Spartans upset Wolverines in Big Ten Tournament

The MSU softball team stunned No. 6 Michigan, 2-1, in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday.
Freshman Jessica Bracamonte drove in senior Caitlin Mahoney with a single in the sixth inning for the game winning RBI to give the Wolverines (48-6) an unexpected first-round exit.

Senior Leslie Noel emerged on top in a pitcher’s duel at Northwestern’s Sharon J. Drysdale Field, pitching a complete game for the Spartans (27-28). The right-handed hurler allowed one run on four hits.

Senior Nikki Nicosia and junior Kara Weigle added a pair of hits for the Spartans, who will take on the winner of Friday’s Illinois/Iowa contest.

With the victory, the Spartans avenged embarrassing back-to-back losses to the Wolverines in late April. The Spartans were trounced 10-0 and 11-3 in those games.