Michigan State University
2-6
Mercer
6-1
Bats Quiet in to 2-1 Loss to Mercer
2/17/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score | PDF Box: Mercer 3, MSU 1 
SPARTAN SYNOPSIS
Michigan State dropped its fourth straight game, its offensive woes continuing in a 2-1 loss to Mercer.
Spartan pitching continued its strong string of performances, however - sophomore Jordan Watson turned in a complete game for MSU in the circle, surrendering just five hits, striking out three without issuing a walk. She is now 1-1 on the season with two complete games.
The Spartans (2-6) scored on a triple steal in the second inning, as MSU had the bases loaded for the second straight frame. A missed squeeze bunt sent the runners in motion, and Melanie Baccay got caught in a rundown between second and third. She would score on the play, advancing the runners from first and second - but those runners were stranded.
MSU had the bases loaded in the first and second innings, and had two runners on base in the seventh inning as well. MSU also committed two errors in the game.
Mercer starter Lauren O'Dell went five innings, allowing two hits, one run, surrendering three walks and striking out two. None of the Bears batters had more than one hit in the game, and Abby Walsh and Megan Lane had the RBI's for Mercer
MSU has just one game remaining in the Gamecock Invitational vs. Southern Illinois. That game will begin at 10 am on Sunday morning.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Lea Foerster went 2-for-3 with a stolen base
- Jordan Watson fell to 1-1 on the season with a second straight complete-game effort. She surrendered just five base hits, striking out three.
STATS AND STORYLINES
- After Mercer took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, the Spartans tied it up in the bottom of the frame. MSU had the bases loaded with no outs in the first and couldn't convert, and then loaded the bases with one out in the second after Baccay reached on an error, Katie Quinlan walked, and Lea Foerster singled to center. The Spartans executed a triple steal, getting Baccay across the plate to tie the game.
- An error allowed Laureanne Sanchez to reach base with one out in the top of the third, and after she stole second, she came around to score on an RBI double by Abby Walsh to give Mercer a 2-1 lead in the third.
- Jordan Watson needed just six pitches to retire the side in the top of the fourth, and settled in for her second complete games in as many starts.
- MSU had a pair of baserunners in the seventh inning - a leadoff single by Lea Foerster was her second hit of the day, and a walk to Lexi White put a pair of runners on base if MSU could keep the rally going. The Bears worked out of the jam to hold on for the 2-1 victory.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Lauren O'Dell (1-0)
L: Watson, Jordan (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Abby Walsh 1 ; Caroline Taylor 1
RBI: Abby Walsh 1 ; Megan Lane 1
SH: Emma Andrew 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Laurenne Sanchez 1 ; Kate Buckland 1
SB: Meghan Rud 1 ; Laurenne Sanchez 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Baccay, Melanie 1
SB: Foerster, Lea 1 ; Baccay, Melanie 1 ; Quinlan, Katie 1
HBP: Foerster, Lea 1 ; White, Lexi 1 ; Paxson, Riley 1
