Fresno State Athletics
Big Inning Helps Michigan State Roll Past North Carolina
5/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 15, 2003
FRESNO, Calif. - Michigan State used an eight-run fourth inning to rout North Carolina (39-21-1) 9-1 in five innings in a first round NCAA Regional Championship game on Thursday afternoon.
The Spartans (38-17) got on the board quickly, scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning. After back-to-back singles by Sandy Lewis and Natalie Furrow, Janette Hurtado doubled to left center as Lewis came around to score on the play and give Michigan State a 1-0 lead.
Meanwhile, Jessica Beech was holding the Tar Heels in check on the mound. Beech finished the game allowing just three hits in five innings with four K's.
MSU manufactured seven runs in the fourth inning to break the game open, thanks to some aggressive baserunning and North Carolina miscues. Hurtado walked and advanced to second on a bunt single by Beech. Lacy Hauxhurst then reached on an error, allowing Hurtado to come around and score the second run while Beech moved to third. Angel Merren followed by reaching base safely on a bunt single of her own, plating Beach and moving Hauxhurst to third for a 3-0 lead.
But the Spartans were just getting started as consecutive singles by Green and Lewis gave MSU at 5-0 edge.
Natalie Furrow then reached on a fielder's choice and a UNC error allowed Lewis, Green and eventually Furrow to cross the plate for an 8-0 advantage.
After Tiffany Wallace grounded out for the inning's second out, Hurtado singled to center and came around to score on a triple by Beech. That gave Michigan State a commanding 9-0 lead in the game as the Tar Heels were looking at a run-rule loss.
North Carolina pushed across its only run of the game in the fifth inning, as Jaclyn Holden scored on a RBI double by Dionne Streete.
Michigan State faces the winner of tonight's contest between No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Long Island.
