Even with the loss of 10 players from the 2012 team, the Mississippi Valley State softball squad found its way back to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in the last 10 seasons. The Devilettes (25-32, 11-4 SWAC) bounced back after a sluggish start in non-conference play to begin the season to finish second in the SWAC Eastern division standings before claiming its eighth SWAC Tournament title in the last decade. At the SWAC Tournament in Decatur, Ala., Valley fell to Prairie View 6-2 in the opening game before winning five straight to claim the title. The Devilettes moved past Alcorn State, 4-2, before claiming a 1-0 win over Texas Southern. MVSU then got its revenge over Prairie View by defeating the Lady Panthers twice on the same day, 7-3 and 2-1, to advance to the championship game. The Devilletes then crushed Alabama State, 11-3, on ESPNU to win the SWAC Tournament championship. Afterwards, MVSU was selected to compete in the Mobile Regional, hosted by South Alabama, who defeated the Devilettes 10-0 in the opening game. Mississippi State then closed out the Devilettes' season with a narrow 2-1 win over MVSU.
KEY VICTORIES
Like in seasons past, the Devilettes were able to garner several key victories during the season including a 3-1 win over Wichita State in a tournament at Louisiana-Monroe. Valley scored the deciding runs in the fourth inning when Kishti Kamaka hit a two-run homer to right centerfield. Kimberly Spivey earned the win, allowed just one earned run on seven hits with four strikeouts.
In another tournament later in the season, the Devilettes wiped away Middle Tennessee State, 11-2, using 13 hits and a homerun from Nicole Burr. Spivey again earned the victory, allowing just two earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. Valley followed it up with a 6-1 win over UTEP at a tournament hosted by Jackson State. Alicia Lorenz allowed just one earned run and two hits with seven strikeouts in the victory. UTEP committed four errors and the Devilettes outhit its opponent nine to two.
One of Valley's biggest wins, however, came during the Tennessee State Tournament when MVSU shut down Indiana, 5-2. Alicia Lorenz earned the win without allowing an earned run and finished with 10 strikeouts.
THE HONORS
Four MVSU standouts were named All-SWAC, including shortstop Alexandria Robertson who was tabbed Hitter of the Year. Starting pitcher Alicia Lorenz and catcher Nicole Burr were selected First Team All-SWAC while Robertson and outfielder Yasmin Battle were named to the Second Team.
Robertson was also named the SWAC Tournament MVP while Lorenz and Burr were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Robertson finished the season with a .381 batting average and a conference-high 69 hits, 22 doubles, 13 homeruns and 49 RBIs. Burr, meanwhile, completed the year batting .342 with 53 hits, eight doubles, nine homeruns and 41 RBIs.
Battle batted .239 with 39 hits and 20 RBIs and six stolen bases.
MVSU head coach Lee Smith surpassed the 300-win mark during the 2013 season. Smith now stands with a career record of 325-306.
THE SENIORS
Five MVSU student-athletes closed out their collegiate careers during the 2013 season: Burr, Lorenz, Robertson, Alexandria Sullivan and Kimberly Spivey.
Burr spent three seasons at Valley after transferring from Notre Dame de Namur. In 153 games at MVSU, she compiled a .315 batting average with 133 hits (25 doubles), 71 runs, 22 homeruns and 115 RBIs. The two-time All-SWAC selection was tabbed Second Team in 2012 and First Team in 2013.
Robertson played all four years of her eligibility at Valley. The Cedar Park, Texas native played in 181 games and racked up 197 hits with a .352 batting average and 120 runs. Robertson finished her career with 55 doubles, seven triples, 26 homeruns, 13 stolen bases and 131 RBIs. She was named All-SWAC four times, including three times on the Second Team (2010-11, 13) and once to the First Team (2012).
Alexandra Sullivan finished her senior season with a .204 batting average. The Crystal River, Fla. native started in 52 of 53 games and finished with 29 hits and one homerun with 10 RBIs.
Spivey, a Dallas native, finished her career with a 41-37 record and a 3.83 ERA in 113 appearances. Her best season came in 2011 when she was named First Team All-SWAC and Pithcer of the Year. In her four year career at Valley, she pitched 486.1 innings and was responsible for 411 strikeouts. At the plate, she had 19 hits, including six doubles with a .161 batting average.
Lorenz was named First Team All-SWAC in each of her two seasons at Valley after transferring from Butte Community College. In 2012, the Paradise, Calif. native was tabbed Pitcher of the Year. She completed her career with a 32-27 record and 396 strikeouts in 74 appearances.
