An explosive first inning was all the MSU softball team needed to down Central Michigan 4-0 on Wednesday at Old College Field.
The Spartans (27-11 overall, 6-3 Big Ten) lit up Chippewa pitcher Amber Puchalski for four hits in their first at-bats.
MSU also benefited from a wild pitch and aggressive base running to jump to a quick four-run lead.
"The first inning really set the tone for us," MSU sophomore second base Janette Hurtado said. "Whoever scores first puts the pressure on the other team. We've won three straight now, and heading into a tough weekend we've got a good feeling."
MSU junior third base Brittney Green drew a lead-off walk in the bottom of the first. Then, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior pitcher Jessica Beech. Green then secured third on Puchalski's wild pitch.
Senior center fielder Sandy Lewis notched a RBI in Green on a single.
Later in the inning, Lewis crossed home plate on a flawlessly executed suicide squeeze by junior first base Natalie Furrow, who stretched it to a double when the Central Michigan (19-12) defense left second base unattended.
Hurtado closed out the scoring assault with a double down the left-field line, sending sophomore pinch runner Carrie Cousino and Furrow scurrying across home plate.
"One of our game goals is to score first. I think that's critical in being successful," MSU head coach Jacquie Joseph said. "We have a very good thing going on here."
Puchalski (9-5) settled down after the first inning, giving up just two hits the remainder of the game. But a conference-leading Spartan defense was too much for the Chippewa offense, which failed to advance a single runner past second base.
In fact, the only time Central Michigan posed any threat was in the top of the fifth inning, when the Chippewas connected for back-to-back singles with two outs.
The next batter, however, first base Karly McCormack, grounded out to Hurtado for the inning's final out.
Beech (20-4) continued her season-long domination on the mound, throwing a complete-game, four-hit shutout en route to her 20th victory of the season.
"I would definitely not be as successful without (the defense) behind me. They make the plays and get it done," Beech said. "It gives me confidence, too, that they all come ready to compete every day."
MSU starts a two-game road series against Penn State at 6 p.m. Friday.
