Michigan State University
Oklahoma State
Softball Falls To Oklahoma State, 6-4
2/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 25, 2007
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - The Michigan State softball team (3-6) concluded play at the Palm Springs Classic on Sunday, dropping a 6-4 decision to Oklahoma State (8-8). Sophomore catcher Kara Weigle led the Spartans with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate.
Despite the loss, Michigan State had its best offensive effort of the tournament, posting eight hits and four runs against the Cowgirls. Sophomore hurler Megan Hair (0-3) suffered her third loss of the weekend, allowing six hits and six earned runs in 2.0 innings in the circle. Reliever Lesley Noel threw the final four innings for the Green and White, giving up just three hits and no earned runs. Cowgirl starter Jessica Hoppock and reliever Anna Whiddon combined to allow eight hits and four earned runs in the victory.
Weigle led Michigan State at the plate with three hits and an RBI, while second baseman Gina Mondo contributed one hit and two runs. Outfielders Nicole Mercado, Nikki Nicosia and Traci Nicosia each registered one hit at the plate, and designated player Kelly Confer added one hit, one run and two RBI.
Shortstop Krystle Sanchez led Oklahoma State with a 3-for-3 day at the plate, and catcher Courtney Totte added two hits and a game high three RBI.
Michigan State scored an early run in the first behind an RBI single from Traci Nicosia, but Oklahoma State quickly evened the score with one run in the bottom half of the frame on an RBI single from Totte.
The Cowgirls added four runs on three hits in the second, as Totte led the charge with a two-run single to give Oklahoma State a 5-1 advantage. The Spartans failed to answer in the third, and Oklahoma State added one run on a homer by first baseman Kim Kaye in the bottom half of the frame to push its lead to 6-1.
State added one run in the top half of the fifth as Mondo walked and advanced to second on a ground ball to the Cowgirl pitcher. Mondo stole third, and Weigle singled to right field for the RBI.
Looking for an offensive spark, Mondo began the seventh with a single to center field, and Confer recorded her first career home run, a two-run shot over the left field wall to pull within two of the Cowgirl lead at 6-4. The Oklahoma State pitchers held strong to retire the side and close the 6-4 victory.
Michigan State heads to Plant City, Fla., March 3-4, for its first stop on its 2007 Spring Break road trip. MSU joins St. Joseph's, Lehigh and Harvard at the two-day event. State begins tournament play against St. Joseph's on Friday at 11 a.m.
