Shortstop Bianca Mejia is assisted by an athletic trainer after colliding with an Oakland player at second base during Wednesday’s doubleheader at Old College Field. The Spartans beat Oakland in both games, 8-2, 8-5.
Despite sweeping Oakland in Wednesday’s doubleheader that lasted four hours, it was a rough victory for the MSU softball team.
The Spartans already were playing without senior outfielder Nikki Nicosia, who suffered a knee injury Sunday. Then, freshman shortstop Bianca Mejia was carted off the field in an ambulance after colliding with an Oakland player at second base trying to catch a ball. Mejia was instrumental in the first game as she had an RBI that gave the Spartans a 4-0 lead early on.
It has not been confirmed what exactly Mejia’s injuries are, however, medical personnel did immobilize one of her legs on the field and took her to the hospital. It has not been determined if she will be playing in Friday’s game against Michigan.
But the injuries weren’t done yet.
A batted ball popped utility player Jessica LeFevre in the elbow, stinging the senior and bringing her to the ground. However, she was able to shake it off and get to first base.
Despite being plagued with injuries of some of their top players, the Spartans won the first game 8-2 and defeated Oakland a second time for a score of 8-5. Junior outfielder Gina Mondo hit an RBI – scoring three runs for MSU.
“Obviously without Nikki and Bianca it was a big adjustment,” Mondo said. “They’re some of our best players. Everybody stepped up. I was proud of everybody. We tried not to let (Mejia’s injury) bother us because we’ve got to finish the game, but it was still in the back of our minds that she was in the hospital.
“It was a long day for everybody.”
MSU head coach Jacquie Joseph said while the sweep was well earned, it was not as important as putting together back-to-back good pitching performances.
“It was sloppy at times, but the thing I was impressed with is we covered up our errors, and in the past we have not done that,” Joseph said. “I was very proud of our team for the way they focused in and got it done (despite seeing Mejia’s injury). That sometimes can be very distracting. We spend all year two-deep in every spot, hoping we never need two. But we do and we just have to deal with that.”
The Spartans take on U-M 6 p.m. Friday in Ann Arbor.
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