Michigan State University
Princeton
Softball Tops Princeton, Falls To No. 15 North Carolina
3/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 7, 2009
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Michigan State softball team (7-7) split a pair of games to open the Tar Heel Invitational on Saturday afternoon. MSU posted a 5-4 win over Princeton in the first game, led by freshman Lauren Kramer's go-ahead home run in the sixth inning. The Spartans fell to 15th-ranked North Carolina in the second game, 6-2, with both runs coming off homers. Freshman Melanie Bensema recorded the first home run of her collegiate career and sophomore Jessica Bracamonte hit her first homer of the season.
Kramer started in the circle for the Spartans and retired six of the seven batters she faced through the first two innings against Princeton. She also led MSU at the plate, going 3-for-3 and scoring two runs.
Kramer was the first batter up for MSU in the second inning, hitting a single up the middle. Sophomore Heidi Purtzer then reached on a fielder's choice, and stole second for her first stolen base of the season.
Princeton took an early lead in the third inning with a three-run home run from Kathryn Welch. The Spartans responded in the fourth, scoring four runs on four hits. Senior Kara Weigle opened the inning, reaching first on a bunt. She continued, stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Kramer then singled through the right side to send Weigle home. Senior Gina Mondo came up to the plate next, hitting a single up the middle.
Kramer and Mondo then advanced a base each off a wild pitch. Sophomore Heidi Purtzer's singled to left field, scoring Kramer. Play continued, with Purtzer advancing to second on the throw and continuing to third off a throwing error from left fielder that scored Kramer. Purtzer scored on a passed ball to end the inning as MSU took a 4-3 lead.
Senior Megan Hair replaced Kramer to start the fourth inning, holding Princeton scoreless in the fourth and fifth frames. The Tigers notched a run in the sixth to tie the game at four before Kramer hit her second home run of the season to reclaim the lead at 5-4. The Spartans had the chance to add more runs with the bases loaded, but a fly out to left field ended the inning.
Hair retired all three batters she faced in the top of the seventh to record her first win of the season. She allowed just one run on three hits through four innings and struck out three.
The Spartans started the second game against No. 15 North Carolina strong with leadoff batter Bracamonte hitting a home run to right field, her first homer of the season. Classmate Lindsey Hansen reached on an error and Kramer hit a sacrifice bunt to advance Hansen to second. Mondo continued with a single, but Hansen was called out at home to end the inning.
North Carolina responded in the bottom of the inning, recording two hits, including a three-run double down the left field line by Whitney Allen to score three runs.
The Tar Heels tacked two more runs on in the second and one more in the third to take a 6-1 lead.
MSU attempted a comeback in the seventh inning, posting three hits. Bensema started the inning with a homer to center field, her first career home run to cut UNC's lead to 6-2. Bracamonte and Weigle both recorded hits, but the Tar Heels halted the Spartans' rally to claim the victory.
Junior Kelly Confer pitched all six innings for MSU.
The game against North Carolina was a "StrikeOut Cancer" event, with both teams wearing teal colored uniforms to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. In an effort to raise money for the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, MSU is selling the team's game worn t-shirts. A minimum of a $25.00 donation is requested for the t-shirt and it will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Please indicate if interested in a specific jersey number. Checks can be made out to The Fast Pitch Club and sent to head coach Jacquie Joseph, Michigan State Softball, 303 Jenison Field House, East Lansing, MI 48824-1025. For questions, call 517-355-4752.
The Spartans wrap up play at the Tar Heel Invitational on Sunday, March 8 with games against Georgetown (1:30 p.m.) and Elon (4 p.m.).
