Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Iowa
MSU Softball Falls To No. 13 Iowa, 8-1
2/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 18, 2001
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Michigan State softball team lost its final game in the Arizona State/Louisville Slugger Classic to No. 13 Iowa on Sunday morning (Feb. 18), 8-1. The Spartans finish the season-opening tournament with a record of 0-5, while Iowa improves to 4-1.
Iowa started its scoring with one run in the second, followed by a two-run homer by Alicia Gerlach in the third to make it 3-0. The Hawkeyes added three runs in the fourth on three hits to increase the lead to 6-0.
MSU got on the board in the fifth. Jessica Beech (Fr., Okemos, Mich.), who reached base on a two-out walk, scored the lone run for the Spartans on a two-base error by Iowa left fielder Megan Atkins that put Shealee Dunavan (Sr., Yorba Linda, Calif.) on second base.
Iowa scored two more runs in the sixth on consecutive RBI singles by Gerlach and Lori Leon. Gerlach finished the game 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Becky Gray (Jr., Burr Oak, Mich.) took the loss for the Spartans, allowing six runs on six hits in 3 1/3 innings of work. Gray's record is now 0-3. Kristi Hanks (4-0) pitched five innings in the win, giving up only two hits.
Michigan State returns to action next Friday (Feb. 23) facing New Mexico in the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga.
