Michigan State is hosting the 2022 Big Ten softball tournament. Here's everything you need to know.
Michigan State University will host the 2022 Big Ten softball tournament this week, beginning on Wednesday, May 11 and running through Saturday, May 14. Do you have questions about everything, from tickets to parking and the schedule? We'll answer those right here.
Where will the Big Ten softball tournament be played?
All 11 games of the 2022 Big Ten softball tournament will take place at Secchia Stadium, 100 Jenison Field House, East Lansing. The field is located behind Jenison Field House off Kalamazoo Street.
What's the parking situation for the Big Ten softball tournament?
All pay-by-plate lots, which include IM West (Lot 62) and the Breslin Center (Lot 63) are free from May 9-15, according to the Michigan State University Police website.
The IM West entrance can be accessed on Red Cedar Road and the Breslin one can be entered on either Harrison Road or Shaw Lane.
Lot 67, which is next to Jenison Field House, is unavailable to the public.
Other places to park include Ramp 7 (next to 1855 Place), Ramp 4 (Kellogg Center) and Parking Lot 14 off Harrison Road.
Lot 126, which is next to Lot 63 to the east, is not pay-by-plate.
PARKING: Interactive map of MSU's campus
How much are the tickets?
An all-session ticket for all four days of the tournament is $20. For senior citizens and students, it's $12.
Daily, it's $5 for the general public and $3 for youths and seniors.
When does the Big Ten softball tournament begin?
The first game begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday, with No. 7 seed Penn State taking on No. 10 Indiana. The remainder of Wednesday's schedule:
1:30 p.m.: No. 6 Ohio State vs. No. 11 Purdue
4:30 p.m.: No. 8 Wisconsin vs. No. 9 Minnesota
7 p.m.: No. 5 Maryland vs. No. 12 Michigan State
The quarterfinals take place Thursday, with the semifinals at 2 p.m.and 5 p.m. Friday and the championship game at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Northwestern is the No. 1 seed and is ranked seventh nationally by Softball America. The Wildcats are followed by Nebraska (No. 2), Ohio State (No. 3) and Michigan (No. 4).
How can I watch the Big Ten softball tournament?
All games will air on the Big Ten Network. They can also be streamed via the FOX Sports app.
Is Michigan State in the Big Ten tournament?
Yes. But barely.
Despite being the hosts, the Spartans were in danger of not making the tournament depending on how results went in last weekend's series vs. Rutgers. But the three-game set was canceled due to health and safety protocols, which helped MSU hang on to the 12th and final spot in the tournament.
The Spartans went 24-27 overall this year and 4-16 in the Big Ten.
Top pitcher: Ashley Miller threw third perfect game in MSU softball history. And she's just getting started.
Could Michigan State and Michigan play each other?
You betcha. If the Spartans upset Maryland on Wednesday, they'd play the No. 4-seed Wolverines in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Thursday. The two teams played twice this year, with U-M winning both games: 6-1 on April 6 and 3-0 on April 19.
Looking for something to do in Lansing?
If you're not spending all day at the softball field, Lansing has plenty to offer:
1. You can always walk the Lansing River Trail, which runs from Old Town to South Lansing, head to Lake Lansing, go hiking at The Ledges in Grand Ledge or go shopping in Frandor.
2. You can also take a free tour of the Capital, go to the Potter Park Zoo, visit Old Town and REO Town, stroll through the R.E. Olds Museum, take in a Lansing Lugnuts game (they play home games every day from Tuesday-Sunday) or kayak on the Grand River, for starters.
3. Take in some unique gems, including Boji Tower, Crego Park, the Shigematsu Memorial Garden on the Lansing Community College campus, the Broad Art Museum on the MSU campus, the Impression 5 Science Center and plenty of others.
WELCOME TO LANSING: Things you ought to know to consider yourself a true Lansingite
Contact digital sports reporter Phil Friend at 517-377-1220 or pfriend@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Phil_Friend.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Big Ten Softball Tournament 2022: What to know as Michigan State hosts
