Michigan State University
Michigan
Softball Shutout at Michigan, Falls 8-0
5/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 13, 2011
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Michigan State softball team (27-26, 6-13 Big Ten) suffered a tough loss to No. 2 Michigan on Friday night in Ann Arbor, 8-0. Junior Lori Padilla recorded the team's lone hit in the top of the fourth.
The Wolverines jumped out to an early lead over MSU in the bottom of the first with a 2-0 advantage. Amanda Chidester singled in the first two runs of the game with a shot to left field to drive in Bree Evans and Lyndsey Doyle. Evans led off the inning with a single to short, while Doyle reached on a fielding error by the Spartan pitcher.
Junior Lauren Kramer made quick work in her second inning within the circle for MSU as the next three batters went down on three consecutive pitches. The play of the day for the Spartans occurred in the bottom of the second when senior Lindsey Hansen made a catch in foul territory behind third base, prior to crashing into the fence.
Michigan extended its lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the third with three more runs. With the bases loaded, Ashley Lane drew the third straight walk of the inning to bring home Doyle from third. The next two runs in Chidester and Brandi Virgil, who was running for Dorian Shaw, crossed home after Caitlin Blanchard hit a single to left field. The Spartans finally got out of the third with an inning ending double play. Marley Powers hit the ball to right field which was caught by sophomore Kylene Hopkins. Hopkins then proceeded to throw the ball to second base covered by Hansen to force out Blanchard.
Padilla finally broke Jordan Taylor's no-hitter in the top of the fourth when she slapped the ball over the head of the first baseman for an infield single. Padilla proceeded to advance to second base on a stolen base with Hansen seeing a 0-2 count. As Taylor received the ball back from the catcher after the second pitch, she stepped outside of the circle, bringing the ball back into play and allowing Padilla to legally steal the base with the Wolverines unaware of the situation.
With Amy Knapp leading off the fourth inning for Michigan with a bloop hit over junior Ali Grant's head at third for an infield single, Evans hit into a fielder's choice to cause Knapp to be forced out at second on the play. Evans wound up at second when Doyle grounded out to third. A hard hit single by Shaw up the middle of the infield, which ricocheted off Hansen at short, drove in Evans on the play for the sixth run of the game for UM.
After a scoreless fifth by both teams, the Shaw ended the game with a walk-off homer in the bottom of the sixth. With Michigan already leading the Spartans, 6-0, a two-run shot by Shaw to right center ended the game at 8-0 due to the run rule. Shaw's homer also drove in Doyle who reached base with an infield single to short which she legged out prior to the throw.
Taylor moves her overall record on the year to 28-3 with the win today. In 6.0 innings of action, Taylor allowed one hit while striking out a 13 batters faced.
Kramer, who appeared in 2.0 innings of action today against Michigan, drops to 8-6 with the loss this evening. Sophomore Shelby Wise pitched the final 3.0 innings and allowed three runs on five hits. Kramer allowed five runs on three hits.
The Spartans close out the regular season tomorrow with game two of the series against Michigan. Saturday's contest will also be MSU's Secchia Stadium dedication game with the Secchia's and special guests on hand for a pre-game ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 11:55 a.m., with the first pitch slated for 1:05 p.m. live on the Big Ten Network.
