Strong performances from junior right-handed pitcher Mick VanVossen, sophomore righty Justin Alleman and left-handed redshirt freshman Cam Vieaux powered the Spartans to a three-game sweep of Siena to improve to 17-11 overall.
VanVossen had a career-high 10 strikeouts in a complete game to help MSU win the opening game of a doubleheader on Saturday, 4-0. The junior allowed just three hits and struck out four of the last six hitters. He also did not walk a batter.
Alleman followed in the second game with a career-high seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings pitched, leading the Spartans to a 6-1 victory.
Alleman said matching VanVossen’s performance was a priority for him, as the number one pitcher set the tone for the remainder of the weekend.
"(It) puts a little bit more pressure on you seeing him pitch a complete game, so you have to be focused from the beginning,” Alleman said. “(I) saw a lot of quick ground ball outs and tried to keep it low in the zone.”
Vieaux closed the sweep Sunday, allowing five hits in 6 2/3 innings pitched to help the Spartans win 5-1.
“We really pitched it well this weekend, all weekend long,” head coach Jake Boss Jr. said.
“I think they are starting to settle in, so (I’m) very pleased with how we pitched it all weekend.”
The bullpen also performed well over the weekend.
Sophomore Anthony Misiewicz and redshirt junior Jeff Kinley relieved Vieaux for the final innings on Sunday and did not allow a hit.
Vieaux in particular impressed Boss, as the number three starting spot was wide open before the redshirt freshman proved himself in both the Minnesota and Ohio State series earlier in the season.
Vieaux improved to 4-2 on the year with Sunday’s victory.
“Cam Vieaux just keeps getting better and better the more starts that he gets under his belt,” Boss said. “His game is more suited probably for starting more than some of the other guys that I think are pretty comfortable out of the bullpen.”
