Prosecutors: No Charges in MSU Softball Wild Pitch Allegations

From left, former Spartan softball player Alyssa McBride, assistant coach Jessica Bograkos and head coach Jacquie Joseph. (Photos via Michigan State University athletic department)

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Prosecutors in Ingham and Isabella counties said Monday they won’t pursue charges against Michigan State University coaches accused by a player of plotting to hit her with wild pitches during batting practice because she criticized the team to a reporter.

Prosecutors in Ingham County, where Michigan State University is located, said in a statement they consider the matter closed after reviewing Michigan State Police files about the allegations raised by former Spartan Alyssa McBride, The Lansing State Journal reports.

McBride, 22, Mattawan, alleged the assistant coach, Jessica Bograkos, hit her once in the arm, deeply bruising it, and once on the wrist during practices in late April and early May. She claimed the action was sanctioned by head coach head softball coach Jacquie Joseph.

Both Joseph and Bograkos have vehemently denied the allegations.

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Isabella County Prosecutor Risa Hunt-Scully said her office considers the investigation closed as well. Isabella County was involved because it’s home to Mount Pleasant, where Central Michigan University is based. McBride said that one of the pitches that hit her was thrown during batting practice before a CMU game.

Hunt-Scully said both the Michigan State Police and Michigan State campus police thoroughly investigated April 30 and May 15 complaints, and “conducted over 30 interviews, including those of MSU softball players, coaches, and coaching staff, executed several search warrants, and gathered other statistical and medical information.”

“The Isabella County Prosecuting Attorney has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to sustain the burden of proof necessary to support criminal charges,” Hunt-Scully said in a statement.

The university is conducting its own internal investigation into the allegations.