Michigan State University
Penn State
Softball Splits Doubleheader with Penn State
4/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 14, 2010
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Michigan State softball team (18-19, 4-4 Big Ten) continued its road stretch today (April 14) when it traveled to Penn State for a midweek doubleheader. The Spartans squeaked out an extra inning affair against PSU in game one, 1-0, but fell to the Nittany Lions in the second game, 2-1. Sophomore Lori Padilla led MSU offensively on the day with her .600 batting average, going 3-for-5 at the plate.
The first game started out as a pitcher's duel as both senior Kelly Confer and Lisa Akamine battled it out on the rubber. At the end of regulation, the score was tied 0-0 when the Spartans manufactured the lone run in the game in the top of the eighth inning.
Junior Lindsey Hansen led off the top of the eighth with a double to left center. Hansen found herself on third off a single by freshman Kylene Hopkins. Sophomore Lauren Kramer wound up driving in the game-winning run when she singled up the middle to knock in Hansen from third, giving the Spartans the 1-0 lead.
After Confer allowed the first batter to reach base in the bottom of the eighth, Kramer entered the game looking for her first save of the season. Kramer was then able to take care of business as the Spartan sophomore as she was able to get three-consecutive outs to end the game.
Confer improves to 4-7 on the season, while Akamine falls to 14-4. Kramer was able to notch the first save over her career in the bottom of the eighth.
MSU continued its first game success as it scored the first run of the game in the top of the second. However, the Nittany Lions rallied for a run in each the third and fifth innings.
With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth, PSU knocked in the game winning run when Desi Giordano hit a solo homer to center, bringing the score to 2-1.
The Spartans were the first team to score in the second inning when sophomore Ali Grant knocked a solo home run to left field, bringing the score to 1-0.
Penn State responded in the bottom of the third with a one run inning itself. Lauren Yao led off the bottom half of the third inning with a triple. Yao was then driven in by Cassidy Bell's sacrifice fly, tying the game at one run each.
Earning the win for Penn State was Jackie Hill (12-8) who threw seven innings of work. Kramer (13-10) took the loss for MSU in her six innings of work.
The Spartans return home this weekend (April 17-18) for a two-game set against Ohio State on Saturday and Sunday. Action will begin each day at 1 p.m.
