Softball Falls At Central Michigan, 3-0

April 7, 2004

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - Natalie Furrow was 2-3 at the plate with a double and Nicole Mercado hit her third double of the season in Michigan State softball's 3-0 loss at Central Michigan Wednesday. Spartan freshman pitcher Christy McGrew threw 2.0 innings in relief of starter Jessica Beech, and faced just six batters. The Spartans allowed all CMU's runs to score in the bottom of the first, and weren't able to take advantage of scoring situations in the game, as they left 10 runners on base. State is now 19-14 overall, while CMU improves to 13-11.

"If we'd gotten out of that first inning, it would have been a different ballgame," said head coach Jacquie Joseph. "We don't seem to be playing with the same level of intensity and enthusiasm we need to in order to get the job done."

Central Michigan jumped on the scoreboard in the first inning with three runs on five hits, a passed ball and an error. The Spartans threatened in the top of the second, as Chippewa pitcher Amber Puchalski loaded the bases, but State couldn't capitalize and left three runners on to end the inning. State held CMU in the bottom of the second, as MSU pitcher Jessica Beech struck out two. In the top of the third, the Spartans got two runners on base as Elizabeth Peterson and Brittney Green both walked with two outs, but State again couldn't capitalize and left both runners on base.

State again loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning, with Nicole Mercado's leadoff double. Natalie Furrow singled and moved Mercado to third. Peterson bunted for a fielder's choice on the next play, and Mercado was tagged out at home by the catcher. Green singled and loaded the bases, but designed player Dayna Feenstra was called out on strikes to end the inning.

Beech took the loss in the game, moving her record to 15-10 on the year. She worked 4.0 innings, allowed six hits and struck out seven. She did not walk a batter, though she did hit one. McGrew allowed just one hit in her 2.0 innings thrown. She struck out one. Catcher Amy Szawara threw out one Chippewa runner as she attempted to steal second, the second time she's caught a runner stealing this season.

While Furrow was 2-3 at the plate, three Spartans - Mercado, Green and Angel Merren - scattered the other State hits on the day. Furrow's double was her 41st of her career, good for second place on the all-time doubles list at MSU. She is just 12 two-baggers from claiming first place, currently held by Keri Lemasters (1994-97). The game marked just the second time this year MSU has been on the short end of a shutout.

The Spartans next play this weekend as they host Minnesota in two single games on Friday-Saturday, April 9-10. State takes on Wisconsin in a doubleheader on Sunday, April 11. The weekend's games will take place at Old College on the Michigan State campus.