Michigan State University
14-20, 2-7
Michigan
33-7, 8-1
MSU Falls in Tough 1-0 Decision at Michigan
4/11/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
SPARTAN SYNOPSIS
The Spartans dropped their second straight contest, a 1-0 loss at Michigan in Ann Arbor on Wednesday evening.
Kristina Zalewski and Michigan freshman pitcher Megan Beaubien engaged in a pitchers duel - Zalewski surrendered just five base hits in the contest, striking out three and did not allow a walk - but the first-year pitcher was spectacular, overcoming an early high pitch count to surrender just two base hits to the visitors, striking out seven.
Ebonee Echols had a first-inning triple, the 22nd of her career to move her into a tie for third place in the all-time Big Ten career standings.
The lone run of the game came for the Wolverines in the fourth, when they put together three base hits to bring across pinch runner Nikki Wald.
The Spartans (14-20, 2-7 B1G) had one other hit, a sixth-inning two-out single from Lea Foerster.
The Spartans head to State College this weekend for a three-game series vs Penn State. The first game of the series will be Friday at 6 pm.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Ebonee Echols hit her 22nd career triple (and second of the season) in the first inning
- Kristina Zalewski surrendered just five hits, striking out three in the hard-luck loss. She did not walk a batter.
QUOTABLE
"I thought we competed well today in all aspects of the game - we were composed, but just couldn't get to [Megan] Beaubien. Kristina Zalewski pitched an exceptional game, but our offense just couldn't get anything going on Beubien. I thought we had some really good at-bats early and made her work, but she responded and held us off the board. If we take this approach into the weekend, I will be very happy - I will give us a chance to win any game that we approach the way we did today."
Head Coach Jacquie Joseph
STATS AND STORYLINES
- Ebonee Echols laced a two-out triple up the right field line in the top of the first, her 22nd career triple. She moved into a tie for third place all-time in the Big Ten in career triples.
- The Wolverines threatened in the bottom of the fourth. Tera Blanco led off the inning with a single, and after a fielder's choice, Madison Uden legged out an infield single to put runners at first and second. Katie Alexander put the ball in play to force Uden out at second, but inch runner Nikki Wald just beat the relay throw home to put the first run on the board. Aidan Falk continued the rally with a single into left, but Zalewski got out of the inning with a comebacker to the circle.
- Zalewski surrendered just five base hits in her six innings of work, striking out three and did not walk a batter.
- The Spartans have played 13 one-run games this season, and is now 6-7 in those games. MSU is 4-15 when scoring two runs or fewer.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Beaubien (24-2)
L: Zalewski, Kristina (7-9)
Batting:
3B: Echols, Ebonee 1
Base Running:
CS: Eveland, Kaitlyn 1
HBP: Eveland, Kaitlyn 1
Batting:
RBI: Alexander 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Gonzalez 1
SB: Canfield 1
