Michigan State softball on upswing for first time in 10 years

EAST LANSING — In 2007, the last time Michigan State softball posted a winning season, junior Bridgette Rainey was 11 years old. Sophomore Ebonee Echols and freshman Jordan Watson were both 9.

The three Spartans, all of which played their high school ball in Georgia and played club for the Atlanta Vipers, weren't too familiar with MSU softball. All three, however, did know there wasn't much winning going on when they committed. For them, the opportunity to build something was the draw.

"I knew the program wasn't quite where it wanted to be, and I think that was part of my decision. I really wanted to be part of the change," said Rainey, who was born in Traverse City and moved to Georgia when she was 7.

"My high school coaches told me that I had other options that I could go to where we would be winning a lot more," Watson said. "I wanted to go somewhere where I could help change the program."

"I just took a leap of faith, and I really loved the coaching," Echols said. "I knew about the program, but I was going to take it as an opportunity to change things when I got up here."

Rainey, Echols and Watson have been vital to the softball program's recent renaissance, which continues in the Big Ten tournament at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in Ann Arbor when the No. 7-seeded Spartans take on No. 10-seeded Indiana. It's the second straight year that MSU will compete in the conference tournament, and the club's 29 wins are the most since that 2007 season. A victory over the Hoosiers will give the Spartans (29-21) their first 30-win season in 10 years.

Rainey is MSU's top pitcher with a record of 13-8. She leads the team with 120 strikeouts. Watson, also a pitcher, has a team-high four saves and has an 8-6 record. Echols leads the nation with 11 triples and has a batting average of .327, which is fifth on the team.

"They're very important," said 24th-year coach Jacquie Joseph, who is two victories away from 800 career wins. "There was a time when (the Atlanta Vipers) was a close club to us. It's a very, very good club. They place players in the SEC every year."

Rainey said the biggest difference has come with team chemistry and change in culture. The past two seasons, she said, "you kind of had to walk on eggshells every once in a while." The flip in player attitude has been a driving force, too, she added.

"(In the past), I think it was about the players and the standard then," Rainey said. "I think we've done a good job of changing it. Now, it's all about our genuine love for each other."

Echols believes MSU has turned the corner for good. She thinks the talent and mindset is there to shock teams this postseason, while setting the program up for the future.

"This is the start of something new," Echols added. "We're bringing in good talent. It's only up from here."

SPARTANS EARN BIG TEN HONORS: On Wednesday, the Big Ten announced its postseason softball awards, and three Spartans earned honors. Junior Lea Foerster, of Portage, was named first-team all-Big Ten and made the conference's all-defensive team. Sophomore Kaitlyn Eveland was named second-team all-Big Ten. Junior McKenzie Long was one of 13 honorees for the Big Ten's Sportsmanship Award.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.