Feb. 18, 2007

Final Stats

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Michigan State softball team (3-1) concluded play at the Hampton Inn Bama Bash with a 9-2 victory over Radford (2-7) on Sunday afternoon. For their efforts in tournament play, junior outfielder Traci Nicosia and sophomore catcher Kara Weigle were honored with a spot on the all-tournament team.

The Spartans posted 14 hits, compared to just hits by the Highlander offense in the victory. Weigle went 3-for-4 at the plate, including her fourth triple of the season. Rightfielder Nicole Mercado also contributed three hits, adding one run and two RBI. Traci Nicosia concluded a strong weekend at the plate, posting two hits, including her third double of the year. The Plantation, Fla., native added one run and three RBI in Sunday's victory.

Traci Nicosia tallied seven hits, including three doubles in weekend action.

Shortstop Meghan Darhower tallied two hits and two RBI, and second baseman Gina Mondo and third baseman Caitlin Mahoney each added one hit and one run. Designated player Kelly Confer contributed one hit, and pinch hitter Dana Rosenblatt added one hit and one RBI for the Spartan offense.

Senior hurler Rachel Turney threw her first complete game of the season, improving her record to 2-1. The Lansing, Mich., native allowed six hits and two earned runs, striking out five Highlanders in the victory.

Radford scored two runs in the top half of the first for an early 2-0 advantage. Michigan State answered in the third with a four-run two-out rally. A Mahoney single and Feenstra walk sparked the offense, putting runners on first and second for Traci Nicosia at the plate. Nicosia and Mercado tallied back-to-back RBI singles, followed by a two-run single to left from Darhower for a 4-2 advantage.

State added three runs in the bottom half of the fourth behind a pinch-hit RBI single from Rosenblatt and two-run double from Traci Nicosia. The Spartans crossed the dish for two insurance runs in the sixth, and Turney held Radford to just three hits through the final six innings to close the 9-2 victory for MSU.

Pitcher Ashley Taylor (0-3) took the loss for the Highlanders.

Michigan State continues non-conference play when it travels to the highly competitive Palm Springs Classic, Feb. 23-25. State is scheduled to face No. 9 UCLA, Cal State Fullerton, No. 1 Tennessee, No. 15/17 Washington and Oklahoma State in pool play.

Tournament Notes
- Michigan State recorded its fifth-consecutive season-opening victory with a 13-9 win versus Toledo on Feb. 17. State is now 26-10 all-time in season openers, and 10-4 under current head coach Jacquie Joseph.
- Catcher Kara Weigle led MSU with 24 total bases and a 10-for-15 performance at the plate (.667).
- Weigle also contributed team highs with four triples, two home runs, eight runs scored and nine RBI.
- Weigle's six RBI in State's 13-9 victory over Toledo matched the second-highest single-game total in Spartan history.
- Leftfielder Traci Nicosia tallied seven hits, including three doubles and five RBI.
- Rightfielder Nicole Mercado contributed seven hits and four RBI in 14 appearances at the plate.
- Centerfielder Nikki Nicosia paced the Spartan baserunners with three stolen bases.
- As a team, MSU drew 16 walks, led by Dayna Feenstra with six.
- Pitcher Rachel Turney finished weekend action with a 2-1 record, allowing 16 hits in 16.0 innings pitched, while striking out nine.
- In her collegiate debut, hurler Kelly Confer allowed four hits in 4.2 innings to begin the season 1-0.
- Pitchers Megan Hair and Lesley Noel each made two relief appearances for MSU.