Friday, March 12
Leesburg, Fla
2 pm
Michigan State University
5
vs
2
Illinois
Spartans Earn 5-2 Win In Series Finale
3/12/2021 4:51:00 PM | Softball
East Lansing, Mich. -- Michigan State posted a 5-3 victory over [RV] Illinois on Friday, 5-2, holding off a bases-loaded situation for the Illini in the seventh inning.
The win allows MSU to take the series finale after falling in both ends of a Thursday doubleheader to Illinois, which was receiving votes in both national polls this week. Illinois is now 7-2 on the year, while MSU is 3-6.
The Spartans got a 3-for-3 effort from Mackenzie Meech at the plate, while both Caitie Ladd and Camyn Wincher had a pair of base hits each. Wincher had two RBI, while both Meech and Caitie Ladd had two.
Sarah Ladd picked up her first win in the circle (1-2), going 4.1 innings and allowing just two earned runs, allowing just one hit and a walk. Ashley Miller earned her first collegiate save in her 2.2 innings, striking out three.
The Spartans play three games over the next two days against Minnesota to wrap up the Big Ten's stay in Leesburg. The Saturday doubleheader begins at 4:15 pm.
STATS AND NOTES
The win allows MSU to take the series finale after falling in both ends of a Thursday doubleheader to Illinois, which was receiving votes in both national polls this week. Illinois is now 7-2 on the year, while MSU is 3-6.
The Spartans got a 3-for-3 effort from Mackenzie Meech at the plate, while both Caitie Ladd and Camyn Wincher had a pair of base hits each. Wincher had two RBI, while both Meech and Caitie Ladd had two.
Sarah Ladd picked up her first win in the circle (1-2), going 4.1 innings and allowing just two earned runs, allowing just one hit and a walk. Ashley Miller earned her first collegiate save in her 2.2 innings, striking out three.
The Spartans play three games over the next two days against Minnesota to wrap up the Big Ten's stay in Leesburg. The Saturday doubleheader begins at 4:15 pm.
STATS AND NOTES
- Kendall Kates had an RBI double in the home half of the first to score Caitie Ladd to get MSU on the board.
- Caitie Ladd doubled the Spartan lead when she came back up to bat in the bottom of the second, bringing home Joanna Bartz who reached on a leadoff walk.
- Illinois cut into the lead with a run in the top of the third after a hit batter and an error, and Bella Loya reached on a fielder's choice to bring home Avery Stiner.
- Illinois scored a single run in the top of the fifth, but MSU got it right back in the home half of the frame on a base hit by Meech, and then Wash reached on an error. Camryn Wincher laced a single up the middle to bring home Meech and leave both runners in scoring position, and Joanna Bartz's sac fly brought home Wash for a 5-2 lead.
- The Illini tried to rally in the top of the seventh. The first two batters reached, and a one-out infield single loaded the bases. Miller got a ground ball forceout at home and a fly ball to shallow right to preserve the victory.
- Sarah Ladd got the start and went 4.1 innings, surrendering just one base hit and one walk while striking out five. Ashley Miller earned the save, scattering four base hits without allowing a run and striking out three.
Players Mentioned
3B
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
2B/SS
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
1B/UTL
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
3B/SS
/ SoftballA Road Less Traveled | Spartans All-Access
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