Michigan State University
Oakland
Softball Splits Doubleheader With Oakland
4/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 23, 2009
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
Video highlights of game vs. Oakland
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State softball team split a doubleheader with Oakland on Thursday afternoon at Old College Field. MSU posted a 5-1 win in game one, and fell 4-3 in eight innings in the nightcap. Sophomore Lindsey Hansen notched three RBIs in the first game, and freshman Lauren Kramer recorded 12 strikeouts through the two games.
In game one, the Spartans opened the scoring in the third, taking a 1-0 lead. Freshman Lori Padilla notched her first career double to right center and advanced to third on a sacrifice fly from Weigle. Hansen then hit a sharp ball that went off the end of the Oakland pitcher's glove, scoring Padilla for her first RBI of the day.
In the fourth inning, MSU added to its lead as freshman Brett Williams crushed a ball to right center, her second in as many games.
MSU added two more runs in the fifth to take a 4-0 advantage. Leadoff batter Ali Grant started with a single to shortstop after beating out the throw. Kramer then singled to left field, and Hansen hit a single up the middle, just past second base to score two runs with two outs.
In the sixth inning, Bensema ripped a triple to right center and scored on a throwing error, making it 5-0 in favor of MSU.
Junior Kelly Confer replaced Kramer in the seventh, pitching the final inning and giving up one run and striking out three of the five batters she faced. Kramer held Oakland to just three hits and did not allow a walk through six scoreless innings, while striking out eight. Oakland did score a run in the seventh off a triple by Marisa Everitt to break up the shutout.
Michigan State struck early in the second game, scoring two runs in the first inning. With two outs, Hansen hit a single just over third base into left field and stole second. Senior Gina Mondo, who returned to the lineup for the first time since April 1, drew a walk. Williams then hit the ball to the warning track in right center for a stand up double, scoring both Hansen and Mondo.
Oakland's bats came alive in the second, recording two hits and drawing a walk. Padilla made a running catch in far left field to end the Golden Grizzlies' opportunity and strand three on base.
Weigle notched a homer to right center on the first pitch of the third inning, her fourth of the season, to put MSU up 3-0.
The Golden Grizzlies recorded three runs on three hits in the fifth inning to tie the game, led by Julie Owen's two-run double to right field.
MSU had the chance to win the game in the seventh, with Weigle reaching on an error to start the inning. After a fly out, Mondo doubled to right center. Weigle rounded the bases on Mondo's hit, but was tagged out at home. Mondo was also called out on the play when she attempted to reach third while Weigle ran to home plate.
Oakland secured the win in the eighth inning off a solo home run to left field from Owen.
Senior Megan Hair started in the circle for MSU, pitching 4 2-3 innings and posting four strike outs. Kramer pitched the final 3 1-3 innings, striking out four of the 12 batters she faced.
MSU travels to Minneapolis for a two-game series with Big Ten rival Minnesota on Saturday and Sunday. Games begin at 2 p.m. ET both days.
