Ann Arbor — Michigan State softball coach Jacquie Joseph said her team needed a signature win to push the program onto the national stage.
The seventh-seeded Spartans got that Friday afternoon, rallying for three runs in the top of the seventh to upset No. 2 seed Michigan, 5-4, in a Big Ten quarterfinal game at Alumni Field. Michigan is hosting the Big Ten tournament.
Michigan State will play in the semifinals against Ohio State at 3:30 p.m. Saturday with a chance to advance to the championship game at 6 p.m.
Michigan has long dominated the Spartans, who last beat the Wolverines, 2-1, on May 9, 2009.