Michigan State University
Michigan
Spartans Eliminated From Big Ten Softball Tournament
5/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 12, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. - The No. 7 seed Michigan State softball team suffered a 13-0 setback to No. 2 seed Michigan (38-13) in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament Friday at the Sharon J. Drysdale Field on the campus of Northwestern University.
Spartan starting pitcher Rachel Turney (17-13) allowed four hits and four earned runs in the loss, while Lesley Noel and Megan Hair combined to allow eight hits and nine runs in relief. Nicole Mercado produced State's only hit against Wolverine hurler Jennie Ritter, who improved to 25-6 with the victory.
Michigan took an early 2-0 advantage behind back-to-back solo home runs from Becky Marx and Samantha Findlay in the home half of the first inning.
The Green and White offense managed just one base runner through the first three frames before the Wolverine offense exploded for an eight-run third inning, behind a three-run home run from right fielder Stephanie Bercaw. Michigan sent 14 batters to the plate and faced all three Spartan pitchers in the inning.
Mercado singled to lead off the Spartan half of the fourth inning; however, State was unable to capitalize as Ritter forced consecutive outs to hold the 10-run lead. Michigan added to its lead when pinch hitter Angie Danis launched a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
"We were glad to qualify for the tournament and obviously, we're disappointed with the outcome," Spartan head coach Jacquie Joseph said. "Michigan is a great team that's playing its best softball of the year right now."
Michigan State (34-25) now awaits word to see if it will receive an at-large bid for the NCAA Regionals when selections are announced live on ESPNEWS Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (ET).
Spartan Notebook
* Michigan State was held to one hit in the Big Ten Tournament loss to Michigan on Friday. The mark tied a season-low previously set against Hofstra (3/11) and Penn State (4/21).
* The Spartan pitching staff allowed season-highs in hits (13), home runs (4) and earned runs (12) against the Wolverines.
* Rachel Turney allowed two home runs against Michigan on Friday which tied a season-high set on May 6, also against the Wolverines.
