Michigan State University
Florida Gulf Coast
Spartans Fall In Season Opening Games
2/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 13, 2009
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
MIAMI, Fla. - The Michigan State softball team opened the 2009 season at the Blue and Gold Felsberg Memorial Tournament on Friday, falling in both games. The Spartans opened the day against Florida Gulf Coast, dropping an 11-7 decision, and lost 5-3 to host Florida International in the second game. Freshman Ali Grant (Lutz, Fla.) recorded her first collegiate home run in the game against Florida Gulf Coast, and five newcomers made their debuts for the Spartans.
In game one, Florida Gulf Coast took an early 1-0 in the first inning before MSU posted two runs to take their first lead of the game. Sophomore Jessica Bracamonte (Hacienda Heights, Calif.) started the inning off with a walk and advanced to second on a fielder's choice by the catcher. Senior Gina Mondo (Orange, Conn.) then reached first on an error, continued on to third and scored Bracamonte. Junior Kelly Confer (Tampa, Fla.) singled, advanced to second on an error and Mondo crossed home plate for the 2-1 lead.
Florida Gulf Coast came back and scored two runs in the second and one in the third to take a 4-2 lead. The Spartans held the Eagles scoreless in the fourth and added two runs to even the score at four aside. Grant, freshman Melanie Bensema (La Habra, Calif.) and sophomore Heidi Purtzer (Scottsdale, Ariz.) all singled to start the inning and load the bases. Florida Gulf Coast changed pitchers with just one out and sophomore Karen Fox (Flushing, Mich.) at the plate. Fox drew a walk, bringing Grant home. Bracamonte then hit a sacrifice fly to left field, sending Bensema home to tie the game.
The Eagles took the lead again in the top of the fifth inning with one run. Confer started a rally for the Spartans in the bottom of the inning, reaching first on an error with two outs. Grant hit next, blasting a two-run homer to left center to take a 6-5 lead in the game. The home run was the first of her career, and she would end the game with a team-high three RBIs.
Florida Gulf Coast responded by recording six runs in the sixth inning to reclaim the lead and secure the win. The game featured five lead changes and a tie.
MSU faced FIU in game two, and the Golden Panthers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
The Spartans notched a run in the third inning with Grant reaching first on an error, sending Bracamonte across the plate. FIU tacked on two more in the third inning to increase the lead to four runs.
MSU attempted a comeback in the fifth after sophomore Lindsey Hansen (Valparaiso, Fla.) tripled to right field, scoring Bracamonte, but finished the inning with only one run.
In the sixth, freshman Lauren Kramer (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) led off with a walk. Senior Megan Hair (Torrance, Calif.), who pinch ran for Kramer, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Purtzer double, cutting the lead to two. It's as close as the Spartans would get, however, as they fell to the Panthers, 5-3.
The Spartans continue action at the Blue and Gold Felsberg Memorial Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 14, with a game against St. Johns at 2 p.m., followed by Georgetown at 4 p.m.
