Michigan State University
Iowa
Softball Suffers 5-0 Shutout at Iowa
4/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 12, 2008
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Iowa softball completed a two-game sweep with Saturday's 5-0 win over Michigan State (20-17, 4-4) at Pearl Field. The Hawkeyes took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second and kept the advantage to seal their second shutout against MSU this weekend. The conference sweep is the first against MSU since Penn State took both games in 2006.
Today's game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network, making its premier tonight at 5:30 p.m. ET. The game will air twice tomorrow (April 13) at 2 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Back-to-back RBI doubles to center field for Iowa put the Hawkeyes a 2-0 in the bottom of the second, when head coach Jacquie Joseph made a pitching change for the Spartans. Kelly Confer entered the circle with an out on the board, as Lesley Noel headed to the dugout after allowing two runs on two hits. A single and walk loaded the bases against Confer, but the Spartans escaped the inning making plays from the infield.
Colleen McGlaughlin led off the bottom of the third inning with a solo home run over the left-field fence, taking Iowa ahead 3-0, but MSU recorded three outs on the ensuing batters to control the Hawkeye offense and close out the inning.
Caitlin Mahoney singled to right field in the top of the fourth, marking MSU's first hit of the day and spoiling Iowa's no-hitter. Abby Lincoln moved to second - pinch running for Bianca Mejia, who walked - and Karen Fox came in to run for Mahoney on first. The Hawkeyes made a pitching change, bringing in Brittany Weil to relieve Amanda Zust with one out. But a fly ball and strikeout halted the Spartan offense.
After an Iowa single, Kara Weigle picked off Emily Nichols at first, then Mejia snagged a high line drive over second base to put away two Hawkeyes in the bottom of the fourth. A routine grounder to Confer wrapped up the inning and MSU came up to the plate looking to lessen Iowa's lead.
The Spartans gained momentum as Lindsey Hansen roped a double off of the right-field wall. Jessica LeFevre reached first on the next at bat on a fielder's choice while Hansen was tagged out at third. But the Spartans stayed alive as Nikki and Traci Nicosia both drew walks to load the bases. Traci pinch hit for Weigle, who returned to the lineup to run at first, as Mejia approached the plate. But a well-fielded ground ball to the pitcher ended the inning.
Iowa chalked up two runs in the fifth to extend its lead to 5-0, but Michigan State came up with two early hits in the sixth as Mahoney and Gina Mondo singled. Heidi Purtzer snapped a four-game hitless streak with a crucial single to left center, once again loading the bases for the Spartans. Megan Hair took first base to pinch run for Purtzer but two fly balls left MSU stranded. The Hawkeye 5-0 advantage would hold on as the final.
Michigan State heads to Champaign, Ill., for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Illinois on Sunday, April 13.
