Michigan State University
Iowa
Spartans Split Conference Doubleheader Vs. Iowa
4/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 16, 2006
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Despite two rain delays and heavy rain throughout the final innings of play, the Spartan (30-14, 8-2 Big Ten) softball team split a Big Ten doubleheader vs. Iowa (28-16, 6-4) on a rainy Sunday in Iowa City. MSU fell 4-1 in game one, and rebounded with an 8-4 victory in the series finale. Rachel Turney improved to 15-6, while Nicole Mercado paced the Spartan offense posting five hits, one run and one RBI for the day. Caitlin Mahoney added three hits at the plate, while Traci Nicosia posted two RBI vs. the Hawkeyes.
Iowa posted the first run of the day on a single to center field, scoring Rachel West in the bottom of the second inning. UI extended its lead to 3-0 behind back-to-back RBI-singles from Emily Gerlick and Steph Ackerson with two outs in the inning.
Neither team marked the scoreboard, until the Hawkeye half of the sixth, when UI's fourth run crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly to the Spartan left fielder.
Needing an offensive spark, Erin Harvey reached on an infield single in the top of the seventh and was replaced by pinch runner Abby Lincoln on the bases. After consecutive outs, Kara Weigle singled to left, placing runners on first and second for Nicole Mercado at the plate. Mercado singled to right, scoring Lincoln for State's first run of the game. Despite the rally, Iowa recorded the final out of the inning on a fly ball to the right fielder, securing the 4-1 conference victory.
Both MSU and Iowa managed six hits in game one, while the Spartan defense committed one error compared to an errorless game in the field by the Hawkeyes. Mercado led the Green and White offense going 3 for 4, adding the lone RBI of the game.
With two outs in the second inning, Iowa posted its first run of game two when Baugh lined an RBI-single to center field for a 1-0 advantage. State looked to answer in the bottom half of the second, when Traci Nicosia singled and Dayna Feenstra recorded her 12th double of the season, putting runners on second and third. Pinch runner Jenny Poff replaced Feenstra on the bases, before an RBI-single from Harvey scored Nicosia for a 1-1 tie.
With runners on the corners, Iowa intentionally walked Mercado, loading the bases for Mondo at the plate. Mondo reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Poff and Harvey for a 3-1 Spartan lead. Down two runs in the third, Iowa managed one run on a shallow fly ball to left field, nearing the lead at 3-2.
In a heavy downpour, Iowa platted two runs in the top of the fifth, regaining the lead at 4-3. With the threat of a third rain delay, Caitlin Mahoney reached on a single to left field and Weigle walked in the Spartan half of the fifth. Mahoney and Weigle scored on a Feenstra single and throwing error by the Hawkeye defense, for a 5-4 Michigan State lead.
The Green and White defense took the field in the top of the sixth, where Iowa loaded the bases with two outs. Spartan shortstop Meghan Darhower threw a bullet to Feenstra at first, recording the final out of the inning, holding the one-run lead.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, State tacked on three runs behind a Mahoney RBI-double and Traci Nicosia RBI-single for the deciding 8-4 advantage. Turney faced just four batters in the top of the seventh, securing the 8-4 Big Ten victory.
Mercado added two hits and one run in game two, while Mahoney went 2 for 4 with two runs and one RBI. MSU played its 12th errorless game of the year, while the UI defense recorded two errors in the field.
Michigan State will play a non-conference doubleheader vs. Detroit, Tuesday at Old College Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
