The MSU baseball team broke out its bats and showed the potential to be an exciting team in its home opener against Grand Valley State University at Kobs Field on Thursday.
The Spartans (5-10) hit four home runs on their way to a 13-8 win over Grand Valley (12-7).
"We've got a lot of big strong guys," head coach Ted Mahan said. "We can hit. We're going to have to win a lot of games like this because our pitching isn't great, but it's getting better."
After playing its first 14 games on the road - which is standard procedure for many northern college teams - MSU broke its six-game losing streak. MSU plays its next seven games at home.
Mahan said Thursday's win should build his team's confidence for the upcoming home stand.
"Our goal is to get to .500 before we have to go on the road again," he said.
Sophomore center fielder Alan Cattrysse led the Spartans' at the plate with two home runs - his first two of the season - and four RBI. Due to cramps in his left thumb, Cattrysse left the game before the fifth inning. He said he should be able to play in MSU's next game.
MSU and Grand Valley took turns claiming the lead before the Spartans broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth. MSU was down, 5-4, but a pair of home runs from Cattrysse and junior outfielder Travis Gulick (East Lansing High School) resulted in a five-run inning for the home team.
With his team trailing, Cattrysse stepped into the batter's box with two men on and two out in the bottom of the fourth.
"I went up there being aggressive and he threw a first-pitch fastball down the middle and I was aggressive and hit it pretty well," he said.
The ball jumped off Cattrysse's bat over the left field fence; it was his second home run on the day and put MSU up, 7-5.
Sophomore second baseman Oliver Wolcott followed Cattrysse's dinger with a bloop single to center. Gulick then drove Wolcott in with his third home run of the season.
Wolcott finished the day with four hits and two RBI.
"The last couple games, I was struggling a little bit, so I just made it a point to really get ready to hit and keep my hands back and be more patient at the plate," Wolcott said. "It ended up working out for me today."
Wolcott said he hopes Thursday's hitting exhibition will be a sign of things to come.
"We're starting to show signs of what people in the preseason - ourselves included - were expecting for us," he said.
MSU used six pitchers to beat the Lakers. Freshman Spencer Hahn started and gave up five earned runs in three and two-thirds innings before sophomore Chris Toepper (1-1) took over to get the win.
First baseman Tim Hudnall hit two homers and had four RBI for Grand Valley.
The Spartans play Western Illinois twice this weekend, one game each on Saturday and Sunday. Both games are at home and are scheduled for 1 p.m.
"The weather's supposed to be nice this weekend, so I think we're looking forward and are excited to play again after a day like today," Mahan said.
