Michigan State University
Central Michigan
Softball Comes From Behind, Tops Central Michigan In Eight Innings
4/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 15, 2009
Video highlights of game vs. Central Michigan
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State softball team rallied from a 5-0 deficit to defeat Central Michigan, 7-6, Wednesday afternoon at Old College Field. Junior Kelly Confer hit a two-run single in the eighth inning for the win, marking the largest deficit the Spartans have overcome this season to win.
Sophomore Lindsey Hansen led MSU at the plate, going 3-for-4. Confer, senior Kara Weigle and freshman Brett Williams all notched two RBIs, and it marked the second straight game Williams has posted two RBIs.
"We were slow in the beginning, but to see the team rally and post five runs to tie the game was impressive," said head coach Jacquie Joseph. "It was great to see Kelly Confer, who has been out with an injury for three weeks, driving in the game winning two runs. I hope to carry this momentum into our weekend series with Iowa."
Central Michigan opened the game with a run in the first off a double to center field by Jill Schultz. The Chippewas added to their lead in the second with a two-run home run from Molly Coldren, and two more runs in the fourth put Central Michigan up 5-0.
Michigan State (14-22) attempted a rally in the fourth and fifth, but stranded two runners in both innings.
Senior Megan Hair relieved starting pitcher Lauren Kramer in the third, and held Central Michigan scoreless through the remainder of the game.
The Spartan rally in the sixth began with Confer drawing a walk. Kramer then singled to shallow left and a ground out advanced both runners. Williams came through with a single up the middle, scoring two runs for the second straight game. MSU continued with a single from freshman Melanie Bensema, and a hit by pitch loaded the bases. Weigle hit a single up the middle, just past second base, to score two more runs, making it 5-4. The hits continued with Hansen hitting a single through the left side, scoring the game-tying run. The two runners remaining on base moved to second and third on a passed ball, but a fly out to center ended the inning.
Central Michigan drew a walk in the seventh, but Hair forced the next two batters to ground out and end the inning.
The bottom of the seventh started with the first two batters being struck by a pitch and reaching base. After gaining two outs, another Spartan was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but a ground out to second got the Chippewas out of the jam and sent the game to extra innings.
The Chippewas scored one run on one hit to open the eighth inning, putting the pressure on the Spartans.
Weigle answered, opening the eighth with a single to center field and Hansen continued MSU's rally after hitting a hard ball that careened off Coldren's glove at third base and sent the ball into center field. With no outs, Confer posted a single to center, scoring Weigle and Hansen for the win.
Kramer pitched 3 2-3 innings and struck out five, while Hair pitched the remaining 4 1-3 innings, giving up just two hits and striking out two batters.
MSU travels to Iowa City, Iowa, for a two-game series with the Hawkeyes this weekend. Games start at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
