Mississippi State (34-27, 13-16 SEC) completed the sweep of the Florida softball team (32-33, 12-18) at the MSU Softball Field in Starkville, Miss. today. Florida lost 8-2. The loss today makes them the eighth seed in the Southeastern Conference Tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn. next week.

Florida scored the first run in the game. Senior Katy Berger started the Gators off in the first inning with a single to right field. Jenilee Garner hit her home with a triple through the left side. Bree Berger hit Garner in with a sacrifice fly to center field to give the Gators a 2-0 lead.

Mississippi State came back to take a three run lead in the bottom of the third inning. With one out, Jennifer Nelson started a Bulldog rally with an infield base hit. The next two batters walked to load the bases. Lindsay Nelson hit a two RBI single down the left field line. Kate Jaspers followed with a two RBI triple down the right field line. Amy Mosley hit and RBI ground out to second base to allow Jaspers to score the fifth run of the inning.

The Bulldogs added two more runs in the next inning. With two outs, Kellie Wilkerson hit a bloop single to short center field. Iyhia McMichael laid a perfect bunt right infront of the plate for a base hit. A Lindsay Nelson double drove in Wilkerson and McMichael for the 7-2 Bulldog lead. Two striaght double by Wilkerson and McMichael in the bottom of the fifth scored another run and advanced State's lead to 8-2.

Florida's next game will be on Thursday, May 9 at 8 p.m. against top- seeded LSU.