Michigan State University
Northwestern
Softball Falls in Both Games to Northwestern
4/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 21, 2010
Video Highlights
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State softball team (18-23, 4-8 Big Ten) fell in both games of its doubleheader against Northwestern today (April 21) at Old College Field. The Wildcats improve to 20-18 overall, and 6-5 in Big Ten contests. MSU fell 15-0 in game one, and 9-0 in game two to NU. Both games ended at the end of five due to the eight-run run rule.
"You have to give Northwestern credit," said head coach Jacquie Joseph. "Every single mistake we made they hit it. I thought it was true in both games. If we made a mistake, they hit the ball 300 feet. We can't continue to make those mistakes. Offensively, we are just not hitting the ball like we need to. The Big Ten is a great conference and everybody comes to play, and if you aren't bringing your A-Game you're going to get it handed to you."
MSU fell behind early in the first game, trailing NU 1-0 at the end of the opening frame. The Wildcats extended their lead in the top of the second with an eight-run inning to increase their lead to 9-0.
With two outs, the Spartans looked to get the offense going when sophomore Lori Padilla reached base off a single. However, the bottom half of the inning would end off a ground out to the pitcher.
Northwestern closed out the game with a four-run fourth inning and a two-run fifth inning, bringing the final score to 15-0.
In the bottom of the fourth, junior Jessica Bracamonte would find her way on second base after singling and advancing to second on the wild throw from the shortstop. The inning would end off a screamer to the shortstop who would double up Bracamonte at second to end the inning.
Jessica Smith improved her record to 7-4 on the rubber with the win, allowing only two hits while striking out five. Senior Kelly Confer falls to 4-9 on the season.
In game two, the Spartans once again fell behind early after the first inning. The Wildcats once again put two runs in the top of the first on the Spartans.
"I think falling behind hurts with a young team," added Joseph. "If we are older and we more seasoned, I think we have something to fall back on and come back with. This team has not been able to show is resiliency from a hole that big."
The Spartans attempted to respond in the bottom of the second when Confer reached base off a single. Padilla would join her on the bases after being walked by the Northwestern pitcher. After a wild pitch, the Spartans found themselves with runners on second and third with two outs, when the Spartan batter would line out to the left fielder to end the inning.
The Wildcats would put the game out of reach of the Spartans in the top of the third with its second four-run inning of the day.
Sophomore Lauren Kramer, MSU's second batter of the fourth inning, posted a double to left center for the Spartans' second hit of the game. Kramer's pinch runner, junior Heidi Purtzer, would advance to third off a wild pitch. With two outs, the final MSU batter of the inning would go down on strikes.
Northwestern capped off its second run-rule game with three additional runs in the fifth, bringing the final score to 9-0.
Sophomore Lauren Kramer (13-12) took the loss for the Green and White in game two. Kramer ended the game with four strikeouts. Lauren Delaney was the pitcher of record for NU. Delaney improved her record to 10-12 on the season.
The Spartans are back in action tomorrow (April 22) when they travel to Mount Pleasant, Mich., for a game against Central Michigan at 4 p.m.
