Grapplers win 1 of 2

The MSU wrestling team closed out the Big Ten portion of its schedule with a split of two road matches.

The No. 9 Spartans (10-6, 6-2 Big Ten) beat No. 16 Purdue 23-9 Friday and lost to No. 8 Illinois in a Saturday heartbreaker, 17-16.

In Friday's match with the Boilermakers, senior Gray Maynard became the 14th Spartan to reach 100 career victories.

Sluggers get the best of Centenary in series

The MSU baseball team opened the 2003 season on a winning note.

The Spartans (2-1) took two of three games from Centenary with both victories coming Saturday in a doubleheader by scores of 7-3 in the opener and 16-3 in the nightcap.

MSU dropped the final game of the series 11-10.

Sophomore infielder Travis Gulick had a career-high four hits and five RBIs in the second game of the doubleheader.

Thompson triumphs twice in team shutout

The MSU women's tennis team continued its domination at home this weekend.

The Spartans (6-5) trounced Ball State 7-0 Saturday at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility. MSU is 6-1 at home.

Sophomore Keri Thompson had an outstanding day as she and doubles partner junior Caroline Lay improved their record to 7-1. Thompson improved her singles record to 8-0 on the season.

Softball drops 3 in weekend tournament

After a successful opening weekend, the MSU softball team was brought back down to earth this weekend.

The Spartans (4-3), dropped three of four games in the Softball By The Beach Tournament, including two 2-1 losses in extra innings to San Diego State and UC-Santa Barbara on the first day. MSU rebounded on the second day by shutting out San Diego 6-0. But the Spartans fell to Cal State Northridge 2-0.

Junior pitcher Jessica Beech (4-1) was dominant as she allowed just three hits, while fanning 13 batters in two appearances.

Alexander claims title as team gets victory

The MSU gymnastics team won the Country Markett Spartan Invitational for the fourth consecutive year.

The Spartans (8-5), defeated Illinois 194.900-193.600 for MSU's 10th victory in the 14 years of the Invitational.

Freshman Sarah Alexander won the all-around title with a score of 39.350 - the best score in Spartan Invitational history. She also won the vault and balance beam events, while tying for first on the floor exercise and tying for second on the uneven bars.

Briefs by Jason Carmel Davis