Michigan State University
Georgia Southern
Softball Notches Win Over Georgia Southern, 4-2
3/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 8, 2001
TAMPA, Fla. - MSU starting pitcher Jessica Beech (Fr., Okemos, Mich.) picked up her first collegiate victory with a three-hit complete game as the Michigan State softball team defeated Georgia Southern, 4-2, Thursday afternoon (March 8) in the second game of the Speedline Invitational. Michigan State is now 4-12 for the season, 2-0 in the tournament, while the Golden Eagles fall to 9-15, 0-2.
MSU built a 2-0 lead early in the game, scoring runs in the first and third innings. Natalie Furrow (Fr., San Diego, Calif.) scored MSU's first run, while Shealee Dunavan (Sr., Yorba Linda, Calif.) brought home Tiffany Wallace (So., Wildomar, Calif.) on a RBI single in the third. Dunavan went 2-for-3 in the game.
The Eagles came back with two runs in the bottom of the third on a two-out single by Katie Bush, knotting the game at two.
The Spartans broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs to take a 4-2 lead. Angel Merren (Fr., Wayland, Mich.) hit the game-winning RBI single, scoring pinch-runner Theresa Pusateri (Fr., Homewood, Ill.) from second with two outs. Merren then came home on the next play, crossing the plate after a Wallace single and a throwing error by the left fielder.
"It feels good to get my first victory," said Beech, who didn't allow an earned run and struck out four. "The team is really starting to play better, and I think the way the team battled back is a good signal for the future."
Michigan State returns to action Friday (March 9) for day two of the Speedline Invitational. The Spartans will face Mississippi State at 10 a.m. and Texas Tech at 6 p.m.
Game Summary R H EMSU 101 002 0- 4 7 3GS 002 000 0- 2 3 3
WP: Beech-MSU (1-3)LP: Littlejohn-GS
