Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Kyla Sullivan, recently named Mid-American Conference West Division Pitcher of the Week, worked a complete game and allowed four hits and just one earned run in Western Michigan's 1-0 loss to Big Ten opponent Michigan State on Tuesday afternoon at Fran Ebert Field.
Western Michigan (12-13) allowed one hit in the first inning, two hits in the sixth inning and one more in the top of the seventh inning but it was a lone earned run by Michigan State (20-17) in the top of the sixth inning that was the determining factor in the Spartans' win over the Broncos on Tuesday.
Nikki Nicosia led off the frame with a base hit to right field and was sacrificed over with a bunt by Jessica LeFevre one batter later. Nicosia advanced to third base when Kara Weigle grounded out to first base. She scored when sister Tracy Nicosia single through the left side of the infield.
The Broncos' first hit came in the bottom of the fourth inning when Mandi Sayres led the inning off with a base hit to right field. She advanced to second base on a Kristi Strange ground out and then to third on an Amanda Heckaman ground out. She was stranded 60 feet away from home plate when the inning ended with another ground out. MSU forced the Broncos into 12 ground outs during the afternoon.
Molly Mroczek collected WMU's second hit of the day in the bottom of the sixth but the Broncos were unable to even the score when the next two batters went down in order.
The Broncos built a rally in their last at bat. Heckaman led off with a single up the middle. Pinch runner Sarah Thomas was called out at second base when Becky Bartosz reached on a fielder's choice. Brittney Reist was hit by a pitch one batter later to give Western Michigan runners on first and second base but the game ended when Sullivan lined out to second base.
Sullivan, falling to 7-8, worked seven innings and struck out three batters, while MSU's Lesley Noel improved to 4-2 with 3.0 innings of work, fanning a pair. Michigan State's starting pitcher, Rachel Turney worked three innings before being relieved after the third inning but returned to retire the side in the seventh to earn her first save of the season.
Western Michigan travels to Illinois-Chicago for a doubleheader on April 12 before returning to its MAC schedule on April 14-15 with two games at Northern Illinois.
