Michigan State University
Illinois
Illinois Takes Two From Spartan Softball
4/28/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 28, 2002
URBANA, Ill. - The Michigan State softball team lost two games to Illinois in a doubleheader Sunday afternoon (April 28) at Eichelberger Field. The Illini beat the Spartans 3-2 in game one and won the second game by the same score. MSU falls to 24-32 (4-13 Big Ten), while Illinois improves to 30-20 (8-9 BT).
In the opener, Michigan State outhit the Illini, 9-4, but couldn't overcome a two-run Janna Sartini homer in the bottom of the third that gave Illinois the lead for good.
MSU took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third on an RBI single by Natalie Furrow (So., San Diego, Calif./Mills E. Godwin) that brought home Sandy Lewis (Jr., Empire/Glen Lake) and on an RBI double by Robyn Golden (Jr., Belleville/Belleville) which plated Furrow.
Illinois scored its first run in the second on a double by Katie O'Connell.
MSU starting pitcher Becky Gray (Sr., Burr Oak/Burr Oak) struck out seven batters in the complete game loss. Gray now has 398 career strikeouts, which is only 11 away from becoming MSU's all-time leader.
Michigan State's defense committed four errors which led to three unearned runs in the Spartans' 3-2 loss in game two.
Jessica Beech (So., Okemos/Okemos) threw seven innings in the loss. Beech (8-8) scattered six hits and struck out three.
Illinois scored two runs in the top of the first, but Sandy Lewis cut the lead to one with her fourth homer of the year in the bottom half of the inning.
The Illini bounced back with a run in the second to take a 3-1 advantage. The Spartans rallied for a run in the fifth on an Angel Merren (So., Wayland/Union) RBI single, but a popout ended the inning and the scoring threat.
Michigan State returns to action Thursday, May 2 to face Western Michigan for a single game at Old College Field, beginning at 4 p.m.
Game Summaries
GAME ONE R H EMSU 002 000 0- 2 9 0ILL 012 000 x- 3 4 0
WP: Taylor-ILL (16-15)LP: Gray-MSU (13-16)
GAME TWO R H EILL 002 000 0- 3 6 0MSU 100 010 x- 2 5 4
WP: Lovejoy-ILL (10-1)LP: Beech-MSU (8-8)
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