Michigan State University
UAB
Softball Wraps Up Combat Classic
2/12/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 12, 2012
MIAMI - The Michigan State softball team wrapped up the final day of the 2012 Combat Classic losing to UAB 3-2 on Sunday (Feb. 12). The Spartans (1-4) rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning to come within one but couldn't hold off the Blazers, who advanced to 2-2 on the season.
UAB started out with bats swinging as they posted two runs in the first inning. With a runner on first, Catherine Crawford tripled into right center earning an RBI with the first run of the game. A single up the middle sent Crawford home putting UAB up 2-0. The first half-inning was followed by two and a half scoreless innings until a homerun from Kristen McGrath in the top of the fourth increased the Blazer lead to 3-0.
The Spartans got on the board in the fifth, rallying with two outs to post a two-run inning. Freshman Alyssa McBride led off being walked to first then stealing second. MSU had two outs when senior Melanie Bensema singled to center and advanced to second on the throw, McBride reached home on the play to score the first Spartan run of the game. Next up was senior Lori Padilla who singled, then moved to second on the throw. Freshman McKinzie Freimuth, who pinch ran for Bensema, reached home on the play narrowing the gap to one run.
The Spartan pitching staff remained poised on the mound as they posted two outs with the bases loaded in the seventh. Senior Rebecca Rogers began the inning striking out Crawford. Junior Shelby Wise replaced Rogers with a Blazer on each base then forced a pop out and a fielder's choice to keep UAB from scoring.
In the bottom of the seventh, Michigan State managed to get on base with a single by junior Jayme O'Bryant but couldn't capitalize, falling to UAB with a final score of 3-2.
Freshman Carly Nielsen was the starting pitcher for the Spartans. She threw for three innings, giving up three runs, earning the loss for the day. Rogers pitched for 3.1 innings, facing 18 batters and Wise closed out the game throwing .2 innings.
MSU heads back to the Sunshine State next weekend to face No. 2 Florida. The three-game series with the Gators begins at 5 p.m. (ET) on Friday (Feb. 17).
