Michigan State University
Stetson
Softball Rallies Late to Top Stetson, 8-1
2/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 11, 2011
DELAND, Fla. - The Michigan State softball team (2-0) capped off its opening day of the season with an 8-1 win over Stetson in DeLand, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 11. The game marked MSU's second game of the Lead-off Classic hosted by Stetson. The Spartans used a four-run fifth inning to top the Hatters which was powered by sophomore Jayme O'Bryant's leadoff homer.
Trailing by one in the bottom of the fifth, O'Bryant blasted a home run to left field to open the Spartan rally. Back-to-back-to-back singles from senior Jessica Bracamonte, sophomore Kylene Hopkins and senior Lindsey Hansen loaded the bases for MSU. Senior Lindsey Hansen put the ball into right for a single, giving MSU a bases loaded situation. With runners at every base, Kramer remained poised as she drew a walk on four straight pitches, bringing in Bracamonte from third and making the score 2-1. Junior Brett Williams put the ball deep into right for a sacrifice fly and drive in Hopkins from third. Hansen wound up coming across home after a wild pitch with senior Heidi Purtzer at the plate. Purtzer flied out to left to end the Spartan inning with MSU leading 4-1.
Stetson was the first on the board in the opening inning when Chrissy Morello scored off a sacrifice fly by Jordan Cleghorn. Morello led off the game with a full count single through the left side. Morello then advanced to third after Chelsey Trotto walked and Chelsea Whalley singled to center. Stetson led 1-0 at the end of the first inning.
MSU responded to its fifth inning with another four run inning in the sixth. Junior Ali Grant led off the inning with a double to left. A sacrifice bunt from O'Bryant moved Grant to third for freshman Sarah Bowling to drive in her first RBI of her career with a double to left center. Pinch running for Bowling, senior Karen Fox advanced to third after a passed ball. Bracamonte recorded an RBI with a single to center which drove in Fox from third. Bracamonte got into scoring position on second after Hopkins grounded out to third for the second out of the inning. Hansen posted her first home run of the year when she blasted the ball over the right center fence, bringing in Bracamonte from second and making the score 8-1.
Bracamonte led MSU at the plate going 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Kramer took to the rubber for the Spartans, posting the first win of the season. Kramer recorded six strikeouts while allowing one earned run on six hits.
Meredith Owen took the loss for the Hatters as they fall to 0-2 overall on the season. Owen ended the night with five strikeouts with eight earned runs on 12 hits.
Michigan State returns to the diamond tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 12, when it faces No. 4 Tennessee at 11 a.m. followed by a 1:30 p.m. contest against Boston College.
