Michigan State University
Villanova
Spartans Drop Two At Day One Of USF-Adidas Invitational
3/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 8, 2007
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Michigan State softball team (9-8) dropped its first two contests at the USF-Adidas Invitational on Thursday, suffering a 3-1 loss to Long Island, and 2-1 defeat to Villanova. Junior outfielder Nikki Nicosia posted three hits on the day, while junior Traci Nicosia and sophomore Gina Mondo each contributed one RBI.
Spartan hurler Rachel Turney allowed two hits and one earned run in the Spartan loss to LIU, while junior Lesley Noel tossed a perfect 3.0 innings in relief.
Sophomore second baseman Gina Mondo led the Green and White with one hit and one RBI, while juniors Nikki Nicosia and Caitlin Mahoney, and sophomore Kara Weigle and senior Meghan Darhower each contributed one hit against the Blackbirds.
Long Island scored two runs in the bottom half of the opening frame on a two-run home run by Randi Gillespie, and added one run in the third on a sacrifice fly by Jessie DePippo for a 3-0 advantage. With one out in the Spartan seventh, Feenstra reached on a fielder's choice, Darhower singled to left, and Nicole Mercado drew a pinch-hit walk to load the bases. Mondo grounded out to the Blackbird second baseman, scoring pinch-runner Megan Hair to pull MSU within two at 3-1. The Spartans failed to further advance the runners, however, and LIU closed the 3-1 win.
Fresh off of her first collegiate perfect game, sophomore Megan Hair made her seventh start of the season for the Spartans in the circle in game two versus Villanova. She allowed three hits and two earned runs in the loss. Noel made her second relief appearance of the day, holding the Wildcats hitless in one inning of work.
Nikki Nicosia contributed a team-best two hits versus Villanova, while Feenstra went 1-for-2 at the plate, including one triple and one run scored. Traci Nicosia brought home MSU's only run of the contest, and Mercado and designated player Dana Rosenblatt each registered one hit for the Spartans.
Villanova scored one run in the opening frame on a sacrifice fly by Jess O'Boyle. Wildcat pitcher Laura Determan held MSU to just two hits through the first five innings, and Villanova added one run in the sixth on an RBI-groundout by Danielle Maricle for a 2-0 upperhand.
State looked to rally in the top of the seventh as Feenstra tallied a leadoff triple, followed by a Traci Nicosia sacrifice fly to score the only Spartan run of the game. With two outs in the inning, Mercado and Rosenblatt tallied back-to-back singles, but Determan forced a groundout to the Wildcat third baseman to close the 2-1 victory.
Michigan State returns to the EC Moore Complex for day two of competition at the USF-Adidas Invitational on Friday. State is set to face Mercer (4 p.m.) and Chattanooga (6 p.m.).
