Spartans Fall to Wolverines, 8-0

Wednesday, May 2

Secchia Stadium

4:00 PM

Michigan State University

21-25, 7-12

Michigan

41-9, 16-2

Michigan

Michigan State

5/2/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

May 2, 2018

Box Score | PDF Box: Michigan 8, MSU 0

Michigan State vs. Michigan Photo Gallery

SPARTAN SYNOPSIS

Michigan State dropped an 8-0 decision to Big Ten-leader Michigan on Wednesday at Secchia Stadium, halting a five-game winning streak for the Spartans.

Wolverine freshman pitcher Megan Beaubien tossed a two-hit shutout, her second victory over the Spartans this season.

Bridgette Rainey (6-11) got the start in the circle for MSU and went four innings, leaving in the top of the fifth with the bases loaded and no outs. She was charged with a season-high six runs, striking out three and walking two. McKenna Gregory came on in relief and allowed two base hits in one inning of work.

Lindsey Besson and Kelcey Carrasco had the hits for MSU (21-25, 7-12 Big Ten), which had won five straight at home entering today's contest.

For the Wolverines, Nicole Peters had a pair of base hits. Madison Uden, Katie Alexander and Haley Hoogenrad each had two RBI.

QUOTABLE
It's obviously disappointing to drop a game to your in-state rival. A lot of kudos has to go to their pitcher Megan Beaubien - she was good against us the first time, and again today she made us miss a lot. We made contact but weren't squaring up balls. Bridgette Rainey was lights out for us early, and the Michigan lineup made adjustments quicker than we did. I'm looking forward to getting to Maryland with exams in the rear-view mirror and a focus on the games ahead of us."

Head Coach Jacquie Joseph

STATS AND STORYLINES

Michigan recorded their first two hits of the game in the top of the fourth, when Natalie Peters led off with a single through the left side just out of the reach of a diving Caitie Ladd, and then Tara Blanco doubled down the left field line, just kissing fair territory to leave two in scoring position with none out. Rainey got a pop-up from Madison Uden, walked Katie Alexander, and then got Aidan Falk to strike out for the second out of the inning. Haley Hoogenrad stepped in and singled to bring home Peters and Blanco for a 2-0 lead. Thais Gonzales hit a ball deep into the hole at short and just legged it out ahead of the throw from Ladd to score Alexander, which pushed the Wolverine lead to 3-0.

Rainey loaded the bases in the top of the fifth with no outs, and McKenna Gregory came in from the bullpen. She surrendered a first-pitch single to left to Uden that scored two runs to make it a 5-0 Michigan lead. Alexander then stepped in and ripped a shot to the wall in right center, and the throw hit her as she slid into third, allowing her to come home and make it an 8-0 ballgame.