Michigan State University
St Francis Pa
Softball Produces Offensive Explosion Against the Red Storm
3/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 1, 2003
CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Michigan State softball team blasted out 11 hits in a 16-0 victory over St. Francis at the Cougar Classic in Charleston, S.C., on Saturday, March 1. In the five-inning game, the Spartans went through the entire lineup during the final two innings, in which they scored 13 runs.
Senior Margaret Schick (Grass Lake, Mich.) opened the scoring with a run in the first as Natalie Furrow (San Diego, Calif.) singled. IN the second inning, Lacy Hauxhurst (Westminster, Calif.) crossed home plate as the St. Francis pitcher walked Sandy Lewis (Empire, Mich.) with the bases loaded.
A rain delay in the fourth inning didn't dampen the Spartans' firepower, as they scored six runs to bulk up a 9-0 lead. Lewis singled to get on base and scored as Jessica Beech (Okemos, Mich.) hit a single to right field three batters later. Beech and Tiffany Wallace (Wildomar, Calif.) scored as freshman Elizabeth Peterson (Riverside, Calif.) singled. A wild pitch by the St. Francis pitcher allowed Brittney Green (Simi Valley, Calif.) to score. Hauxhurst was the final Spartan to score in the inning. After being walked, Hauxhurst stole second base before a triple by Angel Merren (Wayland, Mich.) allowed Peterson and Hauxhurst to cross home plate.
The Spartans opened the fifth inning in the same manner in which they ended the fourth - scoring. Michigan State put seven more runs over the plate. With the bases loaded just three batters into the inning, Beech's hit toward the pitcher allowed Lewis to score her second run of the day. A single by Green allowed Natalie Furrow (San Diego, Calif.) to score and kept the bases loaded. After Peterson was hit by a pitch, Wallace crossed home plate. As Hauxhurst reached on a fielder's choice, Beech was able to score. One batter later, an error between the third baseman to the first base defender allowed the Hauxhurst and Peterson to score. As Lewis came to the plate for the second time of the inning, she singled, which allowed Merren to score.
Stephanie Christner (Sigourney, Iowa) picked up the win for the Spartans, her first of the season, as she struck out three and walked just one.
The Spartans' second game of the day against Winthrop was cancelled due to weather and field conditions. Tournament information will be available later, as the Cougar Classic moves to Patriot's Point field on the campus of the College of Charleston tomorrow (March 2).
