Michigan State University
Illinois
Softball Downed By Illinois, 13-3
3/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 28, 2009
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Michigan State softball team (13-16, 0-3 Big Ten) dropped a 13-3 decision to Illinois Saturday afternoon in a rain soaked game. The Spartans posted three hits in the game, highlighted by senior Kara Weigle's three-run home run with two outs in the fifth inning.
Weigle opened the game with a double to left field, just inside the foul pole, and advanced to third off a sacrifice bunt by freshman Lori Padilla. Illinois pitcher Monica Perry got out of the jam, retiring the next two batters to end the inning, stranding Weigle on third.
Illinois built off the momentum, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning off a single by Katrina Ross.
Both teams went scoreless in the second and senior Megan Hair struck out one in the inning.
The Illini put the game out of reach in the third inning, scoring eight runs on six hits, highlighted by a grandslam from Hollie Pinchback.
Freshman Rebecca Rogers replaced Hair in the fourth inning, facing two batters. Illinois added three more runs in the inning off a bases clearing triple by Jamie Adishian.
Sophomore Karen Fox drew a walk in the fifth with one out for the Spartans, and freshman Ali Grant reached first base by a walk. With two outs, Weigle hit her third home run of the season to far left field, just inside the foul pole to break on to the scoreboard. Padilla then reached on a walk, but Perry forced a pop up to end the game.
MSU finishes a two game series with the Illini on Sunday, March 29 at 3 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.
