Michigan State University
Detroit Mercy
Softball Sweeps Doubleheader Against Detroit
3/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 25, 2009
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
Spartan Sports Podcasts
Lindsey Kara
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State softball (13-15) swept Detroit in a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon at Old College Field for its third-straight win. Sophomore Lindsey Hansen recorded a home run in both games, and senior Kara Weigle notched a homer in the first game for her second in as many games. The Spartans combined for 21 hits through both games, with 12 coming in the nightcap.
The Spartans started strong in the first game, posting one run on two hits in the opening inning. Senior Gina Mondo hit a single to right field and stole second during freshman Lauren Kramer's at-bat. Kramer then notched a single to left field, allowing Mondo to round the bases before Kramer attempted second on the throw and was tagged out to end the inning.
Detroit evened the score in the third with a solo home run to right center by sophomore Breana Sesoko.
MSU went ahead by one run in the fifth when Weigle recorded her second homer in as many games to center field. Hansen added another run in the sixth with a solo home run, also her second in as many games.
The Titans tacked on another run in the seventh inning off two hits, but Kramer closed out the inning with a pop up to strand one on base and record the 3-2 win for MSU. Hansen led the Spartans, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a run and an RBI.
Senior Megan Hair started in the circle for the Spartans in game one, pitching six innings. She gave up just one run and struck out three for her fourth win of the season.
MSU continued to dominate in the second game, scoring a run in the second and third inning to take a 2-0 lead. Hansen hit her third home run in two days, and team-leading ninth of the season, to center field in the second, and Mondo reached base in the third on a fielder's choice. A double to right center by Kramer sent Mondo across the plate.
Detroit broke onto the scoreboard in the fifth to cut MSU's lead to one run, but the Spartans fought back in the bottom of the inning with three runs on two hits to widen the lead. Mondo opened the inning with a single up the middle and Kramer reached on an error. Hansen then singled to left field to load the bases, and sophomore Heidi Purtzer hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring one run. Classmate Karen Fox then reached on an error and Kramer scored. Freshman Melanie Bensema finished the inning with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Hansen.
The Titans started a comeback in the sixth when junior Erica Houthoofd homered to right field, but ended the inning with just one run scored.
MSU put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth with three more runs. Weigle started the inning with a single to left field, and advanced to second off a sacrifice bunt by freshman Lori Padilla. Mondo then hit a single to left field and advanced to second, while Weigle was tagged out at home by a throw from left. Kramer continued with a single to center and Hansen walked to load the bases. A triple by Purtzer to deep left cleared the bases.
Detroit recorded one hit in the seventh, but a fly out to center ended the game as the Spartans posted an 8-2 win.
Kramer pitched all seven inning for MSU in the nightcap, allowing just two runs and striking out four batters. Purtzer recorded a season-high four RBI in the second game and went 2-for-3, while Mondo was 3-for-4 with three runs.
The Spartans continue Big Ten play when they travel to Champaign, Ill., for a two-game series with the Illini. The two begin play on Saturday, March 28 at 6 p.m., and wrap up the series on Sunday, March 29 with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday's game with Illinois will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.
