Spartans Fall To Wisconsin, 2-1

May 2, 2009

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State softball team dropped a close game, 2-1, to Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon at Old College Field. Junior Kelly Confer batted in the Spartans' only run and freshman Lauren Kramer pitched the complete game for MSU, striking out seven.

Wisconsin pitcher Leah Vanevenhoven threw all seven innings and held Michigan State to three hits. Freshman Lori Padilla, Kramer and Confer notched the hits for the Spartans.

The Badgers started the game strong, scoring one run in the first off an error. Wisconsin looked to add to its lead in the third when leadoff batter Jennifer Krueger tripled to right field, but Kramer retired the next three batters to end the threat.

MSU tied the game in the bottom of the inning when sophomore Karen Fox drew a walk to open the inning. She then advanced to second on a passed ball and scored off a single up the middle by Confer. Kramer continued with a single to left center, but Vanevenhoven sent the next three Spartan batters back to the dugout to strand two on base.

The two teams remained scoreless through the next three innings to set up what seemed to be extra innings. Wisconsin took advantage in the seventh when Valyncia Raphael hit a solo home run to right field to take a 2-1 lead. Vanevenhoven took over from there, retiring all three Spartans in the bottom of the inning.

Kramer pitched her second-straight complete game for the Spartans, striking out seven batters and not allowing a walk.

MSU concludes a two-game series with Wisconsin on Sunday at Old College Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.