Michigan State University
Florida Gulf Coast
Softball Continues Strong, Run-Rules FGCU, 12-3
2/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 18, 2011
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Michigan State softball team moved to 5-2 on the year with a 12-3 win over Florida Gulf Coast in its second game at the Homewood Suites/Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Tournament on Friday, Feb. 18. The game marked MSU's second run-ruled win of the day as it previously topped Saint Louis earlier in the day.
After neither team posted a run in the first four innings of the contest, MSU got on the board first in the top of the fifth, putting seven runs on the board. Senior Jessica Bracamonte got things started for the Green and White with a leadoff infield single. Sophomore Kylene Hopkins laid a sacrifice bunt to third to get Bracamonte over to second. Senior Lindsey Hansen continued the hits for MSU with another infield single, moving Bracamonte to third.
Following another Spartan out, junior Ali Grant singled to left to score Bracamonte and move Hansen to second, giving MSU the 1-0 lead. Sophomore Jayme O'Bryant blasted a homer to clear the bases and put MSU ahead, 4-0. Junior Lauren Kramer ripped a single through the left side, forcing FGCU to make a pitching change. Senior Heidi Purtzer singled down the line in left to push sophomore Jenny Ramsaier who was running for the pitcher Kramer to third.
Freshman Sarah Bowling came to the plate as a pinch hitter for junior Karen Fox and legged out a triple to right. Bowling brought home both Putzer and Ramsaier to give MSU the 6-0 lead. Bracamonte returned to the plate in the fifth and singled up the middle to score Fox who returned to the lineup to run for Bowling. MSU ended the inning scoring seven runs on eight hits.
FGCU responded in its half of the inning with three runs to pull within four of the Spartans. Back-to-back walks put runners on first and second, causing Kramer to be relieved within the circle by sophomore Shelby Wise.
Another walk loaded the bases for the Eagles. After Wise got the next batter to pop out, Kayla Gabel grounded out, but managed to score Tori Williams from third. A double by Brittney Garabedian down the left field line brought home Courtney Platt and Jessica Barnes from second and third, respectively. FGCU scored three runs on one hit in the fifth inning.
The Spartans closed out the game with an additional five runs in the sixth. Hansen led off the inning with her first home run of the season. Williams wound up reaching base after the second baseman committed her first error of the inning. Grant singled to center to move Williams to second. O'Bryant moved Williams to third after she flied out the center. Grant put herself into scoring position with a stolen base.
Another error at second allowed Kramer to reach base with both Grant and Williams scoring from second and third, respectively. Kramer moved over to second after a wild pitch by the pitcher.
Purtzer recorded another single when she put the ball into left center, advancing Kramer to third.
Fox put the ball on the ground to second, however Kramer wound up getting picked off due to the throw from second to third, allowing Fox to reach base on a fielder's choice and Purtzer to move to second.
A wild pitch moved both Fox and Purtzer up one base, putting them both into scoring position.
Bracamonte knocked in 2 RBIs when she doubled to drive in both Fox and Purtzer. The Spartans finished the sixth with five runs on four hits.
Kramer improved to 3-1 on the season, throwing 4.0 innings. Kramer recorded three strikeouts while allowing two earned runs on three hits. Wise also netted three strikeouts in her 2.0 innings of work. Wise allowed one earn run on one hit.
Catherine McDaniel was the pitcher of record for FGCU, falling to 1-2 on the year. In her 4.2 innings pitched, McDaniel struck out six Spartans and allowed five earned runs on seven hits. Morgan Campen entered in relief for the Eagles and pitched 0.2 innings. Campen allowed seven runs, four of which were earned, on six MSU hits.
MSU returns to action tomorrow (Feb. 19) when it looks to move its win streak to three straight when it faces Georgetown at 11:15 a.m. The Spartans then face Villanova at 1:30 p.m.
