Softball Starts Seven-Game Homestand on Tuesday

Softball Starts Homestand on Tuesday

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State softball team is set to play seven home games in seven days starting with a doubleheader against Detroit Mercy on Tuesday, March 29. MSU will play Toledo in a single non-conference game on Wednesday, March 30 before welcoming Ohio State for a home Big Ten series on Friday, April 1 through Sunday, April 3. The Spartans will remain at home for a game against Oakland on Tuesday, April 5. All dates and times are subject to change due to weather.

Catch all of the action broadcasted live on BTN+ or follow along with live stats on msuspartans.com.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Tuesday, March 29
Detroit Mercy – 4:00 p.m.
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Detroit Mercy – Game two
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Wednesday, March 30
Toledo – 5:00 p.m.
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Friday, April 1
Ohio State – 6:00 p.m.
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Saturday, April 2
Ohio State – 2:00 p.m.
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Sunday, April 3
Ohio State – 1:00 p.m.
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THE OPPONENTS
Detroit Mercy
Detroit Mercy is 0-19 this season and has been outscored by opponents 157-33. Head Coach Marc Gillis is in his first full season and third season overall as leader of the Titans. The team went 2-2 last season before the remainder of the season was canceled. In 2020 the team went 2-21 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Detroit Mercy looked to be on the rise in 2019 following a trip to the NCAA regionals. As a team the Titans have posted a .925 fielding percentage this season with 35 errors.

Detroit Mercy's offense is led by Taylor Gauthier who is hitting .286 this season. Gauthier leads the team with 12 hits and a pair of stolen bases. Both Renee Trotman and Jaiden Lara have hit two home runs. Leena Mortensen is the team's RBI leader with five. As a team the Titans are hitting .183.

Detroit Mercy pitchers have combined for an 8.05 ERA through 108.2 innings pitched. Liz Murphy has gotten the most work on the team with 63.1 innings pitched in 14 appearances. Murphy owns an 8.84 ERA and a 2.35 WHIP with opponents hitting .412 against her this season. Olivia Warrington and Chloe Spitzer could also see action for Detroit Mercy in the doubleheader.

Toledo
Toledo is 8-16 this season and has lost three straight heading into Wednesday's contest at Secchia Stadium. Toledo's last two games against Buffalo were canceled. The Rockets are led by Joe Abraham in his fourth season as head coach. Toledo is 0-4 against Power 5 opponents this season. As a team Toledo has posted a .933 fielding percentage this season with 43 errors.

Dayna Denner is the lead hitter for Toledo, hitting .439 with a 1.285 OPS on the season. Denner leads the team in hits (29), runs (15), doubles (5), home runs (5), RBI (19) and on-base percentage (.543). Aubrey Reed is the second leading batter on the team with a .300 average and a .889 OPS. Jenna Kroll has four home runs to her name and is second on the team in hits (19) and RBI (14).

Sophia Knight leads the Rockets in innings pitched with 47 so far this season. Knight has struck out a team-best 42 batters and owns a 5.66 ERA in 14 appearances. Knight has thrown four complete games as opponents hit .320 against her. Makenna Durieux has posted a team-low 3.35 ERA over 31.1 innings and six starts.

Ohio State
Ohio State is 20-6 this season and is currently receiving votes in the latest NFCA poll. The Buckeyes will face Kentucky on Tuesday, March 29, prior to arrival in East Lansing. Ohio State went 2-1 against Indiana last weekend to open Big Ten play, winning 6-2 and 6-4. Indiana took a 17-5 win in game two of the series. Head Coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly is in her 10th season at Ohio State having led the Buckeyes to the NCAA regional on four occasions from 2016-2019. Ohio State owns a .965 fielding percentage in 2022 with 23 errors.

McKenzie Bump is hitting a team best .452 through 14 games played this season while Sam Hackenbracht brings the power with eight home runs. Hackenbracht is second on the team with a .370 batting average and leads the team in RBI with 26. Niki Carver is second on the team in long balls with six while Meggie Otte has four to her name along with 22 RBI.

Lexie Handley is the team's top pitcher owning a 1.86 ERA over 94.1 innings of work. Handley has struck out 120 batters, holding opponents to a .177 batting average. Handley also comes on to close games out with three saves on the season. Handley has pitched 10 complete games in 11 starts. Also in the rotation for Ohio State is Emily Ruck and Allison Smith. Smith has made nine starts, throwing 44 innings to the tune of a 3.66 ERA. Ruck has limited batters to a .202 batting average.

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