal.”
The new facility, which stands down the left field line at Nusz Park, features a turf area capable of holding five batting cages and two indoor bullpens to match the outdoor one. With retractable netting, the area can be used in many ways, including live batting practice and for defensive drills.
A treatment room about three times the size of the previous one connects to the practice area. From there, a team lounge connects to a locker room – with a graphic of the all-time SEC home runs leader Mia Davidson greeting players.
The team room sits in a hallway leading players from the locker room back to the practice area. Hidden beneath the cushioned seats and carpet of the team room are names and signatures of former players – those who are now both literally and figuratively part of the foundation.
“Even though they didn’t get to train in this facility, because of them choosing Mississippi State and because of what they did in their time in this program, it allows us to get better and better to where we’re in a spot where we can build something like this,” Ricketts said.
The project started with John Cohen, who is now at Auburn, serving as athletics director. Following his departure, Zac Selmon – who attended graduate school with Ricketts at Oklahoma – stepped in.
Selmon overlooks a program a year removed from its first super regional appearance, which was hosted at Nusz Park. However, that was followed by no NCAA Tournament appearance this year.
Battling to find places to practice while the new facility was under construction was a big part of the woes. Now with everything in place, a return to consistent success is expected.
“It’s on us,” graduate infielder Kat Wallace said. “The athletic department has done their part.”
Learn more about the project here.
See article written by Stefan Krajisnik at the Clarion Ledger here.