Michigan State University
20-30, 0
Purdue
25-25, 0
Anthony’s Late Inning Heroics Lift Softball Over Purdue
5/4/2024 5:32:00 PM | Softball
Michigan State improves to 20-30 (6-16 B1G) while Purdue falls to 25-25 (11-11 B1G). Its six wins are the most conference victories for MSU since 2018. The Spartans have won four straight heading into the final game of the regular season.
Junior Madison Taylor (4-12) was masterful in the circle allowing just two hits and a walk through six innings, striking out three Purdue batters in the process. Taylor induced weak contact all game, retiring 14 consecutive batters at one point prior to a two-out Boilermaker walk in the sixth inning.
Pitching in relief, senior Liv Grey earned her first save of the season and the fourth of her career. Grey needed just 10 pitches to retire the side, striking out two in the seventh. It's Taylor and Grey's second combined shutout of the season.
Liv Grey slams the door shut!
— MSU Softball (@MSU_Softball) May 4, 2024
Grey strikes out two in the seventh to earn her first save of the season.
Michigan State takes the game, 1-0, and the series over the Boilermakers with one to play tomorrow!#GoGreen | #SpartanUp pic.twitter.com/CfOWmAsEyx
With just five hits between the two teams, Anthony was the lone batter with a multi-hit effort going 2-for-3 at the dish. Senior Jenae Wash also collected a base hit for Michigan State.
Purdue threatened in the first frame putting a runner on third with one out. Smart play by the Spartan defense ended the threat as MSU put the lead runner in a pickle before tagging her out.
Catching the lead runner in a run down for out #2 in the first!#GoGreen | #SpartanUp pic.twitter.com/EjVdAj8Khu
— MSU Softball (@MSU_Softball) May 4, 2024
The Boilermakers reached on an error to open the second, but that would be their final baserunner until the sixth when a two-out walk started a late rally. Taylor retired 14 consecutive Purdue batters prior to two reaching late. Tied at 0-0, Purdue put two runners into scoring position with two out in the sixth, but Wash collected an easy fly ball for the final out of the frame.
Down to her final strike in the seventh, Anthony broke the scoreless tie sending a towering ball over the right field fence. It's Anthony's second home run of the week and the season.
Mik Anthony is CLUTCH!
— MSU Softball (@MSU_Softball) May 4, 2024
Her seventh inning homer breaks a 0-0 tie and lifts Michigan State to a 1-0 victory over Purdue!#GoGreen | #SpartanUp @NCAASoftball pic.twitter.com/pEmjAXiLYT
Coming in to close for the first time in 2024, Grey needed just 10 pitches to retire the side in the home half of the seventh, sending a pair of Boilermakers down on strikes.
UP NEXT
Michigan State looks to complete the series sweep of Purdue on Sunday, May 5 at 1:00 p.m. from Bittinger Stadium.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Taylor, Madison (4-12)
L: Kendall Klochack (7-5)
S: Grey, Liv (1)
Batting:
HR: Anthony, Mik 1
RBI: Anthony, Mik 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Anthony, Mik 1
Batting:
SF: Moriah Polar 1
Base Running:
SB: Khloe Banks 1 ; Tyrina Jones 1
