Four former Mississippi State standouts—including three representing American Samoa under head coach Samantha Ricketts—headline the WBSC-sanctioned USA Softball International Cup in Oklahoma City.
Leading the charge is Mississippi State head coach Samantha Ricketts, who returns for her second international tournament as manager of Team American Samoa. Joining her roster are former Bulldogs Chloe Malau'ulu, Matalasi Faapito, and Kiarra Sells, while Sierra Sacco-Ferrie will represent the U.S. Women's Elite Team.
The five-day tournament, running July 30 through Aug. 3 in Oklahoma City, features many of the world's top softball nations and serves as a key international showcase sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).
Mississippi State's Global Impact Continues to Grow
The Bulldogs' representation underscores the continued growth of Mississippi State softball as a program producing talent capable of competing on the international stage.
For Ricketts, the tournament represents another opportunity to help elevate American Samoa's national program while coaching athletes she helped develop during their collegiate careers in Starkville.
American Samoa enters the International Cup after gaining valuable momentum earlier this month at the Canada Cup, where Faapito and Sells made successful international debuts. The squad finished 5-5, recording multiple victories over Singapore and Chinese Taipei's development team while also defeating Peru.
Ricketts has now added another familiar face to her roster with Chloe Malau'ulu, whose international résumé already includes helping American Samoa capture the 2025 Pacific Mini Games Gold Medal.
During that championship run, Malau'ulu emerged as one of the tournament's top offensive performers, batting .500 (12-for-24) with three doubles, one home run, and eight RBIs.
Sierra Sacco-Ferrie Returns to International Competition
While three Bulldogs will wear American Samoa colors, Sierra Sacco-Ferrie continues her rise within the USA Softball system.
The former Bulldog impressed during her international debut earlier this year in the USA Down Under Series in Australia, where she hit .375 (3-for-8) with two home runs and five runs scored while competing for the U.S. National Team.
Now joining the U.S. Women's Elite Team, Sacco-Ferrie will continue building her international experience against elite global competition.
Elite International Competition Awaits
The tournament field features eight teams divided into two highly competitive pools.
Group A
- Japan (World No. 1)
- Chinese Taipei (World No. 5)
- American Samoa (World No. 42)
- U.S. Women's Elite Team
Group B
- United States (World No. 2)
- Canada (World No. 4)
- Australia (World No. 11)
- China (World No. 8)
The International Cup has become one of the sport's premier global events since its inception in 2005.
The U.S. Women's Elite Team enters with a 12-6 all-time tournament record, while Team USA owns a remarkable 83-8 mark in International Cup competition.
For American Samoa, the 2026 tournament marks the nation's first appearance in the prestigious event.
Bulldogs Set for Head-to-Head Matchup
Fans won't have to wait long to see former Mississippi State teammates compete against one another.
Tournament play begins Thursday morning when American Samoa opens against world No. 1 Japan, while the U.S. Elite Team faces Chinese Taipei later that afternoon.
One of the tournament's most anticipated storylines arrives Friday when Ricketts' American Samoa squad meets Sacco-Ferrie and the U.S. Elite Team in a Bulldogs-versus-Bulldogs showdown that will be nationally streamed on ESPN+.
The matchup offers Mississippi State fans a unique opportunity to watch four former Bulldogs compete on opposite sides while representing two different international programs.
Medal Round Awaits
Following round-robin pool play, the top two teams from each group will advance to Sunday's semifinal round before competing for gold and bronze medals on Monday, Aug. 3.
Whether representing Team USA or helping build American Samoa into an emerging international contender, Mississippi State's presence throughout the tournament highlights the program's growing influence on the global softball landscape.
With Ricketts guiding one national team and four former Bulldogs competing at the highest international level, the Bulldogs will once again be well represented on one of softball's biggest stages.
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-- By Andréa Mochida
© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.
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