Spartans Battle Back, But Auburn’s Early Surge Proves Too Much in 9-6 Loss
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Michigan State softball showed some serious fight on opening night of the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic, but a five-run second inning from Auburn proved too steep a hill to climb. Despite multiple rallies and a flurry of standout performances, the Spartans dropped a 9-6 decision to the Tigers on Friday night, moving to 1-1 on the young season.
Let’s break it down.
A Hot Start, Then Trouble in the Second
Michigan State came out swinging. Freshman Zoie Bernard got things rolling with a leadoff triple in the bottom of the first - her first collegiate hit - and just two batters later, veteran slugger Hannah Hawley launched her second home run of the day to give the Spartans a quick 2-0 lead.
But the momentum didn’t last long.
Auburn responded in the top of the second with a five-run inning that flipped the game on its head. It started with a leadoff walk and snowballed from there - an error, a two-out infield single, and a bases-loaded walk brought in the first run. Then came the big blow: a grand slam off the bat of McKaela Walker that turned a 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 Auburn lead.
None of the five runs were earned, but they were damaging all the same.
Pitching Debuts and Defensive Grit
Carsyn Cassady got the start in the circle for MSU and was tagged with the loss. She gave up five runs - all unearned - across 2.1 innings, striking out two and walking three. After that, it was time for the freshmen to get their feet wet.
Alex Starr made her collegiate debut in relief, coming on in the third. She allowed five hits and three runs (two earned) over 1.2 innings.
Alyssa Galindo, another freshman, closed things out with a solid three-inning performance. She scattered four hits, allowed just one earned run, and struck out one, throwing 33 of her 52 pitches for strikes.
Galindo also got a little help from her defense. In the fifth, catcher Mya Caravaca caught a runner stealing to cut down a potential Auburn rally, and the defense held strong to limit further damage.
Offense Keeps Swinging
Despite the early deficit, the Spartans refused to go quietly.
MSU rallied in the bottom of the fifth. Bernard reached on an error, and after a couple of quick outs, the Spartans loaded the bases thanks to another Auburn miscue and a sharp infield single by Sophia Grillo - her first hit as a Spartan. Sydney Doloszycki stepped up and delivered a clutch two-RBI single up the middle to cut the deficit to 8-4.
In the sixth, MSU kept the pressure on. After two quick outs, Bernard and Caravaca both drew walks, forcing Auburn to go to the bullpen.
The Tigers brought in Ella Harrison, but she struggled to find the zone. Her first pitch got through the third baseman’s legs, allowing Bernard to score.
Another walk and an error brought home Caravaca, making it 8-6. The Spartans had the bases loaded again, but Auburn just barely got Doloszycki at first to end the inning.
Auburn Adds Insurance, MSU’s Rally Falls Short
Auburn added a key insurance run in the top of the seventh with back-to-back singles and a sacrifice fly to stretch the lead to 9-6. Galindo limited the damage with a strikeout to end the inning.
In the bottom half, MSU had one last shot. Hannah Greer led off with a double down the left field line, putting the tying run in the on-deck circle. But Harrison locked in, striking out the next three batters to strand Greer at third and seal the win for Auburn.
Standouts in Spartan Green
- Sydney Doloszycki: 3-for-4 with two RBI and a key two-run single in the fifth.
- Hannah Hawley: Crushed her second home run of the day, a two-run shot in the first inning.
- Zoie Bernard: Made her presence known early with a leadoff triple and scored three runs.
- Sophia Grillo: Picked up her first hit as a Spartan and reached base twice.
- Alyssa Galindo: Calm and composed in her collegiate debut, throwing three efficient innings and keeping MSU in the game.
What’s Next
The Spartans don’t have much time to dwell on the loss. They’re back in action Saturday with a doubleheader, starting at noon against Longwood, followed by a 3 p.m. matchup with Pitt. If Friday night’s grit and resilience are any indication, this team has the fight to make some noise as the season unfolds.
Opening night didn’t end in the win column, but Michigan State showed flashes of what could be a scrappy, competitive squad - one that won’t back down no matter the score.