The opening game at the MSU Softball Field came on Feb. 26, 1997, with the Bulldogs sweeping Samford in a doubleheader with back-to-back 4-0 scores. The opener was witnessed by over 300 brave fans that endured inclement weather.
Mississippi State holds a 548-269 (.671) overall record at the site and won a school-record 25 games in the friendly confines of Nusz Park during the historic Super Regional 2022 season.
Completed in advanced of the 2016 season, Nusz Park, a $6 million project, includes 1,000 maroon chairback seats, in addition to an expanded concourse that includes restrooms and concession stands.
There is also abundant standing room space around the grandstand and outfield. The outfield portion draws comparisons to Dudy Noble Field’s world-famous Left Field Lounge. Beyond the left field wall lies a state-of-the-art Daktronics video board.
It was announced on Jan. 22, 2016, that the facility would carry the name of alumni couple Tommy and Terri Nusz of Houston, Texas, and be known as Nusz Park. The Nusz’ lead gift for the softball facility was part of a significant contribution from them for Infinite Impact: The Mississippi State University Campaign. The campaign gift continues their longtime support of the land-grant institution and will benefit athletics, academics and other areas of MSU.
In addition, the new press box was constructed to the specifications of ESPN and the SEC Network. The structure contains separate booths for both home and visiting radio crews, TV crews and working media.
The Bulldogs’ first action in the new digs came against Southern Georgia, a 6-0 victory on Feb. 11, 2016. MSU opened play at Nusz Park with six-straight victories, including a sweep of the Bulldog Kickoff Classic. State captured its first SEC win at Nusz with a 6-3 win against eventual WCWS finalists and third-ranked Auburn on March 19.
Nusz Park was on national display, as it hosted the 2016 Southeastern Conference Softball Tournament over May 11-14, 2016. The four-day event hosted 12 teams and a total of 11 games and drew praise from coaches across the league to ESPN and SEC Network officials.
"This is an awesome venue. We have been here a couple of days now. We had not been to the new stadium yet, so to be able to see the stadium, first and foremost, really shows a commitment to the sport of softball," Kentucky softball head coach Rachel Lawson said. "But then to see all the hard work that went into throwing the SEC Tournament was awesome, right down to the smallest detail. They have been tremendous, the city of Starkville and the surrounding areas have been tremendous."
Overall, the Bulldogs are 204-82 (.713) at home since the re-opening of Nusz Park in 2016. MSU shattered ballpark records on its way to its first Super Regional appearance in 2022. The Bulldogs went 25-12 at home, setting the school record for most home victories in a season.
On May 27, 2022 the largest college softball crowd in the history of the state of Mississippi descended on Nusz Park for the Bulldogs' Super Regional with Arizona.
Despite an 11 a.m. first pitch on a weekday, 2,209 fans packed the park for the first NCAA Tournament game in the facility.
The next day the record was again broken when 2,299 fans surrounded the facility. That figure now stands as both the Nusz Park record and state of Mississippi record.
TOP 15 CROWDS
- 2,299 - May 28, 2022 vs. Arizona
- 2,209 - May 27, 2022 vs. Arizona
- 1,903 - March 8, 2025 vs. Auburn
- 1,870 - May 3, 2025 vs. Ole Miss
- 1,612 - April 16, 2016 vs. LSU
- 1,577 - April 12, 2014 vs. Alabama
- 1,572 - Apr. 13, 2024 vs. Tennessee
- 1,562 - April 21, 2018 vs. Florida
- 1,553 - April 12, 2013 vs. Ole Miss
- 1,547 - April 25, 1998 vs. Ole Miss
- 1,520 - April 19, 1997 vs. Alabama
- 1,474 - April 2, 2016 vs. Ole Miss
- 1,439 - April 14, 2024 vs. Tennessee
- 1,427 - April 15, 2023 vs. Alabama
- 1,413 - April 8, 2017 vs. South Carolina
*Bold denotes a ticketed game
The Bulldogs’ home will open its 11th season in the spring of 2026.