Central Michigan University Athletics
Four-run First Inning Dooms Softball
4/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 16, 2003
EAST LANSING -- The Chippewas put seven runners on base but couldn't plate one of them as the Central Michigan University softball team fell to host Michigan State on Wednesday, 4-0.
The Spartans used four hits in the first inning to score four runs off starter Amber Puchalski. Three of the runs were unearned.
CMU, on the other hand, managed just four hits in the game and failed to score a run for the third time in the last four outings.
The win improved MSU to 27-11 overall while CMU fell to 19-12.
Michelle Brander picked up two of the Chippewas' four hits and she was intentionally walked in her other at-bat. Brittany Decker and Natalie de la Vega each had singles for CMU.
Spartan hurler Jessica Beech picked up her 20th win of the season while fanning six CMU batters. Puchalski suffered the loss after giving up the four first-inning hits that led to the four runs. She struck out one and walked two. Jenni Rasmussen tossed two innings of relief, allowing a pair of hits.
MSU was quick to rally in the first as leadoff hitter Brittany Green walked and was immediately sacrificed to second. A wild pitch moved Green to third and she scored on an RBI single by Sandy Lewis. Tiffany Wallace then singled to right field and Lewis should have been thrown out trying to advance to third on the play but the ball was dropped on the tag at third.
A bunt single on a suicide attempt by Natalie Furrow scored Lewis and put runners at second and third. That set the table for Janette Hurtado who doubled down the left field line to give MSU the early 4-0 advantage.
Puchalski didn't allow a hit the next three innings but she was relieved in the top of the fifth by Rasmussen.
The Chippewas host Buffalo for a three-game series this weekend at the CMU Softball Complex. Friday's single game begins at 3:30 p.m., and Saturday's doubleheader starts at 1 p.m.
