Softball Suffers Tough Defeat At Minnesota, Falls 6-3

April 30, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Michigan State softball team (22-23, 3-10 Big Ten) was unable to hold onto its lead as it fell to Minnesota on Saturday, April 30 in Minneapolis, Minn., by a score of 6-3. Senior Lindsey Hansen once again led the team at both the plate and in the field. On the day, Hansen went 3-for-4 with a double and her conference-leading 18th home run of the season, as well as a team-best five assists.

The Spartans struck first in the opening inning. Junior Brett Williams recorded an infield single to the pitcher to drive in classmate Lori Padilla from third. Padilla was the first for MSU to reach base as she singled up the middle to get to first base.

After freshman Cassee Layne kept the Golden Gophers off the board for the first three innings, Minnesota posted a four-run fourth to gain a 4-1 lead over the Green and White. With the first two batters on base, Kari Dorle singled to left field to score home Malisa Barnes, who led off the inning with a walk. Alex Davis singled in the second run for UM with shot up the middle, scoring home Dannie Skrove. Two batters later, with the bases loaded, Natalie Neal was hit by the pitch to bring home Dorle. The final run of the inning occurred when Mallory Mitchell pinch hit for Allie Siu and grounded out to Hansen at short to bring in Davis.

Already with the offensive momentum, the Golden Gophers knocked two additional runs in the bottom of the fifth. Dorle doubled in both of the runs as she put the ball into right field. Dorle's double gave UM a 6-1 lead as both Barnes and Bree Blanchette crossed home on the play.

MSU got back on the board in the top of the seventh. With the team looking to rally, Padilla led off the inning with a single to left field. Hansen stepped up to the plate as the next batter and put the ball over the right-center field fence for her 40th career homer. The Spartans were unable to record any additional runs in the inning to leave the score at 6-3.

Sara Moulton improves to 24-10 on the year as she pitched 6.0 innings of work for Minnesota. In her time on the rubber, Moulton allowed three earned runs on 11 hits while strikeout six of her 32 batters faced. Alissa Koch recorded her second save of the year as she pitched an inning in relief. Koch held the Spartans hitless while posting one strikeout.

In 5.0 innings of work, Layne allowed six earned runs on six hits. Layne falls to 10-14 on the year as she struck out one of her 23 batters faced. Sophomore Shelby Wise threw the final inning for the Green and White, keeping the Golden Gophers hitless while striking out one batter.

The Spartans return to action tomorrow (May 1) for game two of the weekend series against Minnesota. Tomorrow's contest will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network at 2 p.m. ET with Marney Gellner and former Spartan Stacey Phillips on the call.