Michigan State University
Miami (Oh)
Turney Tosses No-Hitter In Spartan Sweep On Sunday
3/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 25, 2007
OXFORD, Ohio - Behind hurler Rachel Turney's first career no-hitter in an 8-0 defeat of Miami, and a seven-run seventh inning to steal a 9-8 win against Toledo, the Michigan State softball team (18-13) concluded play at the Miami Invitational with a 3-1 tournament record on Sunday.
Sophomore pitcher Megan Hair started in the circle against the Rockets, allowing four hits and three earned runs in just 1.2 innings of work. In her first relief appearance of the weekend, Turney allowed six hits and two earned runs, while striking out seven to improve to 5-6 for the year.
Kara Weigle was the story of the Spartan offense against UT. The sophomore catcher was 2-for-4 at the plate, adding one run and a team-high four RBI, including the game winner in the seventh. First baseman Dayna Feenstra, shortstop Meghan Darhower and designated player Dana Rosenblatt each delivered two hits in the victory.
Toledo tallied two runs in the top of the first, and MSU evened the score in the bottom half of the frame behind a sacrifice fly by Weigle and solo home run by Feenstra, her third of the season.
The Rockets added one in the second and two in the fifth on a two-run homer by Megan McCauley to extend the lead to 5-2. The Spartans managed just one hit in both the third and fourth innings, and failed to reach base in the fifth, as the Toledo defense commanded the field.
Toledo seemingly put the game out of reach with three runs in the sixth for an 8-2 lead, and Michigan State managed just one base runner in the bottom half of the frame. After Turney downed the side in order in the top of the seventh, the Spartan offense exploded for seven runs on seven hits to claim the comeback victory.
 Kara Weigle contributed eight RBI on Sunday.  | |
Nikki Nicosia drew a leadoff walk and scored on a triple by Weigle, her team-leading eighth of the year. Mahoney followed with an RBI single to center, and advanced to second on a Traci Nicosia single to left field. Confer followed with a pinch-hit single to advance the runners, and Darhower brought home State's third run of the set with a single through the Rocket infield. Rosenblatt doubled to right field, scoring two more Spartan baserunners, and Weigle delivered her second hit of the inning, a two-run single to give MSU the 9-8 victory.
The Spartans scored nine runs on 13 hits, while Toledo managed eight runs on 10 hits in the loss. Each team committed one error in the field.
Turney (6-6) tossed a gem in the final game of the tournament, earning the first no-hitter of her career, while walking four Redhawk batters in the complete-game effort. Turney's no-hitter marks the 20th in school history and second this season, as Hair tallied a no-hit victory against Saint Joseph's on March 6.
Weigle continued her offensive momentum with a 3-for-3 effort, including a grand slam in the fourth inning on her team-leading fourth home run of the year. Mahoney made her first start of the season at catcher, contributing three hits and one run, while second baseman Nicole Mercado also tallied three hits and one run in the victory.
State tallied one run in each of the first two innings, and put the game out of reach with six runs on five hits in the fourth. Traci Nicosia drew a leadoff walk to begin the fourth and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Mercado. Rosenblatt drew a bases-loaded walk, and Weigle followed with a grand slam to left center for the deciding 8-0 Spartan advantage.
Miami committed one error and managed just four baserunners in the contest. MSU tallied eight runs on 10 hits in the five-inning decision.
Michigan State kicks off its home season this Wednesday at Old College Field in a single game against Bowling Green at 3 p.m.
