Hansen's Homer Propels Spartans Past Western Michigan

March 24, 2009

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning propelled the Michigan State softball team (11-15) to a 5-3 win over in-state rival Western Michigan Tuesday afternoon at Old College Field. Senior Gina Mondo and sophomore Lindsey Hansen both hit two-run home runs in the seventh inning with two outs to win the Spartans' 2009 home opener and the debut of the recently renovated playing surface. Mondo was also 3-for-4 at the plate, while Hansen was 2-for-3.

Western Michigan opened the scoring with a run in the second and added another run in the third when a single by Meredith Whitney sent Samantha Vargocko across the plate to take an early lead.

Senior Kara Weigle began the Spartans' comeback with a solo home run to right center, her first of the season, to lead off the fourth inning. A single by Mondo and a walk to freshman Lauren Kramer put two on base after Weigle's homer, but a fielder's choice ended the inning, stranding the two on base.

Western Michigan added to its lead in the sixth off an inside the park home run to left center. The Broncos pressured in the seventh with two more hits, but maintained a 3-1 lead.

The outcome looked grim for the Spartans in the bottom of the seventh after the first two batters were retired, but Weigle reached on a walk to bring Mondo to the plate. Mondo hit her fifth home run of the season to left field, scoring two runs to tie the game at three aside. Extra innings seemed inevitable, but a single by Kramer kept the momentum going. Hansen then reached the plate, hitting her team-leading seventh home run of the season to left field, reaching the Red Cedar River for the win.

Michigan State returns to action on Wednesday, March 25, with a doubleheader against Detroit at Old College Field.