In-State Rival Dominates Spartans

It was a cloudy Sunday as Michigan State faced off against the University of Michigan. Although the Spartans avoided a predicted rainstorm, they did not miss the downpour the Wolverines’ offense brought to the plate in the final inning.

The series of relentless runs began in the top of the third with the a three-run homer from Michigan’s left fielder, Sierra Lawrence, putting Michigan on the board with a 3-0 lead.

Women's Softball: No. 14 Michigan vs. MSU (Game 2)The home run ignited an offensive flame for the Wolverines. Once it was lit, there was no putting it out. The seventh inning storm of hits left the Spartans defenseless.

Michigan’s Kelly Christner started the seventh with a single with an advance on an MSU error placing her onto second. Lawrence followed up with a RBI single with another MSU error advancing her to second. Michigan catcher, Lauren Sweet, brought Lawrence and herself home with a two-run home run, making the score 7-0. Following Sweet was third baseman, Lindsay Montemarano, who responded to Sweet’s home run with a solo home run of her own, giving the Wolverines an 8-0 lead early in the seventh.

The seventh inning hurricane did not end there. Michigan’s Sara Driesenga cleaned house with a grand slam to establish the final score of 14-0. Following the grand slam, the Wolverines received their fifth straight hit with Sweet’s second double. The hit was also the 15th hit of the day for the Wolverines.

The growing numbers on the scoreboard left MSU pitcher Valerie Kaff flustered. During a team timeout following Driesenga’s grand slam, teammates rallied around Kaff to lift her spirits to finish the final inning and put an end to the storm.

Women's Softball: No. 14 Michigan vs. MSU (Game 2)The Spartans had a ray of sunshine through the black sky when shortstop Destinee Luna ended the inning with a phenomenal diving catch leaving two Wolverines on base.

Despite the maize and blue dominance, fans remained in their seats and teammates on the fence of the dugout cheering on their Lady Spartans the entire seven innings.

After the final pitch was thrown and the final score of 14-0 was marked, young fans eagerly lined up outside Secchia Stadium to receive autographs during the player meet and greet following the in-state rivalry matchup.


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Nicole Daniel is a multimedia journalist for Impact Sports.

Photo: Hannah McEnroe/Impact Sports