Michigan State University
USF-Wilson Tournament at South Florida
Spartan Softball Picks Up Win In Season Opener
2/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 14, 2004
TAMPA, Fla. - No. 24 Michigan State softball (1-0) picked up its first win of the 2004 season in Tampa Saturday, defeating Jacksonville (5-1) 4-3 in the opening game of the USF/Wilson Tournament at South Florida. Jessica Beech picked up the win for MSU, moving her record on the year to 1-0, while Natalie Furrow and Brittney Green were 2-3 and 1-3 at the plate, respectively.
MSU's second game of the day, against South Florida, was suspended because of rain. Play will resume at 10 a.m. Sunday.
MSU jumped on the board in the first inning, 2-0, as Green recorded a leadoff triple. Two plays later, Furrow drove her in with a single to center field. Beech, who reached on a single, scored with one out as Furrow was caught stealing. The score would remain 2-0 until MSU gave up two unearned runs in the third inning.
The Spartans allowed Jacksonville an additional run in the top of the fifth, as Beech walked one and gave up two base hits. State tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman Dayna Feenstra added a leadoff double and pinch runner Victoria Morache advanced to third on an error by the JU shortstop. Green drove in Morache on a sacrifice. In the next inning, MSU took the lead for good, as a Jacksonville error allowed Furrow to score.
Furrow was 2-3 with a run scored and an RBI, while Green was 1-2 with a triple, a sacrifice, a run scored and an RBI. Beech worked seven innings and allowed three runs, one earned, on five hits and two walks. She struck out seven.
The Spartans' second game of the day, against host South Florida, entered a rain delay in the middle of the third inning. The score was tied at 5-5 when the teams were called off the field. Following the conculsion of the game with South Florida, State will face Florida at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
