Late Rally Falls Short on Senior Day

Sunday, May 7

1:00 PM ET

Indiana University

23-29, 0

Michigan State University

28-21, 0

Michigan State

Indiana

5/7/2017 4:22:00 PM | Softball

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Despite scoring five unanswered runs, Indiana Softball (23-29, 9-13 Big Ten) could not overcome an early deficit as the Hoosiers fell to Michigan State (28-21, 10-12 Big Ten) on Senior Day, 6-5.

The Spartans put up a five-run third inning that would ultimately decide the game. IU and MSU combined for 24 hits in the game, including 10 from the Hoosiers.

Senior CaraMia Tsirigos, freshman Gabbi Jenkins and juniors Rebecca Blitz and Rachel O'Malley each put up a multi-hit performance. Tsirigos also plated a pair of runs, collected an RBI and drew a walk in her impressive Senior Day outing.

Michigan State took an early 1-0 lead on an RBI double by Kaitlyn Eveland to right center to plate McKenzie Long. The Spartans pushed the advantage to 6-0 in the third as they knocked seven hits, including three for extra bases, capped by a two-run homer from Lexi White.

The Hoosiers got three of those runs back in the home half of the third. Junior Taylor Uden put Indiana on the board as she singled to shortstop to score Blitz. O'Malley then hit a two-run triple to right center, bringing home Tsirigos and Uden.

Indiana closed the gap to 6-4 in the fifth frame as Tsirigos snaked a single just inside fair territory down the first base line, scoring Jenkins, who had reached on a lead-off single.

Freshman Emily Goodin, in to relieve starter redshirt sophomore Emily Kirk, retired six of the final seven batters she saw to keep Indiana within two runs.

IU put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh, sparked by a double from Tsirigos. A single by O'Malley put runners on the corners before freshman Katie Lacefield singled to left center to bring Tsirigos home and cut the deficit to 6-5. However, a groundout would end the game.

Kristina Zalewski earned the win in the circle for MSU, tossing a complete game and striking out 10.

The teams return to Andy Mohr Field tomorrow for the rubber match in the final game of the regular season. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. and admission is free of charge.