Magnolia State News

Landers Feels At Home in Maroon and White

Since making the decision to transfer from Florida State, graduate transfer Kiersten Landers has made an immediate impact for Mississippi State softball.

Following the Bulldogs' 6-5 win over the Southeastern Louisiana Lions in the opening game of the Bulldog Invitational on Thursday, Landers thought back to her welcoming visit to Mississippi State that led to her becoming a Bulldog.

"When I came on my visit, I just felt really at home," Landers said. "Coach [Samantha] Ricketts definitely gives a comforting and genuine feel, and the girls were so great and they really wanted me to be here and I really wanted to be here too."

In the first 23 games of the season, Landers has posted a .367 batting average with two home runs and seven RBI. Landers' explosiveness and ability to put the ball in play are impressive qualities that have allowed her to become a dependable hitter in the lineup for the Bulldogs.

Ricketts talked about Landers' progress in the weight room and at the plate for the Bulldogs so far this season.

"Even in the fall when [Kiersten] wasn't fully clear, she was the most explosive athlete we've ever had in the weight room and that's coming from our head strength and conditioning coach," Ricketts said. "I think once she fully finds that confidence in who she is and the player she is, even after two ACL surgeries, she still is very talented."

Landers' biggest performance this season came in the wins against Indiana and Arizona in the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational. She went 4-for-5 with a double and a homer against both the Wildcats and the Hoosiers, proving that she is a force to be reckoned with at the plate.

During her time at Florida State, Landers recorded the most clutch hit of the Seminoles' 2021 season to send FSU to the College World Series. With runners on first and second and one out, Landers was called to the plate to pinch-hit. The sophomore then drilled a ball down the third base line to defeat LSU in the Baton Rouge Super Regional and send her team to Oklahoma City.

With Landers having a fair share of experience in big-time moments under her belt, she shared the importance of the game-one win against Southeastern Louisiana for MSU to build momentum heading into the weekend.

"I think [Thursday's win against SELA] was a really great game," Landers said. "We really had to fight, especially towards the end, and everyone just gave their best effort and we really showed a lot of heart in that game. I think we just need to carry that over…and just fight until the very last out."

Along with dominating on the field, Landers also succeeds in the classroom. She earned ACC Honor Roll from 2019-2022, along with NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete in 2020 and 2021.

Landers is a tough, battle-tested athlete. No matter the adversity she has faced, Landers has always found a way to overcome the challenge.

Whether it is being taught how to eat crawfish by her teammates or crushing the ball at the plate, Landers has found her place at MSU and will continue to make an impact on and off the field in the Maroon and White.

Original source can be found here.