Dotson Powers Hoosiers to 2-1 Victory

Sunday, April 17

East Lansing, MI

1:00 PM

Indiana University

23-19, 6-8

Michigan State University

22-21, 4-9

Indiana

Michigan State

4/17/2016 4:28:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Behind a fifth-inning two-run double by senior Kelsey Dotson and a complete game showing from sophomore pitcher Emily Kirk, Indiana Softball took the series finale against Michigan State on Sunday afternoon, 2-1.

The complete game win was the second of Kirk's career as she allowed just one extra-base hit and one walk on the day.

Indiana (23-19, 6-8 Big Ten) came out aggressively and put at least one runner on in each of the first five innings as the Hoosiers looked to avoid the series sweep. Junior Erin Lehman, who collected three hits on the day, knocked a one-out single in the first inning, but was left stranded.

After freshman Sarah Galovich drew a lead-off walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Rebecca Bltz in the third, Lehman's second hit of the day put runners on the corners. She then picked up her first of two steals to move into scoring position, but a lineout and groundout ended the threat.

Kirk retired the first six Spartans (22-21, 4-9 Big Ten) in order before a lead-off single in the third. A double play ball got her out of that jam, but a two-out single by Lea Foerster and an Indiana error put two on. Michigan State took advantage of another Indiana fielding error as the tag was missed at first on a grounder, allowing Foerster to score from third and give the Spartans a 1-0 lead.

The Hoosiers responded in the fifth as Blitz and Lehman knocked back-to-back one-out singles. Lehman then stole second to set the stage for Dotson, who doubled down the right field line to give Indiana the decisive 2-1 advantage.

The Spartans looked to respond in the sixth frame as they drew a leadoff walk. However, Kirk quickly ended that threat as she turned a double play on a liner back to the circle. Michigan State then knocked a pair of singles, but ended the inning on a flyout to right.

Kirk made quick work of the Spartans in the final frame as she sent them down in order on a trio of groundouts.

Up next, the Hoosiers play host to in-state foe Ball State on Wednesday evening in the final non-conference game of the year before heading to Rutgers next weekend.