Softball Unable To Handle No. 1 Michigan In Doubleheader Sweep

May. 1, 2005

Game One Final Stats
Game Two Final Stats

EAST LANSING, Mich. - With a record crowd on-hand of 1,903 at Alumni Field, No. 1 Michigan defeated Michigan State 8-0 and 9-1 Sunday, May 1, as both games went only five innings due to the Wolverines having at least eight-run leads. State's final Big Ten record fell to 7-9 (21-27-1 overall) while UM jumped to 13-2 (48-4). With Minnesota losing twice Sunday at Iowa, the Spartans, who are the defending conference tournament champions, assured themselves a spot in the eight-team Big Ten Tournament, which begins May 12.

Michigan's offense set the tone for the day immediately in the first game as the Wolverines led off with two doubles in the first inning off Rachel Turney (12-15) and both came around to score. In the third, Tiffany Haas blasted a solo shot that, with the help of the wind, traveled right over the foul pole in left to boost the UM lead to 3-0. Michigan then blasted back-to-back homers in the fourth, a two-run job off Turney and the other off reliever Lesley Noel. Michigan added two more in the fifth to solidify the run-ruled victory.

Elizabeth Peterson, Caitlin Mahoney and Nicole Mercado posted MSU's hits against Jennie Ritter (24-1) in the game one loss.

Ritter came back out and gave up only four hits to clinch the sweep in the second game. Turney also started as well and retired the first three batters she faced before UM exploded for two runs in the second, six in the third and one in the fourth. MSU managed to put a run on the board in its half of the second when Peterson singled to left field, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a sharp single down the right-field line by Traci Nicosia. Unfortunately it was not enough to upset the top-ranked Wolverines. Mercado did conclude her day with two hits and was 3-for-3 combined in both games.

MSU has three home dates on tap this week to conclude the regular season. The Spartans host Detroit May 5, at 3 p.m., Valparaiso May 7 at 2 p.m. and Miami-Ohio May 8 at noon as all dates will be doubleheaders.