Michigan State University
LIU
Spartan Winning Streak Halted At Seven
3/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 10, 2006
CLEARWATER, Fla. -
Michigan State vs. LIU Final Stats
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Michigan State vs. USF Final StatsDownload Free Acrobat Reader
The Spartan softball team continued action at the USF-Adidas Spring Break Invitational Friday, dropping a 6-2 decision to LIU and a 6-4 loss to host USF. State moves to 2-2 in pool play after Friday's losses, and 11-5 overall in 2006. Freshman catcher Kara Weigle and sophomore Jessica LeFevere each tallied one RBI in the loss to LIU, while Traci Nicosia led the Spartan offense with a 2-3 performance vs. the Bulls in late afternoon match-up.
Long Island took advantage of an error in the Spartan infield to score the first two runs of the day in the top of the first inning. Pitcher Lesley Noel would force consecutive groundouts with runners on second and third to end LIU's threat in the first. With two outs in the top of the fifth, two more LIU runners would score on a bases clearing triple, as the lead grew to 4-0. Spartan pitcher Megan Hair would relieve Noel, however a Krystal Meija home run with a runner on second, would add two runs to the LIU lead.
Held hitless through the bottom of the fourth, State's Traci Nicosia would rip a double to the center field fence, as MSU saw its first base runner of the inning. After a Megan Darhower pop fly to short, Weigle sent a ball to the left field fence, scoring Nicosia from second. Pinch hitter LeFevre would drop a ball into shallow left field, scoring Weigle from third for MSU's second run of the inning.
Needing a strong offensive effort in the bottom of the seventh, Darhower would lead off, reaching first on an error by the LIU second baseman. Darhower would advance to second on a Mondo ground out, however the LIU defense held strong to secure the 6-2 victory.
After its first loss in eight games, State would face the University of South Florida continuing pool play Friday afternoon. With one out in the top of the first, USF would threaten with the bases loaded for Krista Holle who hit an RBI single to the Spartan left fielder taking the 1-0 upperhand. The bases still loaded, the Bulls' first baseman Bullion hit a bases clearing single, extending the lead to 4-0.
With a runner on first in the top of the second, Samantha Ray hit a triple to the left field fence, bettering the USF lead at 5-0. Held scoreless until the top of the fourth, MSU first baseman Feenstra tallied her third home run of the year, sending a ball over the center field fence, nearing the Bulls' lead at 5-1.
On a controversial call in the top of the fifth, MSU's designated hitter Mahoney would reach first on an error by the USF first baseman, scoring LeFevere from third as the deficit stood at 5-2. The Bulls would add one run in the bottom of the fifth extending the advantage to 6-2. An error by the USF infield would score Traci Nicosia in the bottom of the fifth, while a failed pickoff attempt would score Darhower from third, as smart base running by the Spartan offense would narrow the score at 6-4.
Entering the seventh down two runs, State was unable to overcome the deficit, as the Bulls' defense held strong for the 6-4 victory. Turney would allow seven hits and six earned runs in the loss, while USF combined for two strikeouts in the win.
"I was disappointed in our effort today," Joseph said. "We need to be ready to play tomorrow morning vs. Boston University, and continue to play strong throughout bracket play tomorrow afternoon."
The Spartans return to action, Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. vs. Boston University in the final game of pool play from Clearwater.
