Michigan State University
5-1
UAB
0-5
Spartans Rally for 3-1 Win Over UAB
2/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
SPARTAN SYNOPSIS
Bridgette Rainey struck out a career-high nine batters and Lea Foerster hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning as the Spartan softball team beat UAB 3-1 on Friday night. UAB falls to 0-5 on the season as the Spartans won their second straight.
The Blazers jumped out in the top of the first inning, scoring on a wild pitch - but Rainey was masterful, scattering five hits and keeping the Spartans in the game until Foerster's shot in the sixth gave MSU the lead for good. Both Foerster and freshman Melanie Baccay had two hits in the game, as the Spartans had seven hits in the contest. MSU did have two errors, but none inflicted any damage and the Spartans won both of their games on the day.
Rainey improves her record to 3-1 on the season, and earlier in the day picked up the save when the Spartans defeated Villanova, 7-1. She tossed two shutout innings and struck out three, entering the game with a 3-1 lead before the Spartans blew it open in the sixth.
The Spartans have a pair of games on Saturday, against Southern Illinois at 11:30 am and a 2 pm game vs. North Dakota. With rain in the forecast, please check MSUSpartans.com and MSU's twitter feed (@MSU_Softball) for the most up-to-date game schedule.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Bridgette Rainey threw a complete game, striking out a career-high nine and scattering five hits. She walked three.
- Lea Foerster hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning, and went 2-for-4 with three RBI.
- Melanie Baccay had a pair of hits (2-for-3).
QUOTABLE:
"That's a great win for us - we hung in and refused to get frustrated or get away from our game plan when things weren't going our way. UAB made some really, really impressive defensive plays to steal some base hits, but I was very happy with how everyone kept their poise. The same goes for Bridgette Rainey - she had a couple of innings where she stranded two or three runners because she stuck with it, remained within herself and got the big outs when she needed them. We're continuing to see good things and are impressed with the way our team is really dialed in. We have two more chances tomorrow, and I think everyone is excited to get back out there and keep things going." ."
- Head Coach Jacquie Joseph
STATS AND STORYLINES
- The Blazers put a run on the board in the top of the first, and MSU looked to counter immediately. Foerster led off with a double to deep center (her third double of the season ), and was moved to third on a sac bunt by McKenzie Long. Celeste Wood walked and stole second, putting two in scoring position for Kaitlyn Eveland, who popped out in foul territory; Sarah Gutknecht struck out to end the inning and leave a pair of runners on base.
- MSU pulled ahead in the top of the fifth. After MSU got the first two runners on with singles by Lindsey Besson and Melanie Baccay, Lea Foerster launched a rocket that cleared the right field wall to give the Spartans their first lead of the day, 3-1.
- UAB threatened in the top of the fifth, but Rainey worked out of the jam to strand a pair of batters. In the sixth, the Blazers loaded the bases with two out, but Rainey came back and got the out to keep UAB from getting any more runs across the plate.
- Rainey struck out nine batters, bettering her previous career high of seven, which she had achieved twice (most recently last April at Maryland)
- Foerster had a 2-for-4 performance at the plate - and both were extra-base hits. She had a double in the first inning and the home run in the fifth.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Rainey, Bridgette (3-1)
L: GOODWIN, C. (0-2)
Batting:
2B: MILLSAPS, M. 1
3B: ENGLAND, D. 1
SH: PETREE, A. 1 ; FERNANDEZ, D 1
Base Running:
RUNS: ENGLAND, D. 1
Batting:
2B: Foerster, Lea 1
HR: Foerster, Lea 1
RBI: Foerster, Lea 3
SH: Long, McKenzie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Foerster, Lea 1 ; Callahan, Summer 1 ; Baccay, Melanie 1
SB: Wood, Celeste 1
HBP: Carrasco, Kelcey 1
