April 16, 2008

Box Score

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - The Michigan State softball team fell just short to Central Michigan, 3-2, Wednesday afternoon at the CMU Softball Complex. Senior pitcher Lesley Noel entered the circle in the bottom of the fourth inning with a potential run on first, while CMU led 3-2. The Spartans retired the next nine straight batters, giving the Spartans a chance to comeback in the top of the seventh. But with the bases loaded, a pop fly in the infield ended the game and gave the Chippewas a 3-2 win. Michigan State drops to 21-19 overall, while Central Michigan improves to 16-13.

CMU held a 3-2 advantage heading into the top of the seventh, and after two quick outs, Mejia singled to left field to put the tying run on base. Karen Fox took first as a pinch runner. Caitlin Mahoney saw four consecutive balls go by and took first, and Megan Hair came in to run. Gina Mondo took a seven-pitch at bat, in which the last clipped her hands as she loaded the bases.

Central Michigan put a run on the board in the bottom of the first run to take the initial 1-0 lead.

But Michigan State answered with a run in the second inning, compliments of a bobbled fly ball to Central Michigan's center fielder, Tracy Kaatz. Jessica LeFevre reached second and Traci Nicosia reached third, while Jessica Bracamonte scored on the error. A Nikki Nicosia walk loaded the bases for Kara Weigle, who nearly extended the Spartans' lead had it not been for CMU second baseman's stellar snag of her line drive.

With the game tied 1-1, the Spartans faced a jam as Central Michigan loaded the bases with no outs. Kelly Confer made a quick play as Kaatz grounded right back to the pitcher, who made the toss to Caitlin Mahoney to get the out at home. Mahoney then attempted to turn a double play at first, but a fielding error allowed Kaatz to reach second and a run to score.

Mejia opened the third inning with a solo home run, crushed over the left-field fence, and tied the game up at 2-2.

Kelly Confer was relieved from her pitching duties in the bottom of the third inning, as Shae Bass entered the circle. Confer gave up six hits in two innings, while striking out two Chippewas. Neither of the runs scored under her command were earned. Bass gave up just one hit in the third, but at a costly time as CMU reclaimed the advantage, 3-2.

After a fruitless top of the fourth for the Green and White, Michigan State brought in Noel with runners at first and third, after CMU ripped off two hits to open the bottom of the fourth. Noel made quick work of saving the Spartans from falling behind more than a run, with a strikeout and two ground outs.