Michigan State University
Iowa
Softball Drops Doubleheader to No. 23 Iowa
4/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 18, 2009
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Michigan State softball team (14-24, 0-11 Big Ten) dropped a doubleheader to 23rd-ranked Iowa Saturday afternoon. The Hawkeyes recorded an 8-0 win in the first game and posted a 4-3 victory in 10 innings in the second game. Sophomore Jessica Bracamonte recorded two RBIs for the Spartans and freshman Lauren Kramer struck out a career-high nine batters in the second game.
MSU opened game two with two runs in the first. After the first two batters grounded out, Hansen drew a walk and junior Kelly Confer doubled down the left field line to advance Hansen to third. Bracamonte continued with a double to left field, scoring both runners.
Iowa tallied one run in the second to cut MSU's lead to 2-1 and added a run in the fourth to tie the game.
The Spartans fought back in the fifth inning. A hit, followed by four straight walks sent Hansen home, giving MSU the lead, 3-2. The Hawkeyes added a run in the sixth, and both teams remained scoreless through the seventh to send the game into extra innings.
Iowa recorded a single and two walks in the eighth, but a ground-out stranded the three runners on base. Both teams saw three-up, three-down in the ninth to send the game to the 10th inning.
Bracamonte registered a double with two outs in the tenth, but a strikeout ended MSU's opportunity.
The Hawkeyes drew three walks to open the bottom of the inning, and a single through the left side by Missy Mazur scored the winning run.
Kramer started in the circle for MSU, pitching seven innings and striking out nine. She opened the game with back-to-back strikeouts, added one in the second, and again sent the first two batters back to the dugout in the third. Kramer struck out the final two in the fourth inning, stranding two runners on base, and posted two more strikeouts in the fifth.
Confer pitched the final 2 1-3 innings, marking her first appearance since Feb. 28.
The Spartans fell 8-0 in six innings in game one, with hits coming from sophomore Lindsey Hansen, Kramer and freshman Ali Grant. Senior Megan Hair pitched the first game for the Green and White, recording a strikeout over five innings.
Iowa scored one run in each of the first four innings and added two runs in the fifth and sixth to earn the victory.
The Spartans return to action on Tuesday, March 21 at 4 p.m., when they host Bowling Green at Old College Field.
