Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State Events :: Official Athletic Site
Mar. 29, 1997
MSU Softball Sweeps Three-Game Series From Minnesota
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The 12th-ranked Michigan State softball team defeated No. 11 Minnesota three times today at Old College Field by scores of 3-1, 11-4, 3-2.
The Spartans, who swept the season series from the Gophers for the first time since 1983, improved to 33-8 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten. The Gophers are 21-9 overall and 0-3 in the conference.
The first game was a completion of Friday's suspended contest. The game ended yesterday because of rain with MSU leading 3-0 with two outs in the top of the fifth inning. When the two teams resumed play today, Minnesota scored its only run of the game in the fifth inning.
Senior Stacey Smith picked up the victory, allowing just three hits and striking out six batters. Freshman Margaret Hollis blasted a two-run homer to left center in the first inning to give MSU a lead.
In game two, the Spartans busted open for 11 runs on 15 hits, led by senior Tammie Gallis' 3-for-4 performance and three RBI. Senior Keri Lemasters contributed three hits, scored three runs and knocked in a run for the Spartans.
Smith picked up her 18th victory of the season, scattering nine hits, walking just one and striking out four batters.
In the final game of the series, Minnesota led 2-0 after four and a half innings before MSU rallied. Freshman Carrie Fry opened the fifth inning with a single to right center and advanced to second on a sacrifice by rookie Stephanie Giroux. Fry scored MSU's first run of the game when junior Stefanie Noffsinger singled to center field.
The Spartans tied the game at two in the sixth inning when Hollis singled to left center to lead off the inning. Sophomore Tiffany Yager came in to run for Hollis and scored the tying run on a double by Smith.
In the bottom of the seventh inning Giroux led off the inning with a triple to right field. Minnesota intentionally walked Noffsinger and Carrie Carpenter to load the bases with no outs and Lemasters at the plate. Lemasters drew a walk to score Giroux with the winning run.
Noffsinger picked up the complete-game victory, allowing just five hits and one earned run for her fourth win of the season.
The Spartans will host Central Michigan on Wednesday, April 2, at 2 p.m., in a doubleheader at Old College Field.