Michigan State University
Florida State
Softball Claims Seminole Classic Tournament Title
2/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 17, 2008
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Shae Bass clinched her third win of the season, closing out the 3-2 win for Michigan State in the seventh inning as the Spartans claimed the 2008 Seminole Classic title. MSU improves its record to 4-0, tying the 2006 team for the best start since 1997's team won its first seven games. Florida State dropped to 4-4 with the loss. For the weekend, Bianca Mejia and Caitlin Mahoney paced the team with six RBI each, while Mahoney led the team hitting .462.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Seminoles hoped for three quick outs to close out their 2-1 lead, but Michigan State's bats came alive to thwart the loss and capture the season's first comeback. After a lead-off fly out, Kristen Aidem made it to first base on an infield error by FSU's shortstop, making Aidem the potential tying run. Seminole hurler Terese Gober then put Florida State closer to victory with a strikeout, bringing Nikki Nisocia to the plate with two outs on the board. Nicosia stayed patient, taking first base on four balls and advancing Aidem into scoring position. And on another smart at bat, Kara Wiegle watched four balls go by and took her bag to load the bases.
Mejia was up next for the Spartans and with a rope to second base, Mejia reached first, Weigle slid in safe at second and Nicosia hit third, while Aidem crossed home plate to tie the game, giving Mejia a crucial RBI. Next Kelly Confer came in to pinch hit for Mahoney with the bases loaded, and on a 2-2 count, Confer ripped a single up the middle, driving in Nicosia for the winning run.
In the third inning, Florida State took the early lead with a walk after the Seminoles loaded the bases, but the Spartans retalliated with a run in the fourth. Mahoney got to first on an FSU second baseman error and Abby Lincoln came in to pinch run. Heidi Purtzer singled down the right field line, bumping Lincoln past second to third and in prime scoring position. And on the next at bat, Michigan State tied the game as Lincoln came home on a passed ball.
The Seminoles would tally a run in the fifth to reclaim the lead, but MSU's outstanding bottom-of-the-seventh performance at the plate proved to be too much.
The Spartans will return home for a few days before heading to Palm Springs, Calif., for the Palm Springs Classic hosted by Oregon State on Feb. 22-24. Michigan State will face off against UNLV, Cal State Fullerton, Oregon, Hawai'i and Massachusetts in the three-day, all-star team tournament.
