Lansing - Playing under the lights at Oldsmobile Park for the first time this season, the MSU baseball team defeated Central Michigan 14-4 on Wednesday night.
The Spartans (27-9 overall, 9-6 Big Ten) used a five-run first inning to jump ahead early. The Chippewas (18-16, 7-5 Mid-American Conference) failed to regain the lead after going ahead 2-0 in the top of the first.
Sophomore third baseman James Moreno was the star on the night, finishing 3-for-5 at the plate with seven RBIs.
I went out there and was just hacking, Moreno said. Ive been struggling a little all year, but since that Michigan series, Ive been swinging the bat real well.
They have a lot of respect for (senior center fielder Chris McCuiston) after loading the bases twice with one out, Moreno said of McCuistons two intentional walks. I think that helped me be more aggressive.
As usual, MSUs offense was potent, tallying 18 hits on the evening. Six went for extra bases.
As a team, weve continued to swing the bats very well, Moreno said. Today just shows how well we have been swinging the bat - and thats pretty good.
Two more homers put MSUs record-setting season total to 64.
Freshman designated hitter Travis Gulick answered the Chippewas quick start by launching a 400-foot two-run bomb in the bottom of the first to gain the lead. The blast helped the Spartans take a 5-2 lead.
It was just up there, up in the count 0-2, and I was getting ready to swing because I dont want to strike out in that situation, Gulick said. It was a fastball, inner half, and I just got out in front of it and drove the ball. It was a big home run for us and it really gave the team a boast.
The team morale went up a little then. After the first inning, we all knew we could hit the ball off of their pitcher because were a really good hitting team.
The Chippewas added two runs in the top of the third to pull within one run, but MSU would allow no more.
Senior right-hander Jon Huizinga (1-0) picked up the win. Huizinga allowed all four Chippewa runs, going three innings and striking out four batters.
I didnt get ahead in the first inning, and after that I got frustrated, Huizinga said. Then I talked myself into throwing strikes.
I felt good today, my mechanics were a little off but its something I dealt with. After we scored five runs in the bottom of the inning, I got a lot of confidence, but I knew we were going to put runs on the board.
Chippewa right-hander Ryan Cremeans (1-1) picked up the loss after yielding seven earned runs in four innings of work.
After Centrals third-inning rally, the Spartans reeled off nine unanswered runs to put the game out of reach.
It was good for us to start swinging the bats well heading into a big series with Iowa, Gulick said. We got our bats alive and I think this prepared us for Iowa. If we continue to hit like we have been hitting, I think well be all right.
The Spartans begin a four-game series with the Hawkeyes on Friday in Iowa City, Iowa.