Indiana Falls to Michigan State in Big Ten Tournament

Thursday, May 11

Ann Arbor, Mich.

4:30 PM

Indiana University

Michigan State University - First Round

Indiana Falls to Michigan State in Big Ten Tournament

5/11/2017 8:01:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Indiana Softball fell to Michigan State in the First Round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, 8-7. The Hoosiers carried a 7-4 lead into the sixth, but a four-run MSU sixth inning proved to be the difference maker.

The Hoosiers finished the 2017 campaign with a 23-31 mark, including a 9-14 Big Ten record.

Senior Erin Lehman and freshmen Katie Lacefield and Gabbi Jenkins each posted multi-hit games, while juniors Rachel O'Malley and Taylor Uden each plated a pair of runs. Lehman and Lacefield both added a pair of RBI.

The Spartans jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the first as Kaitlyn Eveland knocked a three-run homer to right center, plating Kelcey Carrasco and McKenzie Long.

A wild top of the second inning plated four Hoosier runs as Indiana took a 4-3 lead on four doubles and a single. Uden led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a groundout. She then scored the first IU run of the day as Lacefield doubled to right. With two outs, freshman Bella Norton and Lehman hit back-to-back doubles to tie the game at 3-3. Jenkins then put the Hoosiers on top on a single to center, plating Lehman.

The IU lead wouldn't last long however as Lexi White led off the frame with a homer to tie the game at 4-4.

After going quietly in the third, Indiana put two on the start the fourth as O'Malley was hit by a pitch and Lacefield reached on a sacrifice bunt attempt. A flyout moved O'Malley to third before Lehman sent a single through the right side to score her and give IU a 5-4 lead.

The Hoosiers added on their lead in the fifth, scoring twice with two outs. After Uden drew a walk, O'Malley put two on via a single to left. Lacefield then picked up her second RBI of the game on a single to right, scoring Uden. O'Malley was brought home on a single from junior Aimilia McDonough to left.

Michigan State's Eveland drew a walk to lead-off the home half of the fifth. However, a fielder's choice picked up the first out before Lehman and Uden connected for an inning-ending double play.

However, the Spartans would rally to put together a four-run sixth inning to take an 8-7 lead. Lea Foerster singled to plate White and make it 7-5 before a bases-loaded walk to Eveland made it a one-run game. In to pinch hit, Jordan Davis put MSU on top with a two-run double down the left field line.

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