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MSU off to best start in school history, ranked No. 25 in national poll

March 17, 2016
<p>Blaise Salter bats during the MSU vs. Central Michigan University game on&nbsp;March 24&nbsp;at the&nbsp;McLane Baseball Stadium. Photo: Rey Del Rio/ MSU Athletic Communications</p>

Blaise Salter bats during the MSU vs. Central Michigan University game on March 24 at the McLane Baseball Stadium. Photo: Rey Del Rio/ MSU Athletic Communications

As of March 14, the MSU baseball team is ranked as the 25th best team in the nation by Baseball America’s top-25 poll. The Spartans are also ranked as No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll , ahead of No. 24 Michigan.

The Spartans defeated North Dakota State on Sunday by a score of 9-5 and finished the week a perfect 5-0 in the Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte, Fla. to improve to 13-1 on the year, the best start in school history.

MSU went 7-1 during spring break with their only blemish coming from a 2-0 loss to Southern Mississippi on March 4 in the Cox Diamond Invitational in Pensacola, Fla.

The Spartan offense this season has gotten key contributions from the entire lineup. As a team this season, the Spartans are leading the conference and rank third nationally with a .347 batting average. Their 83 strikeouts is tied for lowest in the Big Ten with Rutgers.

From the mound, MSU ranks ninth in the NCAA with a 2.16 team ERA, second in the Big Ten only to U-M who has a 1.83 team ERA. The Spartans’ starting rotation has earned 12 of the team’s 13 wins this season.

MSU will travel out to Florida for the last time this season when they head out to Tampa for a three-game series against the University of Southern Florida on Friday. First pitch against the Bulls is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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