Home Runs Boost UMass Past Spartan Softball In Tournament Finale

Feb. 24, 2008

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. - Michigan State softball (4-5) closed out action at the Palm Springs Classic with a 5-1 loss to Massachusetts Sunday afternoon. Caitlin Mahoney homered in the fourth inning in an attempt to propel MSU into the lead and halt a four-game skid, but the Minutewomen posted two homers of their own en route to the UMass victory.

The Minutewomen struck first in the top of the third with a lead-off double to left center by Whitney Williams. Followed by a sacrifice bunt, Williams advanced to third and was knocked in on a double to left center. Lesley Noel would bail out the Spartans with a strikeout, and UMass retired the inning with a fly ball to left field.

Caitlin Mahoney's hot bat came through in the bottom of the third, when with one out, she dropped a bomb over the fence for a solo home run, evening the game at 1-1.

In the fourth, Massachusetts took a 2-1 lead on a RBI double by Stacy Cullington.

Michigan State threatened to score in the bottom of the fifth. Kelly Confer singled to third and Kristen Aidem reached on an error to start the inning. On the following at bat, Nicosia reached on a fielder's choice and Aidem reached second, but Confer was out at third. Kara Weigle then came in to pinch hit and reached first on a fielder's choice, however, Nicosia was out at second while Aidem advanced to third. With runners on the corners, Bianca Mejia cranked the first pitch to right field, but UMass was able to chase it down and close out the inning.

The Minutewomen battled back with a two-run homer in the sixth and posted an additional run in the seventh to wrap up the game at 5-1.

The Spartans will continue tournament action next weekend, March 1-2, at the Georgia Classic in Athens, Ga.