Michigan State University
Michigan
Softball Falls To No. 8 Michigan, 8-2
5/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 8, 2009
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Michigan State softball team fell to eighth-ranked Michigan, 8-2, Friday evening at Alumni Field. The Wolverines used two three-run innings to pull away from the Spartans. Senior Gina Mondo hit her seventh home run of the season and 20th of her career in the fourth inning for MSU.
Michigan started the game strong, posting two runs on two hits in the bottom of the first. MSU's starting pitcher Lauren Kramer would strand the bases loaded, striking out three in the inning.
Kramer hit her stride, holding Michigan scoreless through the next three innings.
The Spartans got on the scoreboard in the fourth. Sophomore Jessica Bracamonte opened with a single to left field on the first pitch. Mondo then hit a high ball to the center field fence on the first swing, with the ball dropping just past the 222-foot marker for a two-run homer to tie the game.
Michigan pulled away in the fifth with three runs and added three more in the sixth.
The Wolverines starting pitcher, Nikki Nemitz, retired all three Spartan batters in the seventh to clinch the win.
Kramer pitched 4.1 innings for MSU, striking out four, while senior Megan Hair pitched the final 1.2 innings.
The Spartans close out a two-game series with Michigan on Saturday when they host the Wolverines at 1 p.m.
