Michigan State University
Michigan State vs. Tennessee
Spartan Softball Drops Two At Palm Springs Classic
2/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 25, 2007
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - The Michigan State softball team (3-5) dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 1 Tennessee (14-0), and concluded day two at the Palm Springs Classic with a 4-0 loss to No. 15 Washington (10-2) on Saturday evening.
Megan Hair (0-2) earned her second start of the weekend against the Lady Vols, allowing eight hits and three earned runs in the complete-game effort. Tennessee hurler Monica Abbott tossed a complete-game gem, allowing just two hits, while striking out 16 to extend her scoreless streak to 52.1 innings.
Third baseman Caitlin Mahoney and designated player Jessica LeFevre each posted one hit for the Green and White in the loss. Left fielder India Chiles and third baseman Jennifer Griffin each registered a pair of hits for the Lady Vols, while freshman catcher Tiffany Huff added a team high two RBI.
Tennessee scored one run in the top of the second, and added two tallys in the third behind a two-run double from Huff for a 3-0 advantage. Looking to spark the Spartan offense, LeFevre singled and stole second in the bottom half of the frame, however, Abbott posted a strikeout to end the threat. The Tennessee defense held MSU to just one hit through the final four innings to close the 3-0 victory.
Senior hurler Rachel Turney (2-3) started in the circle against No. 15 Washington. Turney struggled in her fifth start of the season, allowing three hits and two earned runs, while walking four in the loss. Junior reliever Lesley Noel gave up five hits and two earned runs in 3.0 innings pitched, while freshman Kelly Confer finished the matchup for the Spartans, holding the Huskies to just three hits and no earned runs in 2.0 innings pitched.
Washington's Danielle Lawrie improved to 7-1 for the year, striking out 11 Spartans in the complete-game effort.
Left fielder Traci Nicosia tallied two hits to lead the Spartans against the Huskies, while right fielder Nicole Mercado and catcher Kara Weigle each contributed one hit for MSU. Ashley Charters led the Huskies at the plate, going 3-for-5 with one RBI.
Washington tallied one run in the top half of the fourth and added three runs in the fifth behind a three-run home run by Lawrie for the deciding 4-0 advantage. Michigan State managed just one hit the remainder of the contest.
Michigan State concludes play at the Palm Springs Classic on Sunday versus Oklahoma State at noon EDT.
