Despite only giving up four hits, MSU was unable to overcome eight errors, which led to seven unearned runs.
Head coach Jake Boss, Jr. said MSU played its worst game since he’s been there.
“The way we played today is unacceptable. It’s as embarrassing a loss I think I’ve had here at Michigan State,” he said. “It’s not how we play baseball here at Michigan State. Good thing is we have a chance to play tomorrow, we don’t have to sit on it all week.”
The sloppy play by MSU started early. In the top of the second inning, Central Michigan scored the first two runs of the game despite only having one hit.
MSU freshman pitcher Walter Borkovich relaxed quickly, however. In the third and fourth innings, he faced only three batters, retiring them quickly.
The Chippewas started threatening MSU once again in the top of the fifth. Two errors and a wild pitch by Borkovich then allowed two more runs. Borkovich would end up with 3 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings before being taken out.
The Spartans attempted to rally against the Mid-American Conference foe in the sixth inning.
With two outs, junior right fielder Jimmy Pickens helped MSU get rolling offensively.
He hit a long drive to right field over the fence, which scored the first and only run of the game for MSU.
This led to two more hits by sophomore left fielder Cam Gibson and senior catcher Joel Fisher, although Central Michigan would get out of that situation quickly thereafter.
MSU had more trouble defensively in the top of the seventh. Three errors led to three more unearned Chippewa runs, stretching the lead to 7-1.
The Spartans left 10 men on base throughout the game, while Central Michigan left seven.
Gibson led the way offensively for MSU as he finished 3-for-3 with three singles and a walk. Fisher also chipped in with two hits for the Spartans.
Fisher said that it’s “pretty much impossible” to overcome the sloppy play that plagued MSU on Tuesday.
“I mean, what’d they score 10 runs on four hits? Yeah, I mean you can’t win ball games doing that. You can’t win ball games giving up 10 runs, let alone 10 runs on four hits,” he said.
“I may be upset about it tonight, this one. But tomorrow is a new day, every game is a new game. So just kind of forget that this ever happened and just try and roll along and bring the intensity for tomorrow.”
MSU plays again at 3:05 p.m. today against Western Michigan at McLane Baseball Stadium at Old College Field.
