Spartan Softball Stopped By Ohio State, 8-4, Saturday

April 11, 2015

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Senior Stephanie Sanders drove in three of the Spartans' four runs as the Michigan State softball team lost to Ohio State, 8-4, Saturday afternoon in the second game of the three-game series.

With warmer temperatures and clear, sunny skies, the Spartans had a home season-high 861 fans pack Secchia Stadium to watch the Big Ten matchup. With the loss, MSU slid to 16-23 overall and 1-10 in B1G action, while OSU improved to 21-16 overall and 5-6 in B1G play.

"I thought it was our game right up until the fourth inning. We had great starting pitching and in the fourth inning, I thought the game turned," MSU head coach Jacquie Joseph said. "When we left the bases loaded it gave them the momentum, and our pitcher was completely different in the top of the fifth. I thought the game turned then and there. We started the game great and just couldn't finish."

The Buckeyes threatened in the top of the first inning. Caitlin Conrad started the threat with a hard hit double to right center and moved to third after a sacrifice bunt. Cammi Prantl reached on a walk, and Maddy McIntyre loaded the bases when she was hit by a pitch with only one out. However, MSU starter Kristina Zalewski got out of the jam by retiring the next two Buckeyes to end the inning on a strikeout and lineout.

Michigan State got on the board in the bottom of the first inning, scoring three runs in the home half of the frame. Sophomore Kassidy Kujawa sparked the rally with a lead off walk. Senior Stephanie Sanders then smacked a home run to right center, for her third home run of the season. MSU took a 3-0 lead when freshman McKenzie Long completed the back-to-back jacks with her fourth home run of the year.

Zalewski retired six-straight Buckeyes in the second and third innings, until Erika Leonard reached on a one-out single in the top of the fourth inning. Bailee Sturgeon later singled to give the Buckeyes two base runners. However, Zalewksi got out of the jam with a fly out.

The Spartans tried to pad their lead in the home half of the fourth when Long led off with a single up the middle. Junior Destinee Luna followed with a fielder's choice. Two batters later, freshman Sydney Heath pinch hit and singled to left to load the bases full of Spartans with two outs, but the threat was thwarted, leaving the home team with a 3-0 advantage.

In the top of the fifth, Ohio State broke through with four runs. Keelia Nester lined a triple down the third base line to start the inning. She scored on a sacrifice fly by Taylor Watkins. Conrad, who reached on a walk, scored on a single through the right side by Prantl to cut the MSU lead to 3-2. With one on, McIntyre hit her ninth home run of the season, putting Ohio State on top 4-3.

The Buckeyes doubled their lead in the top of the sixth inning, taking an 8-3 advantage after plating four runs. The inning was highlighted by a two RBI double to right center by Prantl.

Michigan State did not go down without a fight, as senior Ellie Stoffer lined a single to left to start the seventh inning. She was eliminated from the base paths after a fielder's choice by senior Alyssa McBride, who reached second after a passed ball. A walk loaded the bases and another walk by Sanders brought home McBride to cut the lead to 8-4. With the drama and bases both full, Long smacked a long fly ball to left center that OSU centerfielder Conrad snared just in front of the warning track to end the game.

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Team Stats

McKenzie Long

Stephanie Sanders

Destinee Luna

Ellie Stoffer

Players Mentioned

Sydney Heath

Kassidy Kujawa

McKenzie Long

Destinee Luna

Alyssa McBride

Stephanie Sanders

Ellie Stoffer

Kristina Zalewski