Softball Blanks Missouri State, 1-0

Feb. 13, 2010

DELAND, Fla. - The Michigan State softball team (1-1) downed the Missouri State Bears, 1-0, Saturday afternoon it its second game of the Lead-Off Classic hosted by Stetson. Getting the start and the win for the Spartans was freshman Shelby Wise, who pitched 4.1 scoreless innings in her Spartan debut.

The Spartans scored the game's only run in the top of the fourth inning. Sophomore Lori Padilla led off with a single, then found herself in scoring position after stealing second base and advancing to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Sophomore Brett Williams, the next batter up, hit a line drive down the left-field line to tally her fourth RBI of the season in Padilla, bringing the score to 1-0.

Looking to respond in the bottom of the fifth, Missouri State posted back-to-back singles early in the inning, putting runners at first and second. Senior Kelly Confer came in to toe the rubber for the Spartans in relief of Wise. The next batter, Gammon, hit a single to the pitcher, loading the bases with one out. Confer preceded to force a strike out and a ground out during the next two batters she faced, getting Michigan State out of the jam.

The Spartans were able to keep the Bears scoreless in the final two innings as Wise picked up the win for Michigan State, while Confer, who pitched 2.2 innings, earned her first save of the season

The Green and White is back in action tonight (Feb. 13) at 6:30 p.m. against tournament host Stetson.