Michigan State University
DePaul
Softball Tops Bethune-Cookman, Falls To No. 13 DePaul
2/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 20, 2009
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Michigan State softball team (4-3) began play at the FGCU Spring Break Invitational Friday, topping Bethune-Cookman 10-2, before falling to No. 13 DePaul, 7-2. Sophomore Jessica Bracamonte went 4-for-5 with three RBIs against Bethune-Cookman, while classmate Lindsey Hansen and senior Gina Mondo both hit solo home runs against DePaul. Mondo is now tied for sixth on MSU's all-time home run list with 14.
The Spartans set the tone for game one in the first inning, scoring five runs. Bracamonte started the inning with a triple down the right-field line and senior Kara Weigle sent her home with a single through the right side. Freshman Ali Grant walked and sophomore Lindsey Hansen hit a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Senior Gina Mondo then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Weigle, and Grant advanced home off an illegal pitch.
Junior Kelly Confer singled to left field next, and freshmen Melanie Bensema and Lauren Kramer both hit singles to load the bases. Sophomore Karen Fox then singled off a bunt, scoring Confer. MSU returned to the top of the order and Bracamonte hit a single up the middle to send Bensema home for a 5-0 lead.
MSU tacked on another run in the second to take a 6-0 lead when Mondo doubled to third base and Confer reached on an error by the center fielder to send Mondo around the bases.
Bethune-Cookman recorded both of its runs in the third inning to cut MSU's lead to four runs before the Spartans recorded two more runs in the fifth inning to widen the lead. Confer began the inning with a single to shortstop, Kramer walked, and Bracamonte singled to right field to score both.
MSU added a run in the sixth when Grant stole home and another in the seventh inning when Weigle singled to score Heidi Purtzer and secure the 10-2 win.
Sophomore Shae Bass pitched all seven innings for MSU, allowing just two runs on six hits and striking out three.
MSU faced 13th-ranked DePaul in game two, and the Blue Demons jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the third inning. DePaul added three more in the fourth inning for a five-run lead before Hansen hit a solo home run to the left with two outs to cut the lead to 5-1. The Blue Demons answered with a run in the fifth to take back the six-run lead and added another in the top of the seventh inning. Mondo recorded her first home run of the season, a solo shot to left field with two outs in the bottom of the inning.
Confer pitched all seven innings for MSU, recording two strikeouts.
The Spartans continue play at the FGCU Spring Break Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 21. MSU will face Fairfield at 11 a.m. and DePaul at 3 p.m.
