Michigan State University
Wisconsin
Softball's Unable to Fend Off Badgers, Falls 10-4
4/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 3, 2011
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State softball team (19-14, 1-3 Big Ten) suffered a heartbreaking loss at home to Wisconsin on Sunday, April 3, falling 10-4. In total, both teams endured delays totaling two hours and 49 minutes today. Junior Lauren Kramer made history as she blasted the first homer in Secchia Stadium with a three-run shot off the foul pole in left field.
"It's obviously disappointing," said head coach Jacquie Joseph on the loss. "We have gone through these lessons before and just haven't learned. We had them, but we just didn't put them away and the longer they played the more they got into it. The momentum changed after the weather delay and we just didn't get it done."
After starting the game an hour and 15 minutes after the original start time due to weather, freshman Cassee Layne made quick work out of her opposition as she struck out the first three batters in order.
Kramer put MSU out in front in the bottom half of the first with her shot off the pole in left. Kramer's homer marked the first in Secchia Stadium as she also drove home seniors Jessica Bracamonte and Lindsey Hansen to give MSU the early 3-0 advantage
After an hour and 34 minute weather delay in the top of the second, Shannel Blackshear of UW put the ball over the centerfield fence. Blackshear's blast tilted the momentum of the game as the Badgers pulled within two at 3-1.
Wisconsin continued with its momentum into the sixth after holding the Spartans scoreless until the seventh inning. An eight run sixth inning put the Badgers out ahead, 9-3.
Karla Powell kicked off the inning with a single down the line in right. After moving to second off a fielder's choice, Abby Gregory, who was pinch running for Powell, found herself on base with Blackshear following a walk. Gregory was the first Badger to score after Michelle Mueller singled through the right side to pull within one of MSU at 3-2.
Venessa Nunez, who was running for Blackshear, wound up crossing the plate after Kendall Grimm reached base after the Spartan third baseman bobbled the ball. Maggie Strange gave UW its first lead of the game when she singled back to the pitcher to drive in Mueller. Strange and Grimm gave Wisconsin insurance runs following a throwing error by the Spartan pitcher which allowed Jennifer Kreuger to reach base. Krueger made her way around the base path after Massey singled to right field to drive her home.
The final two runs of the inning occurred following a Powell double to left, after she returned to the plate for the second time in the inning to drive in Massey, and a hit by Stephanie Peace, which resulted in a throwing error by the MSU first baseman, scoring Powell on the play. UW ended the inning ahead by six runs.
Wisconsin scored its final run of the game in the top of the seventh after Ashley Hanewich doubled to right center field, driving home Grimm.
The Spartans attempted to rally in the bottom of the seventh, but were unable to do so as they only scored only one run in the inning. Sophomore Jayme O'Bryant reached on a fielder's choice to drive in classmate Jenny Ramsaier.
The Spartans return to action with its first mid-week conference set of the year against Penn State on Wednesday, April 6. MSU is scheduled to play the Nittany Lions in a doubleheader with the first game slated to begin at 3 p.m. ET at Secchia Stadium.
"The thing about our schedule is that we don't have to do anything to rebound, because Wednesday is coming whether we like it or not. Penn State will be here so we have to be mentally tougher," Joseph said on rebounding after the tough loss.
