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Sports | Softball

SOFTBALL

Spartans missing pitching in losses

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.

SOFTBALL

'U' readies for 4-game weekend

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.

SOFTBALL

WEB ONLY: Softball mauls Golden Grizzlies, 7-0 and 8-0

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.

SOFTBALL

Senior infielder reunited with longtime rivals

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.

SOFTBALL

Sloppy split

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.

SOFTBALL

Spartans return home to play Big Ten opponents

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.

SOFTBALL

Pitcher breaks record, can't help 'U' struggles

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.

SOFTBALL

Spartans sweep Valpo

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.

SOFTBALL

'U' to host Valpo in home opener

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.

SOFTBALL

Spartans hoping for easy weekend, more wins

The MSU softball team hopes to continue its quest for a Big Ten title this weekend when it faces conference cellar dwellers Indiana and Purdue. The fourth-place Spartans (30-14 overall, 8-5 Big Ten) will tussle with both the Hoosiers (17-27, 0-12) and the Boilermakers (31-22, 4-8) - 11th and ninth in the Big Ten, respectively - at Old College Field.

SOFTBALL

'U' tries to avoid upset

The MSU softball team's tour against in-state competition continues with a nonconference doubleheader against Oakland today. The Spartans (29-13 overall, 8-5 Big Ten) have already faced Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Central Michigan, with games against Detroit-Mercy and Michigan still ahead.

SOFTBALL

Queen of the mound

On a team with a young, unproven pitching staff, junior pitcher Jessica Beech has put the MSU softball team on her back and has the team in the thick of the Big Ten conference race. After being No.

SOFTBALL

Softball goes .500 over weekend

The rollercoaster that is the MSU softball team's Big Ten season continued this weekend as the Spartans split a four-game road set with Penn State and Ohio State.The Buckeyes (23-18, 4-6 Big Ten) used the longball to defeat the Spartans (29-13, 8-5) in the opener, as two of Ohio State's three hits in the game were home runs.MSU's best chances to score came in the first and seventh innings.

SOFTBALL

Softball hits road to take on Big Ten foes

Another pivotal weekend in the Big Ten awaits the MSU softball team as it heads out on a four-game road trip to Penn State and Ohio State. The Spartans (27-11 overall, 6-3 Big Ten) hope to improve on their fourth-place position in the conference.

SOFTBALL

Spartans shut out Chippewas

An explosive first inning was all the MSU softball team needed to down Central Michigan 4-0 on Wednesday at Old College Field.The Spartans (27-11 overall, 6-3 Big Ten) lit up Chippewa pitcher Amber Puchalski for four hits in their first at-bats.MSU also benefited from a wild pitch and aggressive base running to jump to a quick four-run lead."The first inning really set the tone for us," MSU sophomore second base Janette Hurtado said.