Michigan State University
UCLA
Softball Succumbs to No. 17 UCLA
3/7/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 7, 2012
LOS ANGELES - The Michigan State softball team continued their Spring Break action at No. 17 UCLA on Wednesday (March 7). The Spartans started strong but couldn't keep the energy going as they fell 14-3 to the Bruins.
MSU struck first in the opening inning against the Bruins. Senior Lori Padilla kicked off the game with a single to the shortstop and then moved into scoring position when she stole second. A ground-out to second base by junior Kylene Hopkins allowed Padilla to reach third. Senior Ali Grant was up next and reached on a fielding error by the Bruin first basemen, then stole second base. The fourth batter for MSU was junior Mary Kate DiVirgilio, who sent a double into left center, allowing Padilla to score. A wild pitch sent Grant home and advanced DiVirgilio to third. DiVirgilio crossed home plate to score the third run on a fielder's choice.
UCLA took advantage of their first offensive opportunity of the game with five runs of three homers. With a runner on first, Stephany LaRosa homered to left field. The third run of the matchup came as Samantha Camuso rounded the bases with a long ball into left field. The third homer came off the bat of Kellie Fox and allowed the fourth and fifth run for the Bruins.
UCLA kept the offensive momentum on their side in the second inning, notching six more runs. With runners on first and second, a single by Andrea Harrison and then an error on MSU allowed a Bruin to reach home. Back-to-back walks reloaded the bases and scored a seventh run for UCLA, then Camuso singled through the left side bringing home two batters. There were Bruins on each base when Fox sent a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing the runner on third to cross home plate. The bases stayed loaded when Ally Carda was hit by a pitch and the final run of the inning came as Talee Snow put out a sacrifice fly to center field.
A two-home run third expanded the Bruin lead to 11 in the third. After LaRosa struck out swinging, B.B. Bates rounded the bases with a homer into center field. Dani Yudin was on first after being walked with Fox shot the second home run into center field, scoring two more runs for UCLA.
Senior Rebecca Rogers and the Spartan defense didn't allow a run in the fourth inning, but MSU couldn't capitalize in the top of the fifth and the game ended 14-3. Freshman Carly Nielsen was the starting pitcher for Michigan State, posting one strikeout and allowing five runs in one inning. Sophomore Cassee Laynereplaced Nielsen in the second inning. She faced 12 batters and allowed six runs on three hits. In two innings of work, Rogers posted two strikeouts and gave up three runs.
Michigan State will return to Fullerton, Calif. on Friday (March 9) for back-to-back games against Cal State Fullerton and Charleston Southern. MSU and CSF will compete at 6 p.m. (ET) and then the Spartans will take on Charleston Southern at 8 p.m. (ET).
