April 18, 2008

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EAST LANSING, Mich. - Senior hurler Lesley Noel threw five strikeouts and had five assists on putouts as she led Michigan State (22-19, 6-5) to a 2-1 victory over Purdue Friday at Old College Field. The Boilermakers dropped to 29-14 overall and 5-4 in league action. The conference foes tangle again tomorrow, April 19, at noon in the series finale.

Holding the Boilermakers to four hits, its the fourth time this season that Noel has allowed less than five hits when throwing a complete game. Noel is now an even 12-12 in the circle. Additionally, Noel's fourth strikeout, coming in the sixth inning, was the 300th of her career.

Michigan State struck early in the bottom of the first and picked up two runs off of Mondo's RBI double down the left-field line. Bianca Mejia and Caitlin Mahoney scored on the play. Mondo's two-base hit was her seventh of the season, and 17th of her career. The runs scored are her 25th and 26th RBI of the season.

Four other Spartans had hits, including Mejia, Kara Weigle, Nikki Nicosia and Jessica LeFevre.

Purdue had some late success in the top of the sixth, picking up a run off of an RBI single to left field by Candace Curtis with one out. But sharp fielding by first baseman Lindsey Hansen and a Noel strikeout wrapped up the inning and left the Boilermakers' tying run on base.