Michigan State University
7-9
Campbell
5-11
Grey, Taylor Combine for Shutout in Win Over Campbell
2/27/2024 7:17:00 PM | Softball
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Senior Liv Grey and junior Madison Taylor combined for Michigan State softball's second shutout victory of the season on Tuesday night in its 3-0 victory over Campbell at Amanda Littlejohn Stadium.
The Spartans improve to 7-9 in non-conference action and will face UNC Wilmington on Wednesday night in Wilmington, N.C.
Michigan State head coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley was previously the head coach at Campbell from 2019-22. Assistant coach Danielle Stenger was on McDonald-Kelley's staff throughout her entire tenure, while assistant coach Destini England played at Campbell for two seasons from 2020-21.
Grey (5-4) earned the win pitching 5.2 shutout innings in the circle, allowing just two hits and striking out six to extend her B1G conference lead in strikeouts (61). Taylor relieved Grey with two on and two outs in the sixth, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn her second Spartan save.
Redshirt sophomore Mik Anthony, and seniors Collette Allen and Alexis Ross each had one of MSU's three hits. Allen doubled for the lone extra-base hit of the night and Anthony walked to reach base twice. Sophomore Hannah Hawley walked twice, and senior Jenae Wash walked once. Senior AJ Militello, sophomore Britain Beshears and Anthony drove in one runner each.
Wet conditions in the circle made things tough on pitchers for both teams, with the two sides drawing a combined 10 walks.
A first inning shallow single to right by Ross put a pair of runners in scoring position for the Spartans early. Beshears later drove in Hawley from third on a sac fly to break open the scoring. Recently moving to the lead-off slot, Hawley started things with a walk.
Grey kept the Spartans ahead in the home half of the first, striking out her third batter of the inning to end a bases loaded threat.
Michigan State put a pair of runs on the board in the third after a Wash walk and an Allen double put runners on second and third. Militello made it a 2-0 game on a sac fly to center before Anthony singled on a bouncing ball up the middle to increase MSU's advantage to 3-0. It was the first RBI of Anthony's Spartan career.
Taylor entered the game with two on and two out in the bottom of the sixth, forcing an inning ending groundout to end the threat. Campbell put two runners on in the bottom of the seventh, but Taylor induced three weak outs to shut the door and earn the save.
Up Next
Continuing its spring break trip, MSU will make the quick drive down to Wilmington, N.C. for a mid-week game at UNC Wilmington on Wednesday, February 28. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m. from Boseman Field. UNC Wilmington is 8-5 in the non-conference portion of their schedule.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Grey, Liv (5-4)
L: LEIERER, Hannah (1-5)
S: Taylor, Madison (1)
Batting:
2B: Allen, Collette 1
RBI: Beshears, Britain 1 ; Militello, AJ 1 ; Anthony, Mik 1
SF: Beshears, Britain 1 ; Militello, AJ 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hawley, Hannah 1 ; Wash, Jenae 1 ; Allen, Collette 1
Base Running:
SB: HENAULT, Alyssa 1
CS: HENAULT, Alyssa 1
