April 19, 2008

Box Score

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Purdue took a 3-0 lead in the first inning with the first of three home runs Saturday afternoon at Old College Field, as the Boilermakers shut out Michigan State (22-20, 6-6) by a score of 9-0. Lesley Noel went down as the pitcher of record for MSU after pitching three innings, while Kelly Confer and Shae Bass also contributed in the circle. Purdue and Michigan split the series, as MSU tallied game one's win, 2-1 on Friday.

Nikki Nicosia roped out a pair of hits, while Gina Mondo also successfully put the ball in play. But Purdue's Suzie Rzegocki shut down the rest of MSU's lineup with eight strikeouts.

After a three-run homer in the first, the Boilermakers played steady defense to keep the Spartans scoreless, while their bats made efficient contact. A three-hit fourth inning extended Purdue's lead to 5-0, as Ashley Barr's double to left field drove in two runners. The Boilermakers picked up two more runs in the sixth on three hits, and put the game away with a pair of home runs in the seventh.

Michigan State had an opportunity to break up the shutout in the bottom of the sixth, when two runners got on base. Nicosia singled up the middle, then Bianca Mejia drew a walk with two outs. A pinch hit by Kristen Aidem yielded the last out.

The Spartans look to rebound against Indiana on Sunday, April 20 with a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. Prior to game one, MSU's six seniors, (Jessica LeFevre, Abby Lincoln, Caitlin Mahoney, Nikki Nicosia, Traci Nicosia, and Lesley Noel), will be honored for their commitment and achievements. Ceremonies will begin at 11:30 a.m.