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Sports | 1000

SOFTBALL

Spartans split key road series

MSU head softball coach Jacquie Joseph said she wanted to use the team's first Big Ten road contests to see how her team measures up to tougher squads.By splitting a four-game series with Minnesota and Wisconsin, Joseph said her team is still good enough to be mentioned with the top teams in the Big Ten."I felt we should have come out of this weekend 3-1," she said.

SPORTS

Sports briefs

Gymnasts place 5th in last meet of season The MSU gymnastics team placed fifth out of six teams at the NCAA Central Regional on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Spartans amassed a total score of 194.575 to finish above Kent State, but behind Alabama, Auburn, Central Michigan and Oklahoma.

SPORTS

Sports briefs

Sluggers go on road to take on Hoosiers The MSU baseball team will look to gain some ground in the Big Ten this weekend with four games. The Spartans will face Indiana in a four-game series beginning today at 3 p.m.

SOFTBALL

Hurlers figure to control games

If the MSU softball team expects to continue its hot start, then it needs to be at its best at the plate. The Spartans (24-9, 4-1 Big Ten) face some of the conference's top pitchers when it travels to face Minnesota (26-10, 4-2) and Wisconsin (13-16, 2-4) this weekend.

SPORTS

Team goes nuts waiting on 1st game

Spring fever has hit the Lansing Lugnuts. Of course it doesn't help that it's eight days into the season and the team has yet to play a full game. The squad made it through the first three South Bend batters during its April 3 home opener before driving rain forced fans and players to scurry for cover. Since then, snow, near-freezing weather and poor field conditions have caused the cancellation of seven games - the Lugnuts' entire home-opening stand. Lansing travels to South Bend, Ind., today for a 7:30 p.m.

SPORTS

Tigers are difficult to watch even for faithful

Sigh. After meticulously counting down the moments until Opening Day arrived at Comerica Park, sitting through a 9-19 showing in spring training and returning north for eight miserable losses, I remember now why I was so eager to forget the last Tigers baseball season. Call me crazy (and I'm sure you will), but when Detroit finished 55-106 last year, I really, really thought this year couldn't be any worse. It was the worst season Detroit had since 1996.

FOOTBALL

Catching on

He's No. 1 on MSU's wide receiver depth chart, his coaches love his speed and his teammates are lauding his leadership - but he is yet to catch one pass in a game of college football. After former Spartan standout Charles Rogers broke the MSU record books and entered the NFL Draft, MSU's depleted receiving corps is forced to look for a fresh start.

BASKETBALL

Gregory takes Dayton head-coaching job

After much speculation, MSU basketball associate head coach Brian Gregory accepted the head-coaching position at Dayton on Wednesday afternoon."I'm honored and excited to be named the head basketball coach at the University of Dayton," Gregory said at a press conference.

ICE HOCKEY

Liles, Fast honored again

MSU (23-14-2) wasn't an elite hockey team this season, but it wasn't for a lack of elite players. Two Spartans - senior defensemen John-Michael Liles and Brad Fast - were named to the JOFA All-American teams announced Wednesday by the American Hockey Coaches Association. Liles made the West First Team, while Fast was named to the West Second Team. Of the 24 players honored Wednesday, only three were on teams that didn't qualify for the NCAA Tournament - Liles, Fast and Yale forward Chris Higgins. "In order to have a good individual season, you often need to be on a successful team," Liles said.

SPORTS

Manz, Krzyminski garner team MVP honors

Eight Spartan athletes were honored at the combined awards banquet for the men's and women's cross country and track and field teams this weekend. On the cross country side, sophomore Chris Toloff and junior Michelle Carson were named the teams' most valuable performers, while juniors Andrew Marsh and Sarah Pepera were voted as the most improved runners. For the track and field teams, juniors Steve Manz (throws) and Jamie Krzyminski (distance) were dubbed team MVPs.

SOFTBALL

Clutch hitting major reason for early success

Experience, hard work and a new attitude have led to the MSU softball team's excellent start this season.After going 24-35 overall and 4-15 in the Big Ten in 2002, the Spartans (24-9 overall, 4-1 Big Ten) need just one win to eclipse last season's overall and conference win totals.

SPORTS

Internet service attracts 'U' fans

Spartan athletics officials say the switch from a free to a pay service for watching games online has improved coverage of Spartan sports, including press conferences and extra content of less visible teams.Since the fall, www.msuspartans.com has been charging a fee to users for the right to view athletic events online.

FOOTBALL

Smith keeps players on alert with coaching style

MSU football head coach John L. Smith has his players on their toes this spring.From his casual stride around the Duffy Daugherty Football Building and his approachable, personable demeanor, it wouldn't be expected that Smith is forcing his players to keep one eye open for him at all times."Some of the time, you think he's around," sophomore wide receiver Kyle Brown said, shifting his eyes for emphasis.

SPORTS

Players honored at annual banquet

Several players snagged honors at the annual field hockey banquet. The squad's Most Valuable Player award went to senior midfielder Cynthia Martin, while sophomore midfielder Annebet Beerman and sophomore back Judith van Haeringen were chosen as Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively. Rookie of the Year accolades went to goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy.