Michigan State University
Wisconsin
Green and White Hurlers Down Badgers In Big Ten Action
4/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 15, 2006
MADISON, WIS. - Behind a 14 hit performance by the Green and White offense, MSU posted a 5-4 come-from-behind victory vs. Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon. State improves to 29-13, 7-1 in Big Ten play, while the Badgers fall to 17-16, 3-5 in conference play. After a game one loss to UW, Turney pitched 4.1 innings of relief, allowing just three hits in her 14th win of the year. Caitlin Mahoney went 2 for 4 at the plate with one run and two RBI, while Dayna Feenstra went 3 for 3, posting two RBI in the win. Traci Nicosia added a 2 for 4 effort at the plate, scoring two runs with one RBI on the day.
Consecutive singles by Sam Polito and Theresa Boruta put runners in scoring position in the Wisconsin half of the first. A liner off the bat of Joey Daniels scored both runners for a 2-0 Badger advantage.
With one out in the Spartan half of the second, Kara Weigle singled to center, followed by back-to-back singles from Dayna Feenstra and Dana Rosenblatt to load the bases. The Badger defense forced consecutive groundouts to hold the two-run advantage.
With a runner on second in the third, Wisconsin extended its lead to 4-0 behind a two-run home run from Hnatyk. Spartan reliever Rachel Turney replaced Noel with two outs and runners on the corners. After hitting the first batter to load the bases, Turney recorded a four-pitch strikeout against pinch hitter Liz Klemp for the final out of the Wisconsin third.
Meghan Darhower led-off the bottom of the third with a single to left center, followed by Caitlin Mahoney's fourth home run of the season, a two-run bomb over the center field fence. Traci Nicosia singled and Weigle grounded out to second, advancing the runner on the bases. Feenstra posted an RBI-single to right field, platting Nicosia and narrowing the lead to 4-3.
Looking for an offensive spark, Traci Nicosia singled in the fifth, advancing to second on a Weigle sacrifice bunt. With the tying run on the bases, Feenstra smashed an RBI-double to the center field fence, scoring Nicosia for a 4-4 deadlock.
Turney downed the Badgers in order in the sixth, as MSU looked for its first lead of the series. Nicole Mercado dropped a ball into shallow left field and advanced to second on a Darhower sacrifice with two outs. Wisconsin intentionally walked Mahoney, putting runners on first and second for Traci Nicosia at the plate. Nicosia lined a ball over the Badger infield, scoring Mercado for a 5-4 Spartan lead.
Weigle gunned down a Badger steal attempt, and Turney forced consecutive outs to secure the 5-4 come-from-behind victory in the seventh. MSU out-hit UW, 14-9, in which Darhower, Mahoney, Traci Nicosia and Rosenblatt each posted two hits at the plate.
Lesley Noel allowed five hits and two earned runs, while Turney allowed three hits and no earned runs in 4.1 innings from the circle.
"This was a big game and a big win for us today," Jacquie Joseph said. "I was very happy with the way we competed, both at the plate and in the field."
The Spartans conclude weekend Big Ten action vs. Iowa on Sunday in a doubleheader beginning at noon (CDT) in Iowa City.
