The MSU softball team split two games in Nevada during the weekend, kicking off its season with a 1-1 record. Scoring three runs in the final inning for the victory, the Spartans upset No.
The MSU softball team announced its 2005 schedule, with highlights being a five-team season opening tournament Feb.
The MSU softball team ended its season at the NCAA Regional in Athens, Ga., with a 9-1 loss to host school, Georgia. The Spartans managed only one run and six hits for the entire game and were unable to muster up any offense. "I think it's putting together hits and we didn't do that," senior third baseman Brittney Green said.
A broad smile formed on Jessica Beech's face as she couldn't contain her excitement after learning her team's destination for the NCAA Tournament. The senior pitcher clapped loudly with her teammates as cheers erupted throughout the Berkowitz Basketball Complex.
The frustration was building as the rain delay continued and Jessica Beech began walking around the Oosterbaan Fieldhouse, at the University of Michigan, to kill time before game one of the Big Ten tournament. For Beech, a senior pitcher, this was to be her last Big Ten tournament and maybe her last game if the Spartans couldn't beat the top seed U-M on its home field.
Jessica Beech pitched four perfect innings on the mound and chalked up three strikeouts as the MSU softball team defeated Eastern Michigan, 5-1, on Wednesday. Sophomore catcher Elizabeth Peterson knocked in two runs for the Spartans in this nonconference game.
The MSU softball team expected to sit higher than sixth place in the Big Ten at this point in the season.
Down by five at the top of the seventh inning Sunday, with one out and the bases loaded, the MSU softball team was hoping to pull off an upset against Indiana. Up to bat was senior third base Brittney Green, wanting to be the hero again after hitting a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning in the first game of the afternoon's doubleheader. Green faced Megan Roark, the same Purdue pitcher in the second game as she did in game one, when she hit her fifth home run on the year. But this time, Roark struck out Green and then sophomore catcher Elizabeth Peterson to hang on for an 8-3 Hoosiers win. "We continually have inconsistencies in our performances," MSU head coach Jacquie Joseph said.
Sporting dreadlocks and a killer swing, senior first base Nat Furrow is carrying the MSU softball team to offensive greatness. Furrow leads the team and Big Ten with a .447 batting average, in addition to owning the most hits (63) and doubles (16). "I think as you get older, if you keep working, you become a better player," she said.
Poor pitching continues to plague the MSU softball team, which dropped both games in a doubleheader against Penn State Sunday. The Spartans (24-19 overall, 4-8 Big Ten) lost, 6-1 and 11-6, to the Nittany Lions (18-25, 4-6) at Nittany Lion Field in University Park, Pa.
The MSU softball team is at a critical stage in its Big Ten season as it travels to Ohio State and Penn State for four games this weekend. "We're 3-5 in the Big Ten and we're going to play two teams that are right about where we're at, with Penn State being a little down in compared to Ohio State," head coach Jacquie Joseph said.
Jessica Beech pitched her third no-hitter of the season and senior Nat Furrow hit two home runs as MSU swept Oakland on Wednesday at Old College Field by scores of 7-1 and 8-0, respectively. Beech is now alone atop the Big Ten in wins, with 18. "I was thrilled with the effort, because a lesser team would've had a letdown today," MSU head coach Jacquie Joseph said.
The MSU softball team hosts an Oakland squad that has less than half the wins the Spartans have.
A friendly softball rivalry that has survived almost 10 years and more than 2,200 miles is still alive and well. On Sunday, MSU third base Brittney Green faced two longtime rivals, catcher/first base Meghann Reiss and utility player Kaitlin Reiss of Wisconsin.
With a five-run lead and an ace in the hole, MSU softball head coach Jacquie Joseph thought a doubleheader sweep of Wisconsin was a safe bet. After winning the first game, 7-5, the Spartans (21-16 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) took a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth of the second game.
After spending the majority of the season on the road, including the past six games, the MSU softball team is back in the comforts of its own dugout to open up the Big Ten season at home. The Spartans (19-14, 1-3 Big Ten) hope to put their recent woes behind them - 1-4 in the past five - as Minnesota (22-11, 3-1) and Wisconsin (21-17, 1-3) come to East Lansing.
Despite a record-setting performance from its star pitcher, the MSU softball team endured a rocky start to its Big Ten season this past weekend. Two losses in a doubleheader at Iowa on Sunday capped a four-game road trip for the Spartans (19-13 overall, 1-3 Big Ten). Before falling to the Hawkeyes (22-15, 4-0), MSU split a pair of games at Illinois, losing, 7-1, in its Big Ten opener on Friday and winning, 2-0, on Saturday.
Led by senior pitcher Jessica Beech, the MSU softball team launched its home season with a convincing sweep of Valparaiso on Saturday at Old College Field. The Spartans (17-10) made just one error and registered 15 hits and three home runs in the doubleheader. "These are the things we need to do," head coach Jacquie Joseph said.
Returning home to Old College Field after more than a month of road games, the MSU softball team (15-10) begins its home schedule against Valparaiso (3-8) on Saturday. MSU looks to improve upon its 0-3 record when facing nationally ranked opponents this year with the start of their home schedule and Big Ten Conference games. Head coach Jacquie Joseph conceded the team has dropped a couple of games they could have pulled out, but added that they are in a good position for this time of the year. "We are exactly where I thought we would be," she said.
MSU softball shined in the Buckeye Invitational, posting wins against Oakland and Robert Morris on Saturday.