Saturday, March 27, 2004

Valparaiso's softball team dropped a doubleheader against Michigan State 10-2 and 4-0 on Saturday afternoon in East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State jumped in front from the beginning of game one, scoring five times in the opening inning. After the Spartans added another run in the third, Valpo got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth. An RBI ground out by Ashlee Blankenbaker plated Amy Mitchell, and Taylor Callahan also scored on an error by the catcher.

The Spartans rallied with four more runs in the bottom of the inning though to close out the game. Jessica Beach registered the win for Michigan State, while Amanda Gilbertson suffered the loss.

In game two, Michigan State (17-10) again jumped out early, scoring all four runs in the opening inning, three on a home run by Dayna Feenstra. Blankenbaker shut down the Spartans the rest of the way, limiting Michigan State to just five hits for the game, all in the opening inning. Beech earned her second win of the day in the shutout.

Valpo (4-11) will travel to Ann Arbor, Mich. on Sunday for a 12 p.m. CST doubleheader.