Michigan State University
MINNESOTA*
Errors Cost Spartan Softball In Big Ten Home Opener
4/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 9, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Brittney Green hit her third home run of the season and the Michigan State softball pitching staff allowed just four hits, but two MSU errors gave Minnesota a 2-1 victory at Old College Field in East Lansing, Mich., late Friday afternoon. The Spartans are 19-15 overall. 1-4 in the Big Ten, while Minnesota moves to 23-11, 4-1 in league action. The teams meet again tomorrow in a single game at noon.
State jumped on the board in the bottom of the second inning as Green recorded her solo shot with one out. Minnesota tied the game in the top of the third inning, as Tonya Mitchell started the inning with a leadoff single. She came around to score on an error by State pitcher Christy McGrew. The game remained tied at 1-1 until the Golden Gophers scored again in the top of the sixth. Centerfielder Stephanie Sward singled to start the inning and scored on a double to left field that resulted in an error by Spartan leftfielder Victoria Morache two plays later.
Janette Hurtado was 2-3 at the plate, while three other Spartans - Green, Nicole Mercado and Jessica Beech - went 1-3 at the plate. The Spartans struggled defensively, as they committed three errors on the day.
State's McGrew did not get a decision in her seventh start of the season. She worked 5.0 innings and allowed one unearned run on one hit. Beech gave up three hits and one unearned run in 2.0 innings of relief. She struck out four in the loss, moving her record to 15-11 on the season.
After tomorrow's game with Minnesota, State takes on Wisconsin in a doubleheader on Sunday, April 11.
