Michigan State University
Michigan
MSU Softball Downed By Michigan, 1-0
5/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 4, 2002
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Michigan State softball team fell to Michigan, 1-0, Saturday at Alumni Field in Ann Arbor. The loss dropped MSU's record to 24-34 overall and 4-14 in the Big Ten, while Michigan moved into first place in the conference with a 14-3 record, and is now 42-9 overall.
Michigan State managed just three infield singles off Michigan's Marissa Young, who struck out eight to improve to 23-7. Becky Gray (Sr., Burr Oak/Burr Oak) suffered the loss on the mound for the Spartans to drop to 13-17. Gray shut out the Wolverines on three hits through three innings, but served up a lead off home run to Young in the fourth, and was pulled after walking the following batter. Jessica Beech (So., Okemos/Okemos) relieved Gray and pitched the final three innings, surrendering only one single.
Brittney Green (So., Simi Valley, Calif./Simi Valley) had two of MSU's three hits, while Lauren Pedersen (Fr., Portage/Central) added the final hit in the seventh inning. Pederson would be stranded at first however, as MSU left seven runners on base during the contest. The Spartans had two runners on base in the fourth and sixth innings, but were unable to collect a key hit when needed.
Michigan also wasted several scoring opportunities, leaving eight runners on base. One of the Wolverines' best threats came in the fifth inning when they put the first two runners on base with the middle of the order due up, but Beech battled back, striking out Michigan's No. 4, 5 and 6 hitters to end the threat.
MSU lost its fifth straight one-run contest and its 17th one-run game of the season. Nine of MSU's losses in the Big Ten have been by a single run.
Michigan State concludes the 2002 season when it hosts Michigan Sunday at Old College Field at 1 p.m. MSU will honor its three seniors prior to the game: Gray, Keri DeJong (Sr., Portage/Kalamazoo Christian) and Amanda Melton (Sr., Saugus, Calif./Saugus).
R H EMSU 000 000 0- 0 3 0UM 000 100 x- 1 5 1
WP: Young-UM (23-7)LP: Gray-MSU (13-17)
