Softball Falls in Both Games at Purdue

April 28, 2010

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Michigan State softball team (18-26, 4-10) fell to Purdue in both games of its doubleheader today (April 28) in West Lafayette, Ind. The Spartans dropped game one, 2-0, and fell 10-2 in the second game. Junior Lindsey Hansen tallied the team's only hits in the opening game, and followed up that performance with a home run and an additional hit in the nightcap.

The Boilermakers used a run in the fourth and fifth innings to power past MSU in game one, 2-0. With Liane Horiuchi on second base, Jenna Alexander laid a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher, advancing Horiuchi to third. Ashley Courtney would then double to right center to score Horiuchi and put the first run of the game on the board in the fourth.

In the fifth, Kristen Allen homered to right field to bring the score to 2-0.

Hansen manufactured the lone hits for MSU in the first and fourth innings. With the count 0-1 in the first, Hansen ripped a single through the left side.

The Spartan junior posted her second hit of the game in the fourth when she singled to center. After sophomore Lauren Kramer reached base off a fielder's choice, the Spartans found themselves with two outs and runners on second and third. However, the next MSU batter would pop up to the second baseman, ending the Spartan threat.

Suzie Rzegocki (19-19) of Purdue limited the Spartans to two hits in seven innings pitched. Rzegocki struck out five, while not allowing a MSU run. Kramer took the loss for the Green and White, falling to 13-14 on the season. Kramer threw 4.2 innings before being relieved by sophomore Rebecca Rogers, who finished out the game for the Spartans.

Game two started out with a bang for MSU as Hansen hit her ninth home run of the season off a shot to left field to bring the initial score to 1-0. Hansen finished the day going 4-for-6 with two runs and a RBI.

Although MSU was the first on the board, the Boilermakers responded in the bottom of the opening frame with two runs themselves, making the score 2-1. With the bases loaded, Ashley Courtney grounded out to second to score Molly Garst from third base. Purdue posted its second run of the game when Ashley Barr pushed across Suzie Rzegocki from third off an error at first.

Kristen Allen found her way to home plate in the bottom of the second when Garst found herself in a run-down between first and second with the Purdue runners were at the corners. Allen's run brought the score to 3-1.

MSU pulled to within one in the top of the third when junior Jessica Bracamonte doubled to left to knock in Hansen from first.

The Boilermakers scored a run in the fourth and six runs in the sixth to run-rule the Spartans.

Allen kicked off the fourth with a single to right center. After stealing second, and advancing to third off a fielder's choice, Allen made her way to home as Garst hit a sacrifice fly to center to bring the score to 4-2.

Knocking in the first run of the sixth was Allen who hit into a fielder's choice to score Barr. Erika Petruzzi knocked in the second run of the inning when she singled up the middle to drive in Kayla Yates. Allen wound up scoring for the Boilermakers when the Spartan catcher made a throwing error when Garst was attempting to steal second base. A bunt single from Horiuchi brought in Petruzzi for the fourth run of the inning. Purdue ended the six-inning game after Garst came home on a fielder's choice and error by the Spartan catcher.

Erika Petruzzi of Purdue improved to 4-3 on the season with her 5.2 innings of work. Petruzzi limited MSU two earned runs on nine hits. Senior Kelly Confer (4-10) took the loss for the Green and White in her 2.1 innings pitched. Rzegocki earned her third save of the year for the Boilermakers.

The Spartans are back in action tomorrow (April 29) when they host Oakland at Old College Field in a doubleheader. The first game will begin at 4 p.m., with game two to follow at 6:30 p.m.