Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
20-19, 2-7
Maryland
11-27, 3-6
Spartans Drop Series to Terrapins with 9-8 loss
4/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
SPARTAN SYNOPSIS
Michigan State rallied from a four-run deficit to knot the game in the sixth inning, but gave up a bases-loaded hit by pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning, falling to host Maryland, 9-8, in the bottom half of a Big Ten doubleheader. The Spartans drop the series to the Terrapins 2-1, and fall to 20-19 overall and 2-7 in Big Ten play.
The Spartans got a pair of hits from both McKenzie Long and Ebonee Echols, as both ripped triples to push MSU's team total to a Big Ten-best 16 on the year. Kassidy Kujawa also had a pair of RBI with a two-run home run in the fifth inning.
Kristina Zalewski gave MSU a complete game outing, scattering 13 hits and striking out five.
The Spartans host No. 1 Michigan at Secchia Stadium on Wednesday before welcoming Indiana to East Lansing for a three-game weekend series that begins on Friday.
TOP PERFORMERS
- McKenzie Long hit a triple to go 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored
- Kassidy Kujawa hit her fourth home run of the season, a pinch-hit two-RBI shot in the fourth inning.
- Ebonee Echols extended her team-best hitting streak to 12 games and recorded her Big Ten-best eighth triple of the season
Quotable
"We're shooting ourselves in the foot, getting ourselves out at the plate and giving up runs with some sloppy defense and pitching. We didn't play well enough to beat anyone today. I'm disappointed in the way we pitched and played defense in both games of the doubleheader, and it's something we need to get cleaned up quickly."
Head coach Jacquie Joseph
STATS AND STORYLINES
- MSU came out aggressive in the opening frame, putting three quick runs on the board thanks to a triple by Echols (two RBI) and an RBI single by Kaitlyn Eveland. The home team countered by scoring three runs with just one out in the bottom of the frame, taking advantage of a walk, a hit batter, and a wild pitch. With the bases loaded and still just one out, an infield single followed by a second hit batter brought two more runs across the plate for a 5-3 Maryland lead after the first inning of play.
- With Maryland holding a 7-3 advantage after two innings, MSU pulled within a pair in the top of the fourth on a pinch-hit two-run home run by Kassidy Kujawa. The round-tripper was her fourth of the season and the 18th of her career - good for eighth all-time in the MSU annals .
- Celeste Wood reached on a single in the fifth, and on a fielder's choice by Gutknecht, Wood got into second before the shortstop could step on the base. Echols also reached on a fielder's choice, as the Terps got to third before Wood to eliminate the lead runner on their second try. Kaitlyn Eveland was hit by a pitch to load the bases, bringing up Shanin Thomas. She went ahead in the count 3-0, but Hannah Dewey worked a full count before losing Thomas on the sixth pitch that was far outside, walking in a run to make it 7-6.
- A little flair down the line followed by a bunt single put two on with none out for the home team in the bottom of the fifth. A popped-up bunt attempt and a strikeout got two quick out for the Spartans, but a little blooper into left center scored another run for the Terps to push their lead back to two, 8-6.
- In the top of the sixth, Brenna Nation hit Lea Foerster, and McKenzie Long brought her home with a triple to the wall in right center. The relay throw was far off the mark, and Long came home to tie the game 8-8. With two outs, Nation walked Gutknect and allowed s single to center to Echols , but they were both stranded as the teams entered the seventh inning tied 8-8.
- In the bottom of the seventh, Destiney Henderson led off with a single into the hole at short, and she moved to second on a sac bunt. A single to right put runners on the corners (after a strong throw from right by Celeste Wood kept Henderson at third) with Lindsey Schmeiser coming to bat. The Spartans put her on with an intentional walk, putting the outcome of the game in the hands of junior Emily Libero. On a 2-2 pitch, Zalewski hit Libero to bring the winning run across the plate.
- Echols' eight triple of the season puts her in sole possession of fifth place in the single-season MSU record book.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Brenna Nation (5-14)
L: Zalewski, Kristina (9-10)
Batting:
3B: Long, McKenzie 1 ; Echols, Ebonee 1
HR: Kujawa, Kassidy 1
RBI: Long, McKenzie 1 ; Echols, Ebonee 2 ; Thomas, Shanin 1 ; Kujawa, Kassidy 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Foerster, Lea 1 ; Long, McKenzie 1 ; Wood, Celeste 1 ; Gutknecht, Sarah 2 ; Echols, Ebonee 1 ; Zackrison, Kelly 1 ; Kujawa, Kassidy 1
HBP: Foerster, Lea 1 ; Eveland, Kaitlyn 1
Batting:
2B: Emily Libero 1
RBI: Lindsey Schmeiser 1 ; Emily Libero 1 ; Kristina Dillard 2 ; Kylie Datil 1 ; Destiney Henderson 1 ; Corey Schwartz 1
SH: Corey Schwartz 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lindsey Schmeiser 1 ; Emily Libero 2 ; Hannah Dewey 1 ; Kristina Dillard 1 ; Kylie Datil 1 ; Emma Mires 1 ; Destiney Henderson 1 ; Corey Schwartz 1
HBP: Emily Libero 2 ; Corey Schwartz 1
