OKLAHOMA CITY – Michigan State earned its first Big Ten victory of the season on Saturday, outlasting Minnesota, 13-11, in a slugfest before falling in extra innings against Northwestern in game two, 8-7, at USA Softball's Devon Park. MSU's 13 runs against the Golden Gophers were the most runs scored by the Spartans in a B1G contest since a 15-12 victory over Maryland on May 5, 2018.
MSU moves to 8-11 (1-2 B1G) after its first three contests in Oklahoma City. The Spartans will face Northwestern for the fourth and final game of the B1G x OKC series on Sunday at 11 AM ET.
Game One – Michigan State 13, Minnesota 11
Freshman Jacey Schuler started in the circle for the second time in as many games against Minnesota lasting 2.1 innings before being relieved by sophomore Ava Mullen. Freshman Carsyn Cassady (1-1) was the pitcher of record for MSU going 3.2 innings and striking out two. Cassady allowed three earned runs on four hits. Senior Faith Guidry picked up two outs for the Spartans in the seventh before senior Madison Taylor entered with the game on the line, getting a game-ending strikeout to earn her fourth career save.
MSU tallied a season-best 14 hits, its eighth time with 10 or more hits in a game this season. Four Spartans had multi-hit performances led by sophomore Hannah Greer's career-high three. Junior Hannah Hawley, sophomore Kendall Smiley and freshman Ava Coffinger all finished with two hits. Hawley led the team with three RBIs, and junior Kaelin Cash, Smiley and Greer posted two apiece. Freshman Natalia Kenyatta and junior Sydney Doloszycki drew two walks each as MSU walked eight times in total, a season best.
Michigan State scored 11 runs on eight hits in the second inning. All runs scored with two outs already on the board. Sixteen Spartan batters came to the plate in the frame as MSU nearly batted around twice. Doloszycki, Coffinger, Smiley and Hawley all reached base twice in the inning with Coffinger tallying a pair of hits.
A two-out bases loaded hit by pitch started the scoring before a Golden Gopher wild pitch brought a second Spartan run in. Cash drove in two runners on a single up the middle and the inning was extended when senior Macy Lee reached on an error that scored one. An RBI double off the bat of Doloszycki extended the Spartan lead to 6-0 before a Greer RBI single made it 7-0. With the bases loaded MSU got back-to-back-to-back singles off the bats of Coffinger, Smiley and Hawley to increase the lead to 11-0.
Greer added one to the Spartan scoring tally in the third when her single through the left side scored Beshears making it 12-0.
Minnesota cut into the MSU advantage in the home half of the third inning scoring five runs on seven hits to make it 12-5. Cassady entered the game with one out and bases loaded in the third, picking up an inning-ending double play to get out of the jam.
Hawley put a charge into one to lead off the fourth inning with a solo home run for the Spartans. Her fourth long ball of the season tied her for the team high and put MSU ahead 13-5.
The Golden Gophers avoided the run rule in the fifth scoring a pair of two-out runs to trail 13-7. Cassady earned her second strikeout of the outing, but a Minnesota triple extended the inning. A two-out three-run home run off a Gopher bat pulled Minnesota within 13-10 of MSU entering the seventh.
Minnesota loaded the bases with two outs in the final frame when Taylor entered the game to shut the door for MSU. Taylor struck out the Gophers' Cosgriff swinging to end the game.
Game Two – Northwestern 8, Michigan State 7 (8 Inn.)
Junior Faith Guidry got the start in game two, striking out two over 3.0 innings with four earned runs allowed. Guidry was relieved in the fourth by senior Madison Taylor who had a strong outing allowing just one hit and striking out one with two earned runs crossing. Freshman Jacey Schuler (5-5) was the pitcher of record, allowing an earned run in extras.
Junior Hannah Hawley continued a monstrous offensive day finishing game two 3-for-4 at the plate with her second home run of the day and a walk. Hawley led the team with three RBIs while junior Kaelin Cash and sophomore Hannah Greer added one RBI apiece. Greer reached base three times in game two with a double and two walks.
Northwestern took an early lead scoring a pair of first inning runs. The Spartans were quick to respond however when Cash singled up the middle, scoring sophomore Kendall Smiley, to halve the Wildcat advantage at 2-1.
A big second inning by the Spartans saw them pull ahead, 5-3. Doloszycki led-off the inning with a solo home run to right field before a two-out three-run blast by Hawley.
After the Wildcats scored one in the top of the third, Michigan State tallied two runs in the home half starting with a bases loaded walk by senior Mik Anthony. Two batters later, Greer scored on a wild pitch to give MSU a 7-4 lead.
Northwestern evened the odds in the fourth, plating three runners on a two-out triple to left center field.
Both pitchers started to find a groove in the later innings as Taylor retired eight consecutive Northwestern batters over three scoreless frames in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. The Spartans were held scoreless over the final five innings of the contest after getting off to a hot start.
A two-out solo home run by Northwestern's Kelsey Nader provided the Wildcats with an 8-7 edge in extra innings.
msuspartans.com
OKLAHOMA CITY – Michigan State fell to Northwestern in the final game of its trip to Oklahoma City, 9-2, on Sunday afternoon from USA Softball's Devon Park.
MSU moves to 8-12 (1-3 B1G) while the Wildcats improve to 13-9 (4-0 B1G). The Spartans return to East Lansing for four games at Secchia Stadium next week, hosting Oakland for the home opener on Tuesday, March 18 at 5:00 p.m.
Freshman Jacey Schuler (5-6) went 5.2 in the circle striking out four and allowing four earned runs (one unearned). Schuler was relieved by seniors Madison Taylor and Faith Guidry. Guidry struck out one recording the final two outs in the circle for MSU.
Junior Hannah Hawley drew a career-high three walks, finishing the weekend with a blazing .737 on-base percentage. Sophomore Kendall Smiley and senior Mik Anthony each drove in a run for the Spartans, with Smiley's coming on a triple. Junior Sydney Doloszycki doubled for MSU and junior Kaelin Cash also tallied a base hit. Senior Jenae Wash walked twice as the Spartans earned seven walks in the contest.
Northwestern struck first on an opening inning sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead. Michigan State loaded the bases in the home half of the first frame but were unable to bring a run across.
An MSU error in the second pushed the Wildcats lead to 2-0 when the inning was extended on a bobble. Michigan State drew three walks in the bottom of the inning but left all three runners stranded.
Schuler held Northwestern scoreless in the third earning her second strikeout of the day. Cash broke MSU's hitless start to the contest with a lead-off single to open the home half of the inning. Pinch running freshman Hannah Herman advanced to second on a wild pitch before coming home on an RBI single to left off the bat of Anthony.
Northwestern got a run back in the fourth on a two-out double down the left field line to lead 3-1. The Wildcat advantage increase to 5-1 in the sixth when the inning extended on a bouncing ball to third that couldn't be cleanly fielded.
Smiley put MSU back into the run column with a two-out RBI triple down the first base line later that same inning. Wash drew her second walk of the day to score from first on the play.
The Wildcats added four runs on four hits and two walks in the seventh to take a 9-2 lead.
msuspartans.com
MSU moves to 8-11 (1-2 B1G) after its first three contests in Oklahoma City. The Spartans will face Northwestern for the fourth and final game of the B1G x OKC series on Sunday at 11 AM ET.
Game One – Michigan State 13, Minnesota 11
Freshman Jacey Schuler started in the circle for the second time in as many games against Minnesota lasting 2.1 innings before being relieved by sophomore Ava Mullen. Freshman Carsyn Cassady (1-1) was the pitcher of record for MSU going 3.2 innings and striking out two. Cassady allowed three earned runs on four hits. Senior Faith Guidry picked up two outs for the Spartans in the seventh before senior Madison Taylor entered with the game on the line, getting a game-ending strikeout to earn her fourth career save.
MSU tallied a season-best 14 hits, its eighth time with 10 or more hits in a game this season. Four Spartans had multi-hit performances led by sophomore Hannah Greer's career-high three. Junior Hannah Hawley, sophomore Kendall Smiley and freshman Ava Coffinger all finished with two hits. Hawley led the team with three RBIs, and junior Kaelin Cash, Smiley and Greer posted two apiece. Freshman Natalia Kenyatta and junior Sydney Doloszycki drew two walks each as MSU walked eight times in total, a season best.
Michigan State scored 11 runs on eight hits in the second inning. All runs scored with two outs already on the board. Sixteen Spartan batters came to the plate in the frame as MSU nearly batted around twice. Doloszycki, Coffinger, Smiley and Hawley all reached base twice in the inning with Coffinger tallying a pair of hits.
A two-out bases loaded hit by pitch started the scoring before a Golden Gopher wild pitch brought a second Spartan run in. Cash drove in two runners on a single up the middle and the inning was extended when senior Macy Lee reached on an error that scored one. An RBI double off the bat of Doloszycki extended the Spartan lead to 6-0 before a Greer RBI single made it 7-0. With the bases loaded MSU got back-to-back-to-back singles off the bats of Coffinger, Smiley and Hawley to increase the lead to 11-0.
Greer added one to the Spartan scoring tally in the third when her single through the left side scored Beshears making it 12-0.
Minnesota cut into the MSU advantage in the home half of the third inning scoring five runs on seven hits to make it 12-5. Cassady entered the game with one out and bases loaded in the third, picking up an inning-ending double play to get out of the jam.
Hawley put a charge into one to lead off the fourth inning with a solo home run for the Spartans. Her fourth long ball of the season tied her for the team high and put MSU ahead 13-5.
The Golden Gophers avoided the run rule in the fifth scoring a pair of two-out runs to trail 13-7. Cassady earned her second strikeout of the outing, but a Minnesota triple extended the inning. A two-out three-run home run off a Gopher bat pulled Minnesota within 13-10 of MSU entering the seventh.
Minnesota loaded the bases with two outs in the final frame when Taylor entered the game to shut the door for MSU. Taylor struck out the Gophers' Cosgriff swinging to end the game.
Game Two – Northwestern 8, Michigan State 7 (8 Inn.)
Junior Faith Guidry got the start in game two, striking out two over 3.0 innings with four earned runs allowed. Guidry was relieved in the fourth by senior Madison Taylor who had a strong outing allowing just one hit and striking out one with two earned runs crossing. Freshman Jacey Schuler (5-5) was the pitcher of record, allowing an earned run in extras.
Junior Hannah Hawley continued a monstrous offensive day finishing game two 3-for-4 at the plate with her second home run of the day and a walk. Hawley led the team with three RBIs while junior Kaelin Cash and sophomore Hannah Greer added one RBI apiece. Greer reached base three times in game two with a double and two walks.
Northwestern took an early lead scoring a pair of first inning runs. The Spartans were quick to respond however when Cash singled up the middle, scoring sophomore Kendall Smiley, to halve the Wildcat advantage at 2-1.
A big second inning by the Spartans saw them pull ahead, 5-3. Doloszycki led-off the inning with a solo home run to right field before a two-out three-run blast by Hawley.
After the Wildcats scored one in the top of the third, Michigan State tallied two runs in the home half starting with a bases loaded walk by senior Mik Anthony. Two batters later, Greer scored on a wild pitch to give MSU a 7-4 lead.
Northwestern evened the odds in the fourth, plating three runners on a two-out triple to left center field.
Both pitchers started to find a groove in the later innings as Taylor retired eight consecutive Northwestern batters over three scoreless frames in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. The Spartans were held scoreless over the final five innings of the contest after getting off to a hot start.
A two-out solo home run by Northwestern's Kelsey Nader provided the Wildcats with an 8-7 edge in extra innings.
Softball Outlasts Minnesota in Slugfest, Battles in Extra Innings Against Northwestern - Michigan State University Athletics
OKLAHOMA CITY – Michigan State earned its first Big Ten victory of the season on Saturday, outlasting Minnesota, 13-11, in a slugfest before falling in extra...
Saturday Recap
OKLAHOMA CITY – Michigan State fell to Northwestern in the final game of its trip to Oklahoma City, 9-2, on Sunday afternoon from USA Softball's Devon Park.
MSU moves to 8-12 (1-3 B1G) while the Wildcats improve to 13-9 (4-0 B1G). The Spartans return to East Lansing for four games at Secchia Stadium next week, hosting Oakland for the home opener on Tuesday, March 18 at 5:00 p.m.
Freshman Jacey Schuler (5-6) went 5.2 in the circle striking out four and allowing four earned runs (one unearned). Schuler was relieved by seniors Madison Taylor and Faith Guidry. Guidry struck out one recording the final two outs in the circle for MSU.
Junior Hannah Hawley drew a career-high three walks, finishing the weekend with a blazing .737 on-base percentage. Sophomore Kendall Smiley and senior Mik Anthony each drove in a run for the Spartans, with Smiley's coming on a triple. Junior Sydney Doloszycki doubled for MSU and junior Kaelin Cash also tallied a base hit. Senior Jenae Wash walked twice as the Spartans earned seven walks in the contest.
Northwestern struck first on an opening inning sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead. Michigan State loaded the bases in the home half of the first frame but were unable to bring a run across.
An MSU error in the second pushed the Wildcats lead to 2-0 when the inning was extended on a bobble. Michigan State drew three walks in the bottom of the inning but left all three runners stranded.
Schuler held Northwestern scoreless in the third earning her second strikeout of the day. Cash broke MSU's hitless start to the contest with a lead-off single to open the home half of the inning. Pinch running freshman Hannah Herman advanced to second on a wild pitch before coming home on an RBI single to left off the bat of Anthony.
Northwestern got a run back in the fourth on a two-out double down the left field line to lead 3-1. The Wildcat advantage increase to 5-1 in the sixth when the inning extended on a bouncing ball to third that couldn't be cleanly fielded.
Smiley put MSU back into the run column with a two-out RBI triple down the first base line later that same inning. Wash drew her second walk of the day to score from first on the play.
The Wildcats added four runs on four hits and two walks in the seventh to take a 9-2 lead.
Softball Wraps Up Play in OKC - Michigan State University Athletics
OKLAHOMA CITY – Michigan State fell to Northwestern in the final game of its trip to Oklahoma City, 9-2, on Sunday afternoon from USA Softball's Devon Park.
