Michigan State University
Bowling Green
Spartans Shut Out Bowling Green, 8-0, In Five Innings
4/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 21, 2009
Spartan Sports Podcasts
Ali Brett
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Scoring runs in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings, the Michigan State softball team recorded its second shutout of the season Tuesday afternoon with a five-inning 8-0 win over Bowling Green at Old College Field. Three Spartans recorded home runs in the game, including freshman Ali Grant's solo homer in the fifth inning to pick up the victory. Classmate Lauren Kramer started in the circle for MSU, giving up just three hits and striking out seven batters in her first career shutout.
After a delayed start due to weather conditions, the game got underway at 4:30 p.m. The Spartans' leadoff batter, freshman Lori Padilla, opened the game with a single to shortstop, but was tagged out at second when senior Kara Weigle reached on a fielder's choice. Weigle was sent home on a two-run homer with two outs by junior Kelly Confer, her second of the season, to give the Spartans an early 2-0 lead.
Kramer sent all three Bowling Green batters to the dugout swinging in the second, and recorded two more strikeouts in the third.
The top of the batting order started the third inning for MSU, with Padilla reaching on an error. Weigle also reached on an error, and made it across the plate along with Padilla, when the ball was thrown into deep right field. The two runs extended the Spartans' lead to 4-0.
Grant reached on an error, advanced to second, and moved to third on a passed ball to open the fourth inning for MSU. A single from pinch hitter Heidi Purtzer sent Grant across the plate for a five run lead. Weigle then reached base to put two runners on, but a diving catch from third base ended the inning.
Bowling Green threatened in the fifth with two hits but a line out to shortstop Lindsey Hansen sent the Falcons back to their dugout.
Sophomore Jessica Bracamonte hit a sharp single to left field with one out in the fifth, before freshman Brett Williams notched a homer to left field with a full count, putting MSU up 7-0. Just as the team welcomed Williams to home plate, the lighting warning system went off, sending the players indoors.
After a brief delay, the game resumed and Grant entered the batters box. With a 1-2 count, Grant blasted her fourth homer of the season to left field, sealing the victory for MSU.
The Spartans return to action on Thursday, April 23 when they host Oakland at Old College Field. The doubleheader is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.
