Michigan State University
Central Mich
MSU Softball Shuts Out Central Michigan, 4-0
4/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
EAST LANSING, Mich. - A quick start and another stellar performance by junior Jessica Beech (Okemos) propelled the Michigan State softball team to a 4-0 victory over Central Michigan Wednesday at Old College Field. The victory improved MSU's record to 27-11, while CMU slipped to 19-12.
Michigan State scored four runs in the first inning, and that proved to be more than enough for Beech, who tied an MSU single-season record with her 10th shutout of the season. Beech allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out six to improve to 20-4, making her only the fifth Spartan in history to win 20 games in a season.
MSU struck early against Amber Puchalski in the first inning, as junior Brittney Green (Simi Valley, Calif.) led off with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Senior Sandy Lewis (Empire) looped a single to center to score Green with the game's first run.
Senior Tiffany Wallace (Wildomar, Calif.) followed with a single to right field, and moved to second on the throw to third base, which could have nailed Lewis for the second out, but the third baseman dropped the throw. Lewis came home to score on a perfect squeeze bunt for a hit by junior Natalie Furrow (San Diego, Calif.), who advanced all the way to second on the play when no one covered second base. One out later, sophomore Janette Hurtado (Rowland Heights, Calif.) doubled home two runs to complete the scoring.
Puchalski and Jenni Rasmussen combined to limit MSU to just two hits the rest of the way - a double by Beech and a single by Lacy Hauxhurst (Westminster, Calif.). Green, who had walked again, was thrown out at the plate trying to score on Beech's double in the fifth inning.
Central Michigan never advanced a runner past second base, and only one of the 21 CMU outs was a fly ball to an outfielder. The Chippewas left seven runners on base.
Michigan State will take to the road this weekend, playing games Friday and Saturday at Penn State, and a doubleheader at Ohio State Sunday.
