Michigan State University
3-0
Morehead State
2-2
Zalewski, Goranson Pitch Spartans to Win, 6-0
2/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Morehead State
DeLand, Florida -- Kristina Zalewski and Dani Goranson combined on a two-hit shutout of Morehead State in Michigan State's first game on Saturday, marking a valiant return from injury for both pitchers.
The Spartans put a pair of runs on the board in the first inning, as Gutknecht led off with an infield single. Foerster laid down a bunt to move Gutknecht to second, and legged it out for a safe call at first. A wild pitch advanced both runners, and Sanders flied out to right to plate Gutknecht for a 1-0 lead. After Kujawa drew a walk, Long came in and grounded out to second, scoring Foerster for the two-score lead.
MSU plated three more in the bottom of the third. Lea Foerster (above) led off with a single to left, and she moved to third on a sacrifice by Stephanie Sanders and a groundout by Kassidy Kujawa. McKenzie Long followed with a four-pitch walk, and immediately stole second to put runners at second and third. Sydney Heath pinch-hit for Alyssa McBride, and reached on an error by the second baseman, which sent home both both runners. McBride re-entered to run for Heath, and scored on a single to right by Stoffer, but the catcher was then caught in a rundown for the third out of the inning.
After Jaccquie Reiser was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the fourth, she stole second then advanced to third on a groundout by Friemuth. Gutknecht came to the plate and lined out to left, scoring Reiser for a 6-0 lead.
Dani Goranson came on to pitch for MSU in the top of the fifth, spelling Zalewski who went four innings, striking out a career-high seven and did not allow a run. Goranson's outing was a successful one as well, going three innings and surrendering just one seventh-inning single. She struck out four, facing just one batter over the minimum.
Overall on the day, Foerster went 2-for-3, the lone Spartan with multiple hits. Gutknecht, Sanders, Stoffer, and Long each had an RBI.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Zalewski, Kristina (1-0)
L: GROSSMANN, M. (1-1)
S: Goranson, Dani (1)
Batting:
2B: Reiser, Jacquie 1
RBI: Gutknecht, Sarah 1 ; Sanders, Stephanie 1 ; Long, McKenzie 1 ; Stoffer, Ellie 1
SH: Sanders, Stephanie 1
SF: Gutknecht, Sarah 1 ; Sanders, Stephanie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Gutknecht, Sarah 1 ; Foerster, Lea 2 ; Long, McKenzie 1 ; McBride, Alyssa 1 ; Reiser, Jacquie 1
SB: Reiser, Jacquie 1
HBP: Reiser, Jacquie 1
