Michigan State University
Minnesota
Softball Sweeps Minnesota; Posts Shutouts In Both Games
4/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 25, 2009
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
MINNEAPOLIS - The Michigan State softball team swept a doubleheader with Minnesota on Saturday afternoon at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. The Spartans shut out the Golden Gophers in both games, posting a 1-0 win in eight innings in the first game and tallying a 3-0 victory in the second game. The shutouts were the third and fourth for the Spartans this season.
Freshman Lauren Kramer started and won both games for MSU, holding Minnesota scoreless through the 14 innings she pitched and striking out 15 batters combined. Sophomore Jessica Bracamonte notched the game-winning homer in the first game, and senior Gina Mondo hit a home run in the second.
Originally scheduled as a two-game series with games on Saturday and Sunday, the teams played a doubleheader due to potential inclement weather in the Minneapolis area on Sunday.
Game one was a pitcher's duel, with Michigan State recording four hits and Minnesota notching six. Both teams remained scoreless through seven innings, sending the game into extra innings, the ninth extra-inning game for the Spartans this year and second straight.
MSU struck first in the eighth with a solo home run to right field from Bracamonte, her third of the season. Minnesota opened the bottom of the inning with a double to center field by Malisa Barnes and a single to left center by Mallory Mitchell, but a double play and ground out ended the threat, giving MSU the victory.
Kramer started in the circle and earned the victory, pitching seven innings. She tied her career high with nine strikeouts and walked just two batters. Senior Megan Hair pitched the final inning for the Green and White to record her fourth save of the season.
The second game proved to be another low-scoring game, with MSU recording a 3-0 win. The Spartans posted seven hits, while the Golden Gophers notched four.
MSU broke onto the scoreboard in the fifth inning with two runs on three hits. Kramer opened the inning with a single down the left field line and freshman Ali Grant singled to put two on base. Classmate Lori Padilla continued with a single off a bunt to load the bases. After one out, sophomore Lindsey Hansen hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring one run. Grant also scored on the play off an error by right field.
Mondo added to the Spartans' lead in the sixth inning with a solo home run to center field, her sixth of the season.
Kramer held Minnesota without a hit through four innings and ended the game with seven strikeouts.
The Spartans continue conference play on Wednesday, April 29, when they host Penn State for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.
