Michigan State University
Wright State
Green And White Softball Rolls Over Wright State
3/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 9, 2006
CLEARWATER, Fla. -
Michigan State vs. Wright State Final Stats
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Michigan State posted 19 hits and 16 runs to defeat the Wright State Raiders 16-6 in game two of pool play at the USF-Adidas Spring Break Invitational, Thursday evening from the EC Moore Complex in Clearwater. Junior first baseman Dayna Feenstra tallied a single-game Spartan record, seven RBI in the win, while center fielder Nikki Nicosia adds record-tying five hits at the plate
Nikki Nicosia sent the first pitch of the contest to the Raider left fielder, Caitlin Mahoney walked and Dayna Feenstra smashed a bomb over the center field fence to begin the Spartan first inning of play. A single to center by Traci Nicosia and single to right from Meghan Darhower would put runners on second and third, as the Spartan threat continued. Gina Mondo would reach on an error by the left fielder, scoring Nicosia as MSU took the 4-0 advantage.
The Raider offense would answer in the bottom of the first, as Hair walked two of the first three batters she faced. A hard hit ball to the Spartan shortstop would score Mary Jane D'Arcy from third; however Hair would post her second strikeout of the inning ending the Raider threat.
Scoring continued for MSU in the second, Feenstra tallied her fourth RBI of the game with a single to center, scoring Nikki Nicosia from second, bettering the Spartan lead at 5-1. State would add three runs, before pinch hitter Jessica LeFevre would record her first collegiate hit and RBI, scoring Darhower. A 10-run second inning would be capped off by a bases-clearing double by Feenstra, her team-leading seventh of the season, adding her seventh RBI of the contest.
State added another run in the top of the third, however the Raider offense caught fire, scoring five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, as the MSU lead held at 15-6. Noel would enter in the fourth, and hold the Raider bats silent in the fifth to secure the 16-6 Michigan State victory.
"I am so excited about the way our team opened up the tournament today, especially our offensive performance," Spartan head coach Jacquie Joseph said. "We need to continue to play with confidence as we look forward to Friday's games."
Nikki Nicosia went a perfect 5-5 at the plate, while Feenstra, Traci Nicosia and LeFevre each added three hits offensively for MSU. Nicole Mercado and designated hitter Kara Weigle posted two RBI each, while Mahoney drew four walks tying the Spartan single-game record for walks in a game.
State returns to action as the second day of pool play continues from Clearwater, Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. when MSU is set to face Long Island University.
