Michigan State University
Hofstra
Spartans Eliminated At USF-Adidas Spring Break Invitational
3/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 11, 2006
CLEARWATER, Fla. -
Michigan State vs. Hofstra Final Stats
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The Michigan State softball team lost in the opening game of bracket play at the USF-Adidas Spring Break Invitational, Saturday night vs. the Hofstra Pride. With the loss, State falls to 12-6 on the year, and is eliminate from the tournament playoffs. Traci Nicosia tallied MSU's only hit of the contest, while pitchers Lesley Noel and Megan Hair allowed five hits and two runs in the loss.
Spartan pitcher Lesley Noel held the Pride bats hitless until the top of the third, however consecutive hits and an error in the Spartan outfield would put runners on first and second with one out. A failed pickoff attempt at second would score the first runner of the inning, followed by an RBI single to center, as Hofstra took the 2-0 upperhand.
Pitcher Courtney Oliver would down the side in the Spartan half of the fourth, before Green and White head coach Jacquie Joseph replaced Noel with freshman Megan Hair on the mound.
State would threaten in the top of the sixth, when with runners on second and third, Nicole Mercado drew a walk, loading the bases for second baseman Gina Mondo. Mondo would reach on a fielder's choice by the Pride third baseman, as the bases remained loaded for Dayna Feenstra. Feenstra would strikeout on three straight pitches, followed by a groundout to the shortstop by Traci Nicosia for the third out of the inning.
Needing two runs to tie in the seventh, Meghan Darhower would strikeout and Mahoney would groundout to short, before pinch hitter Jessica LeFevre would step to the plate with two outs. LeFevre would walk, however the Pride defense would hold strong, as Weigle grounded out to short for the final out of the contest.
State returns to action March 17, when it faces Chattanooga in a 9 a.m. match-up at the Florida Atlantic Tournament in Boca Raton, Fla.
