Spartans Open FIU Classic With 9-1 Win Over Siena

Friday, February 23

Miami, FL

11:15 AM

Michigan State University

4-6

Siena

0-2

Siena College

Michigan State

2/23/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Feb. 23, 2018

Box Score | PDF Box: MSU 9, Siena 1 (6)

SPARTAN SYNOPSIS

Michigan State earned a win in its opener of the FIU Classic on Friday in Miami. Lindsey Besson smacked a two-run walkoff double that helped propel MSU to a 9-1 run in six innings over Siena College.

The Spartans used their bench extensively, as 13 players had at least one plate appearance. Siena, playing just its second game of the season, walked 10 MSU batters, using three pitchers and allowing 10 base hits. Kristina Zalewski tossed a six-inning complete game, striking out seven and walking four, scattering four hits.

Lea Foerster went 3-for-3 on the day, smacking MSU's first home run of the season and adding a double and two RBI. Ebonee Echols went 2-for-4. with a double and two RBI, and Lindsey Besson had a double and two RBI.

The Spartans scored runs in four of six innings, including a four-run second frame, fueled by Foerster's homer.

Freshman first baseman Riley Paxson got her first collegiate base hit in the bottom of the sixth inning that started the two-run rally.

The Spartans take on Boston College at 2:30 pm to wrap up the day's action.

TOP PERFORMERS

Lea Foerster went 3-for-3, including a double and a home run, scoring twice.
Lindsey Besson had a two -run double in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Ebonee Echols went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
Kristina Zalewski tossed a complete six-inning game, her fourth of the season. She struck out four and walked four.

STATS AND STORYLINES

Lea Foerster and Ebonee Echols led off the home half of the first with back to back doubles, giving MSU a 1-0 lead. Lexi White moved Echols to third on a ground ball, and pitcher Maddie McMahon walked the next three batters to push across a run for a 2-0 Spartan advantage.

Melanie Baccay walked to lead off the second inning, and Foerster followed with a home run to dead center to double the MSU advantage, 4-0. With one out on the board, Kaitlyn Eveland and Lexi White each drew four-ball walks, and Carrasco reached base on an error that brought home Eveland for a 5-0 lead. Two more walks - to Caitie Ladd and McKenzie Long - brought two more runs across the plate.

The Saints made a pitching change in the middle of the bottom half of the second inning. Starter Maddie McMahon went 1.1 innings, allowing three hits and walking five in allowing the first five Spartan runs, all earned. Lauren Butts came on in relief, but walked three in the first 2/3 of an inning.

The Saints made another pitching change in the top of the sixth, as Isabelle DeChairo came on. Melanie Baccay walked to lead off the inning, and Katie Quinlan and Echols followed with back-to-back base hits to bring home Baccay for a 7-0 lead.

Zalewski walked two batters to start the top of the sixth, but worked out of the inning on a double play, allowing just one run.

In the bottom of the sixth, Riley Paxon and Caitie Ladd put together back-to-back singles, and McKenzie Long laid down a perfect bunt and reached safely to load the bases. Lindsey Besson laced a double to left center to score two, ending the game on the run rule.