Michigan State University
Illinois
Spartan Softball Swept By Illinois In Big Ten Doubleheader
4/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 13, 2007
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Michigan State softball team (20-19, 0-4 Big Ten) dropped consecutive 9-6 decisions to Illinois (25-14, 4-2 Big Ten) in conference action on Friday. The teams combined for an impressive 13 home runs in the doubleheader.
The teams combined for seven home runs in game one of the day, as MSU tallied three and the Illini managed four. Lesley Noel (4-3) tossed 4.1 innings for the Green and White in game one, allowing four hits and one earned run in the loss. Rachel Turney pitched 1.2 innings of relief, allowing four hits and three earned runs in the circle.
Illinois hurler Vicky Brown improved to 15-5 for the year, allowing five hits and two earned runs in 5.0 innings of work in the circle.
Junior outfielder Nikki Nicosia led the Spartans with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate, adding two runs and two RBI. Sophomore catcher Kara Weigle added one run and one RBI, while junior third baseman Caitlin Mahoney contributed one hit, one run and two RBI. Meghan Darhower added one hit and one run in the loss.
Illinois third baseman Shanna Diller gave the home team an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a solo shot to left center. The lead held until the Spartan third, when Mercado reached on an Illini error and Nikki Nicosia delivered a two-run home run to right center for a 2-1 MSU advantage. The blast was Nicosia's first of the season.
Illinois added one run in the bottom half of the third on a throwing error in the MSU outfield, and State answered with one run in the fourth behind a solo home run by Darhower, her first of the season.
Illinois erupted for four runs in the bottom half of the frame on two walks, a Spartan fielding error and a hit batsman. The Illini loaded the bases and Diller followed with her second home run of the game, a grand slam to right center for a 6-3 upperhand.
State answered in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs on two hits, including a two-run homer by Mahoney, her team-leading sixth of the season. Nikki Nicosia tallied a lead off single, and advanced on the bases on a Jessica LeFevre sac bunt and passed ball by the Illini catcher. She scored on a sac fly by sister Traci, as the Spartans evened the score at 6-6.
Illinois continued to battle, scoring one run on a solo homer by designated player Sydney Lisy in the fifth, and the squad extended its lead in the sixth on a two-run homer by shortstop Angelina Mexicano for the deciding 9-6 advantage.
State scored six runs on five hits, while Illinois tallied nine runs on eight hits. MSU committed three errors, compared to just one miscue by the Illini defense.
Both teams continued strong performances at the plate in game two, as Illinois tallied five home runs and the Spartans added one.
Kelly Confer (3-1) started in the circle for the Spartans, allowing three hits and three earned runs in the loss. Relief pitchers Megan Hair and Noel combined to allow 10 hits and five earned runs.
Claire DeVresse (2-2) tossed 3.0 innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs in the victory for the Illini.
Mahoney, Dayna Feenstra, Gina Mondo, Weigle and Traci Nicosia each contributed one double, while Mahoney tallied a team high three hits at the plate in game two.
Illinois scored one in the top of the first, and Weigle continued the home run streak with a solo shot to center field to even the score at 1-1. The blast was her fifth of the season.
The Illini added five runs in the top of the second behind a solo shot by Mexicano and a two-run homer by Mackenzie Smith. State answered in the bottom half of the frame on a two-run double by second baseman Gina Mondo, and RBI single to right by Nikki Nicosia to pull within two at 6-4.
The Fighting Illini added one in the third to push the lead to 7-4, and the Spartans failed to score in the bottom half of the frame.
Illinois scored one run as the result of a Spartan error in the fifth, but State rallied in the bottom of the set. Three consecutive doubles by Weigle, Traci Nicosia and Mahoney scored two Spartan baserunners to pull within two at 8-6, but Illinois scored one in the sixth and held strong in the seventh to close the 9-6 victory.
State tallied 14 hits and tallied one error, while the Illini tallied 13 hits and committed no errors in the field.
Michigan State concludes weekend Big Ten action on Sunday in a doubleheader at Iowa. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST.
