Michigan State University
7-3
Drexel
1-4
Zalewski Goes the Distance in 1-0 Win Over Drexel
2/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
East Lansing, Mich. - Kristina Zalewski tossed a complete-game shutout, including working out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh, to pitch Michigan State to a 1-0 victory over Drexel in its closing game of the Florida Atlantic Strike Out Cancer tournament in Boca Raton on Sunday. Lindsey Besson had the lone RBI in the game, scoring Shanin Thomas from third in the only offense the game provided.
Michigan State went 3-2 on the weekend, and improved to 7-3 overall. It's the best start to a season since 2006, when the Spartans went 11-3 to start the year
"We had some good results, and it was another week of learning experiences for us," said head coach Jacquie Joseph. "I think in the two games we lost, to Florida Atlantic, that their speed exposed some things that we want to work on defensively. We also saw some quality pitching this weekend - and that won't get easier as the season goes on. Every team is a work in progress, and we are no different. We'll come back and get to work on shoring up some things. I'm really continuing to be encouraged and think we have some great potential."
The Spartans used smallball to get their run across in the second inning. Thomas led off by reaching on an error by the second baseman, and McKenzie Freimuth then reached with a bunt single, sending Thomas to third. Jacquie Reiser laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position, and then Lindsey Besson reached on a bunt single, plating Thomas from third. Pitcher Taylor Lee got McBride (strikeout) and Gutknect (lined out to left) to end the inning, but the Spartans had the slim lead.
It was a lead that the team would need, as it developed into a bit of a pitcher's duel - Zalewski didn't allow a runner past second until the sixth inning, while Lee scattered just five hits and struck out five through the first five innings.
The Dragons threatened in the sixth, loading the bases on two singles and an error, with no outs. Zalewski worked out of the jam, getting Kiana Moreno to ground out on a fielder's choice, and then Alyssa Williamson was called out on an illegal substitution, getting MSU to two outs. Zalewski got out of the inning when she got Sylvia Llamas to fly out to center, and the Spartans maintained their 1-0 lead.
In the top of the seventh, Drexel tried one last time to mount a comeback, and Gabriela Kuroda singled to lead off the inning. Kim Chan lined out back to Zalewski, who made an impressive grab on the play; she wheeled and doubled Kuroda off first.. Baeley Reed grounded out to third to secure the win for the Spartans.
Michigan State heads to Riverside, California for four games next weekend at UC-Riverside. In addition to the host school, the Spartans will take on San Diego and Utah State.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Zalewski, Kristina (4-1)
L: Lee (0-0)
Base Running:
SB: Reed 1
Batting:
RBI: Besson, Lindsey 1
SH: Reiser, Jacquie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Thomas, Shanin 1
SB: Foerster, Lea 1
HBP: Foerster, Lea 1
