Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Stanford
Softball Concludes Action at DeMarini Invite
3/4/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 4, 2012
Stanford Box Score|Cal State Fullerton Box Score
FULLERTON, Calif. - The Michigan State softball team concluded the DeMarini Invitational with losses to No. 11 Stanford and to host Cal State Fullerton. The Spartans went 1-3 on the weekend and own a 4-12 overall record.
A ten-run inning proved to be too much for MSU as the Spartans fell 11-0 to 11th-ranked Stanford. The bases were loaded in the bottom of the fourth when Hannah Winter singled to third base, allowing the runner on third to score. Two more singles kept the bases loaded and scored two more runs, then a walked batter scored the fourth. The next Cardinal batter struck out looking, but Cassandra Roulund followed with a double into right fielding, posting two RBIs on the play. A walked batter scored the seventh run of the inning and eighth of the day for Stanford. In her second appearance of the inning, Winter doubled to right field which brought three runners home. The inning was ended with senior Rebecca Rogers striking out Nyree White.
The Spartans had the greatest chance to score in the top of the fifth. Junior Jayme O'Bryant started the inning with a single to the shortstop. Freshman Kelsey Cleary, who pinch ran for O'Bryant, got into scoring position on a passed ball, but MSU couldn't capitalize as the next two batters flied out.
Junior Shelby Wise was the starting pitcher for MSU and in three innings of work she tabbed one strikeout and allowed three earned runs off six hits. Sophomore Cassee Layne faced five batters and allowed five runs while Rogers faced seven batters and notched two strikeouts while allowing three runs.
Michigan State scored seven runs in the second matchup of the day but it wasn't enough to overcome Cal State Fullerton's 11 runs.
The Spartan bats started swinging in the third as MSU posted five runs. Freshman Alyssa McBride was walked, then advanced to second as senior Lori Padilla was also walked. McBride and Padilla stole third and second, respectively, then McBride stole home for the first run of the game. A sacrifice bunt by junior Kylene Hopkins advanced Padilla to third base. Senior Ali Grant moved into scoring position after being hit by a pitch then stealing second. Junior Mary Kate DiVirgilio doubled into left center and tabbed two RBIs on the hit as Grant and Padilla reached home. Senior Brett Williams hit a single through the right side, then O'Bryant doubled to center field scoring the fourth and fifth runs of the inning.
Michigan State expanded the lead by another run in the next inning. McBride began the fourth with a bunt and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Padilla. A double to left center from Hopkins allowed McBride to round third and come home, putting MSU up 6-0.
The Titans responded in the bottom of the fourth with a three runs. Nicole Johnson doubled to center field to reach second base, then a single by Morgan LeMond earned the first run of the game for CSF. With LeMond on first, Anissa Young homered to center field to make it a 6-3 game.
Cal State Fullerton broke away in the sixth as they posted eight runs to take the lead. The scoring began with a three-run homer by Johnson into left field. LeMond followed with a single through the left side then another home run by Young notched the fourth and fifth runs. With runners on second and third, Carter reached on a fielder's choice and brought one runner home. A fielding error by the Spartans allowed the eighth run of the inning for the Titans.
DiVirgilio shot a homer into left center in the top of the seventh, but the lone run of the inning wasn't enough to get past Cal State. Freshman Carly Nielsen was in the circle for four innings and Wise pitched for two. Nielsen tallied three strikeouts and allowed eight runs while Wise notched one strikeout and allowed three runs. Nielsen earned the loss for the game.
The Spartans travels to Riverside, Calif. to continue Spring Break action to face UC Riverside on Tuesday (March 6) at 5:30 p.m. (ET).
