Michigan State University
Oakland
Green And White Hurlers Split With Grizzlies
4/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 4, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Meghan Darhower went 2-for-3 at the plate with the game-winning RBI in State's 1-0 shutout vs. Oakland on Tuesday. The Grizzlies claimed victory in game one of the day in a 3-2 eight-inning effort. Michigan State improved to 23-11 in the split, while Oakland stands at 9-14 for the season. Rachel Turney tallied her 10th win of the year in the circle for MSU, while Meghan Darhower, Nicole Mercado and Nikki Nicosia each added three hits for the Spartan offense.
In game one, Oakland posted two runs in the top of the first behind a single from Julie Owen. Held hitless through the first three innings, Nikki Nicosia broke the streak for the Green and White offense with a single to left in the bottom half of the fourth. Nicole Mercado reached first on a bunt down the third base line, followed by a Dayna Feenstra single, scoring Nicosia and Mercado for a 2-2 deadlock.
Although State threatened with runners on second and third in the seventh, both teams remained scoreless through regulation play, as the Spartans entered their second extra inning contest of the year.
After a double to center placed runners on second and third in the eighth, Spartan reliever Megan Hair forced consecutive foul-outs, however Cammie Knorr managed an RBI-single giving OU a 3-2 advantage.
Despite placing a runner on third, MSU was unable to produce enough offense to re-take the lead, as Oakland forced a groundout to the shortstop securing the 3-2 win.
State committed two errors in the loss, out-hitting the Grizzlies 7-6. Mercado led the Spartan offense with one run and two hits, while Nikki Nicosia added one run and one hit at the plate. In the loss, starting pitcher Lesley Noel and Hair allowed six hits and three earned runs combined.
Game two proved to be an offensive struggle, as State posted two hits against three by OU through the first four innings of play. In the top half of the sixth, Oakland managed a single to center, however Spartan catcher Kara Weigle gunned down a Grizzly steal attempt for the final out of the inning.
The lone run of game two came in the bottom half of the sixth, when Mercado sparked the Green and White offense smashing a two-out, line-drive double to right field. Darhower followed with her second hit of the contest, scoring Mercado for the deciding 1-0 lead.
In the seventh, Turney posted two strikeouts en route to her 10th win of the season. Darhower paced the Spartan offense with two hits, while Mercado added one hit and one run in the winning effort.
"I am concerned with the inconsistencies our team continues to have," head coach Jacquie Joseph said. "We are heading into the heart of our Big Ten Conference season and need to play for a win in every game."
The Spartans host Purdue in a two-game series beginning Friday, at 4 p.m. continuing at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Indiana will travel to Old College Field on Sunday, playing a doubleheader scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.
