Michigan State University
PURDUE*
Michigan State Softball Shuts Out Purdue, 3-0
4/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 23, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Jessica Beech held Purdue to just two hits and struck out eight batters, and the Spartans scored three runs on four hits as Michigan State softball defeated Purdue, 3-0, at Old College Field in East Lansing Friday. State is now 25-19 on the season and 5-8 in the Big Ten, while Purdue moves to 27-20, 3-9.
Freshman Nicole Mercado was 1-3 in the game, and extended her current hitting streak to 14 games, equaling the longest streak on the State squad this season. Beech, Feenstra and Hurtado were all 1-3 at the plate as well, and accounted for MSU's four hits.
The Spartans held Purdue scoreless through the first two innings, and scored one run of their own in the bottom of the inning, as Tricia Lilley committed two errors. Brittney Green reached on an error, and came around to score two plays later on the second Boilermaker miscue of the inning. State added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning, as Mercado and Beech both singled to start the inning. They moved over on a sacrifice from Natalie Furrow, and scored on a two-run single from Elizabeth Peterson. The three runs would prove to be all the Spartans needed, as they took the 3-0 win.
Beech (19-12) threw her 18th complete game of the season, and did not allow a walk. Purdues Brooke Baker (14-9) took the loss and allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits. She struck out seven Spartans and did not issue a walk.
The Spartans host Purdue Saturday, April 24 at noon. Sunday, State faces Indiana in a doubleheader Sunday, April 25. All games are played at Old College Field on the Michigan State campus.
