Spartan Softball Suffers Shutout Loss to Nittany Lions

April 21, 2006

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Michigan State managed just one hit off of Nittany Lion hurler Missy Beseres on Friday, suffering a 1-0 setback in Big Ten action at Penn State. The Spartans fall to 32-15, 8-3 in league play, while PSU improves to 29-11, 4-7 against conference opponents. Rachel Turney scattered seven hits and struck out three in the complete game loss, while Nicole Mercado tallied State's only hit of the day.

In the bottom of the first inning, an error in the Spartan outfield allowed Ashley Esparza to reach second for PSU's first base runner of the game. With two outs, Danielle Kinley reached on MSU's second error of the inning, scoring Esparza for a 1-0 lead.

With one out in the third, Mercado singled to center field and advanced to second on Gina Mondo's seventh sacrifice bunt of the season, but was stranded when Meghan Darhower flied out to end the Spartan threat.

In the home half of the fifth, pinch hitter Meghan Wolfer hit a ball through a gap in the Spartan infield for PSU's sixth hit of the game, and advanced to second on a Jen Williams sacrifice bunt down the third base line. With a runner in scoring position, Esparza popped up to Caitlin Mahoney at third for the final out of the inning, keeping the Nittany Lions from adding to their lead.

Penn State allowed just one batter to reach base over the final four innings of play, as Beseres struck out nine and held MSU to just five base runners on the day.

"I was disappointed we didn't play more inspired today," noted Michigan State head coach Jacquie Joseph after the game, just the Spartans' third loss in eleven Big Ten games this season.

MSU faces Penn State in the final game of the conference series Saturday at noon, then continue Big Ten play with a doubleheader at Ohio State Sunday at noon.