Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Drop Second Straight Heartbreaker to Penn State
4/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 22, 2006
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - The Michigan State softball team (32-16, 8-4 Big Ten) suffered it second 1-0 loss to Penn State in as many days, as a third inning home run by Ashley Esparza stood as the game-winner on Saturday in State College, Pa.
For the Spartans, Lesley Noel allowed four hits and one earned run from the circle; Nicole Mercado and Meghan Darhower each recorded one hit at the plate for the Green and White.
Noel held Penn State to one hit through the first two innings, but Esparza's home run over the right field fence for a 1-0 Nittany Lion lead in the top of the third inning.
Gina Mondo walked to start the Spartan half of the third, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Darhower. Beseres hit pinch hitter Jenny Poff, putting runners on first and second before Kara Weigle flied out to center, ending the Spartan threat.
With two outs in the home half of the fifth, Jen Williams singled, advancing pinch runner Kelsey Francisco to third for Esparza at the plate. Noel struck out Esparza, preserving the one-run Penn State lead.
Beseres held MSU hitless through the first five innings before Mercado reached on an infield single in the bottom of the sixth. Esparza relieved Beseres in the circle, hitting Mondo before Darhower loaded the bases with a single to right field. Penn State got out of the jam with a double play at third base before ending the threat by throwing out Dayna Feenstra at second for the final out of the inning.
Noel recorded three consecutive outs in the top of the seventh before Beseres downed the Spartans in order in the bottom half of the inning, completing the series sweep with her second consecutive shutout victory.
Michigan State looks to get back in the win column on Sunday when it faces off against Big Ten rival Ohio State. The doubleheader in Columbus is scheduled to begin at noon.
