MSU softball offense sputters, drops 2-1 series finale to Indiana

Michigan State dropped the final contest of the three-game series with Indiana on Sunday, falling 2-1 at Secchia Stadium. MSU won the series with victories on Friday and Saturday, but sit at 22-21, 4-9 B1G after the weekend series.

The Spartans secured a Saturday victory with just four hits, but could only scratch one run out on Sunday with seven hits on the board. Seven different Spartans had a hit on the day, and MSU left five on base.

Both IU runs came in the fifth inning, on a two-RBI double by Kelsey Dotson.

MSU has another four games on tap in the coming week. The Spartans play a 6 p.m. game at Michigan on Tuesday, then are off to Chicago for a three-game series at Northwestern that begins Friday evening.

"The things that helped us win yesterday weren't there today," said head coach Jacquie Joseph. "Our baserunning, and Indiana being able to turn two double plays, took the air out of our game and we didn't get timely hits that we needed to advance runners. There aren't a lot of formulas that are going to allow us to win games by scoring one run. Dani and Z [Kristina Zalewski] certainly pitched well enough to win this game today, and we just didnt come up with the offense to come through with the win."

Stats and storylines

The Hoosiers had baserunners in each of the first two innings, but got runners on the corners thanks to a walk and a single to right by Erin Lehman. Kristina Zalewski came on in relief of Dani Goranson at that point, and got a lineout to second and a ground ball to end the inning with no damage.

MSU got on the board int he bottom of the third. With two outs, Destinee Luna reached on an error and went to third on a single by Lea Foerster. Ebonee Echols also reached on an error, and rounded the base in an effort to get Foerster home from third; Foerster was gunned down at the plate, however, ending the inning.

Kelsey Dotson delivered a two-run double with two out in the top of the fifth, giving the Hoosiers their first lead of the day. Rebecca Blitz and Erin Lehman had singles to put a pair of runners on base, and Dotson's hit to right plated both runners.

Top performers

Dani Goranson started the game and went 2.1 innings, allowing a pair of hits and striking out two. .

Kristina Zalewski entered the game in the third inning, throwing the balance of the game and striking out two, allowing two runs on four hits.