http://statenews.com. Stories from The State News en-us Gryphon 2.2.3b-tsn (woodward)/Foundry5 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:14:26 -0400 webmaster@statenews.com http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/anatomy_of_a_softball_pitch In softball, the pitcher is the heart and soul of the team. “You don’t win unless you have a horse in the circle,” MSU pitching coach Jessica Bograkos said. “You don’t see any teams go the distance without an ace.” Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:14:26 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/anatomy_of_a_softball_pitch http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/spartans_split_doubleheader_with_nittany_lions The MSU softball team split a doubleheader against Penn State on Wednesday, taking the nightcap 3-2 but losing the first game 6-3. The Spartans took the lead early in the second game with a deep three-run home run to left field by sophomore outfielder Jessica Bracamonte in the bottom of the first inning. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:23:49 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/spartans_split_doubleheader_with_nittany_lions http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/spartans_looking_to_sustain_momentum Finally healthy, the MSU softball team is rounding into form, even if only six games remain on the schedule. The Spartans notched their first Big Ten wins of the season, sweeping Minnesota over the weekend to move their conference record to 2-11. Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:57:10 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/spartans_looking_to_sustain_momentum http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/softball_doubleheader_brings_victory_and_defeat One swing was all that kept the MSU softball team from sweeping Oakland in a double-header with the Golden Grizzlies at Old College Field on Thursday. Instead, the Spartans had to settle for a split, winning the first game 5-1 and dropping the nightcap 4-3 in the extra innings. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:00:38 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/softball_doubleheader_brings_victory_and_defeat http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/spartans_stomp_falcons_8-0 After waiting 15 minutes for her at bat, freshman infielder Ali Grant only needed a few seconds to end the game for her team. Playing through rain and wind the entire game, the MSU softball team was forced to take a break from its game against Bowling Green to wait for nearby lightning to pass. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:57:48 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/spartans_stomp_falcons_8-0 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/rainy_weather_leaves_team_games_in_lurch The MSU softball team is trying to get better, head coach Jacquie Joseph said. It’s just running out of chances to do it. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:21:24 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/rainy_weather_leaves_team_games_in_lurch http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/with_boost_of_confidence_from_cmu_win_team_readies_for_iowa Coming off the biggest comeback of the season, a 7-6 extra-innings win over Central Michigan, the MSU softball team is looking to use the confidence from the victory to push it to the first Big Ten win this season. Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:59:53 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/with_boost_of_confidence_from_cmu_win_team_readies_for_iowa http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/spartans_recover_from_early-inning_blunders_to_top_central_michigan The MSU softball team snapped its seven-game slide with a late-inning flurry, beating Central Michigan 7-6 in extra innings. Although the Spartans took six innings to score their first run, they only needed three batters to take the game in the bottom of the eighth. Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:26:54 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/spartans_recover_from_early-inning_blunders_to_top_central_michigan http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/letting_it_get_away The MSU softball team nearly captured its first Big Ten victory Sunday but lost control in the last few innings, losing to Indiana 5-2 in extra innings, its seventh-straight loss. The Spartans were bolstered early by strong pitching by senior Megan Hair. Hair was nearly flawless through the first four innings, not giving up a hit and allowing only three Hoosiers to reach base. Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:16:21 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/letting_it_get_away http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/msu_routed_by_purdue After crushing Detroit Mercy in its first homestand, the second time back for the MSU softball team wasn’t as pleasant. The team was beat handily by Purdue in its doubleheader Thursday, losing 12-0 in the first game and 8-3 in the nightcap. Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:47:04 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/msu_routed_by_purdue http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/no_place_like_home_for_msu After recent snow pushed the MSU softball team’s doubleheader with Purdue to today, the Spartans spent Wednesday’s practice catching up for lost time. Because of scheduling and bad weather, the team wasn’t able to practice on the field for nearly a week, something the team will try to counter as it prepares for one of the fastest teams in the Big Ten, head coach Jacquie Joseph said. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:57:10 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/no_place_like_home_for_msu http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/softball_games_moved_to_thursday The MSU softball team’s doubleheader against Purdue, originally scheduled for today, has been moved to Thursday, according to MSU Athletic Communications. Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:45:53 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/04/softball_games_moved_to_thursday http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/03/spartans_sweep_doubleheader_with_titans In Tuesday’s home opener, the MSU softball team waited until the bottom of the seventh inning to win the game on a walk-off home run by sophomore shortstop Lindsey Hansen. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:16:23 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/03/spartans_sweep_doubleheader_with_titans http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/03/msu_heads_to_nc_for_tar_heel_invitational The MSU softball team was on a roll this weekend, having outscored its two opponents 23-8 in two games going into Sunday’s doubleheader. Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:36:34 -0500 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/03/msu_heads_to_nc_for_tar_heel_invitational http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/03/shortstop_honored_by_conference MSU sophomore shortstop Lindsey Hansen was named the Big Ten Softball Player of the Week after leading the team to two victories this week in the Magic City Classic. Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:28:15 -0500 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/03/shortstop_honored_by_conference http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/02/spartans_look_to_improve_upon_4-6_start MSU softball coach Jacquie Joseph doesn’t beat around the bush — she’s disappointed in her team’s performance at this point in the young season. Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:34:14 -0500 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/02/spartans_look_to_improve_upon_4-6_start http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/02/baseball_softball_teams_struggle_to_start_regular_season Coming off an Opening Day victory, the MSU baseball team dropped its final two games of the weekend to fall to 1-2 on the season. The Spartans defeated Connecticut 4-2 in their first game of the season but fell to Seton Hall 8-4 on Saturday and Minnesota 7-2 on Sunday. Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:55:53 -0500 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2009/02/baseball_softball_teams_struggle_to_start_regular_season http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2008/05/spartan_teams_compete_in_big_ten_tournament_play While most students were enjoying their break from classes and the stresses of college, these Spartans were busy at work competing for Big Ten titles. Here’s a rundown of what you missed while you were vacationing. Sun, 11 May 2008 21:17:54 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2008/05/spartan_teams_compete_in_big_ten_tournament_play http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2008/05/spartans_upset_wolverines_in_big_ten_tournament The MSU softball team stunned No. 6 Michigan, 2-1, in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday. Thu, 08 May 2008 18:43:41 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2008/05/spartans_upset_wolverines_in_big_ten_tournament http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2008/04/softball_team_suffers_injuries_still_defeats_oakland Despite sweeping Oakland in Wednesday’s doubleheader that lasted four hours, it was a rough victory for the MSU softball team. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:55:31 -0400 http://statenews.com./index.php/article/2008/04/softball_team_suffers_injuries_still_defeats_oakland