April 9, 1999
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue softball team (20-16, 1-4 Big Ten) is going to face another streaking team from Michigan this weekend. After falling to No. 6 Michigan in two tightly played games Wednesday, the Boilermakers travel to Michigan State (26-11, 2-0) for a three-game series beginning Saturday at 1 p.m. The Spartans, ranked 26th in the latest USA Today poll, have won 10 in a row and 15 of their last 16.
Although the Boilermakers have lost four of five Big Ten games, their losses are by a combined seven runs including two extra-inning defeats. As a team, Purdue is hitting .287 with six players over .300. Sam Mercier is doing the most damage with a team-best batting average of .347 (.400 in conference play). Next on the list is Katie Crabtree at .330, including a team-high 19 stolen bases. Purdue has the third-most steals in the Big Ten with 73 in 83 attempts. Close behind Crabtree are Mandy Smart and Skeeter Nixon with 17 and 14 stolen bases, respectively.
Michigan State will primarily rely on its solid pitching. Erica Strutz leads the Spartans with an 18-7 record and 1.73 ERA. Becky Gray is also tough on the mound with a 7-2 mark and a 1.95 ERA. Hitting-wise, the Spartans are batting .273 on the year, led by Shealee Dunavan at .419. Two other players for MSU are above the .300 mark in Carrie Carpenter (.341) and Molly Hugan (.320). Hot on the basepaths is Tiffany Yager with 16 stolen bases and Carpenter with nine.
The Boilermakers and Spartans have already met once this year at the Speedline Invitational in Tampa, Fla. Purdue beat Michigan State 6-1. Nicole Crouse held MSU to one earned run on six hits in the complete-game victory. Niki Stemberger was the loser allowing two runs on four hits in one inning. Strutz also struggled, giving up three runs on four hits in one inning of relief.
Saturday's games will be televised on tape-delay in the Lansing area. MediaOneCable will show both games of the doubleheader on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST on cable channel 17.