Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
16-22, 0
Ohio State
27-11, 0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Ohio State | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 1 |
Spartans Drop Series Opener to Buckeyes
4/20/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score | PDF Box: OSU10, MSU 2 
SPARTAN SYNOPSIS
Michigan State fell by a 10-2 score in the opening game of a three-game set at Ohio State in five innings.
The Buckeyes rattled off nine hits in the shortened game, blowing open a close game with a four-run third inning, scoring at least one run in every frame to close out the run-rule victory.
Kristina Zalewski took the loss (9-10), going 2 2/3 innings and allowing five runs. She was replaced by Jordan Watson who gave up four runs, and freshman McKenna Gregory gave up the final run.
Lea Foerster had a double and came around to score in the first inning, while Kaitlyn Eveland had a base hit and a walk. Katie Quinlan also had an RBI single for the Spartans (16-22, 4-9 B1G)
The Spartans scored first and trailed just 3-2 after the top of the third, but the Buckeyes blew the game open with a four-run fourth that made it 7-2. The home team hit two home runs and two doubles on the day. Niki Carver had one of each and a pair of RBI, while Becca Gavin had two base hits and two RBI as well. Shelby McCombs had a two-run homer for OSU.
The teams play game two of the series on Saturday at 2 pm.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Lea Foerster had a double and a run scored
- Katie Quinlan had a base hit and an RBI.
QUOTABLE
"We didn't have the execution today in the circle. I liked the way we came out - we scored first, but things didn't go our way. Once Ohio State had the big inning in the third, I thought we got away from doing things that could make us successful and got discouraged. It sounds cliche, but we have to put this behind us and now look to having a better day tomorrow. The game gives you that opportunity to come back tomorrow fresh and to start all over."
Head Coach Jacquie Joseph
STATS AND STORYLINES
- Lea Foerster led off the game with a double to the wall in center field and moved to third on a ground ball by Katie Quinlan. A sac fly by Ebonee Echols brought home Foerster for the 1-0 lead.
- Ohio State one-upped the Spartans in the bottom of the first. A leadoff single by Bailee Sturgeon and a one-out walk to Ashley Goodwin put a pair on for the Buckeyes, and after a fly ball that moved Sturgeon to third, Emily Clark sent a fly ball into right and a misplay allowed both to score.
- MSU trimmed the lead in the top of the third. Melanie Baccay reached on an error to lead off the inning, moved to second on a wild pitch and then third on a foul out by Foerster, and then came home on an RBI single by Katie Quinlan.
- The Buckeyes staged a two-out rally in the bottom of the third. Shelby McCombs was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and a pair of fielder's choices quickly got a pair of outs on the board with Taylor White on first. She stole second and then came around to score on an RBI single by Bri Betschel, and then Becca Gavin rocked a double to center to score a second run in the frame and push the lead to 5-2. The Spartans made a pitching change, going to sophomore Jordan Watson in the circle. She was greeted by a two-run homer by Niki Carver, which made it 7-2 in favor of the home team.
- Watson gave up a single and a homer to lead off the bottom of the fourth, and MSU made another pitching change, bringing on freshman McKenna Gregory. She retired the next three batters in order to keep it at 9-2.
- The Buckeyes closed out the run-rule victory in the fifth. Becca Gavin led off the inning with a walk, and came around to score on a Carver double which made it 10-2, and ended the game.
- After three straight complete game outings, Zalewski lasted just 2 2/3 innings, striking out two and walking three, charged with five earned runs. Watson gave up three earned runs, and Gregory one.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ray, Morgan (15-6)
L: Zalewski, Kristina (9-10)
Batting:
2B: Foerster, Lea 1
RBI: Quinlan, Katie 1 ; Echols, Ebonee 1
SH: Ladd, Caitie 1
SF: Echols, Ebonee 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Foerster, Lea 1 ; Baccay, Melanie 1
CS: Quinlan, Katie 1
Batting:
2B: Gavin, Becca 1 ; Carver, Niki 1
HR: McCombs, Shelby 1 ; Carver, Niki 1
RBI: Sturgeon, Bailee 1 ; McCombs, Shelby 2 ; Clark, Emily 1 ; Betschel, Bri 1 ; Gavin, Becca 1 ; Carver, Niki 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Sturgeon, Bailee 1 ; Goodwin, Ashley 1 ; Gaskill, Carley 1 ; McCombs, Shelby 1 ; White, Taylor 1 ; Betschel, Bri 2 ; Gavin, Becca 2 ; Carver, Niki 1
SB: White, Taylor 1
HBP: McCombs, Shelby 1 ; Betschel, Bri 1
