Friday, March 29, 2024

Spartans, Chippewas to begin battle for state pride

April 21, 2004
Freshman pitcher Craig Brookes throws makes a pitch against Ohio State on Sunday at Kobs Field. —

Since the start of the Big Ten season, the Spartans have become accustomed to an assortment of things: a 21-game hitting streak by junior right fielder Travis Gulick, first place in the conference and a 12-game winning streak.

The Spartans felt so invincible, and who could blame them? MSU went 25 games without suffering a defeat.

How quickly the tides change. Now, the Spartans (18-15 overall, 7-5 Big Ten) are riding a three-game losing streak after losing three straight setbacks against Ohio State.

"We just have to get that winning feeling back," MSU manager Ted Mahan said. "It would be nice to feel good going into the weekend."

Gulick was quick to deny that the Spartans are bound to continue their midseason slide.

"We still have a lot of confidence," Gulick said.

It's another midweek, nonconference clash, but the Spartans admit Central Michigan (17-17) shouldn't be put in the same category as Division II schools Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne and Siena Heights - teams MSU beat by a combined score of 25-2.

"It seems that they always seem to have our number," junior catcher Erik Morris said. "Since I've played, I definitely know I have more losses to them than I do wins.

"I guarantee you, they look at their schedule at the beginning of the year and they see Michigan and Michigan State and say, 'We have to beat these teams.'"

The teams played three times last season, with Central winning two of the three contests.

In March, the Chippewas beat the Spartans, 9-2, in Jacksonville, Fla., and then were victorious in a 4-3 game played at Kobs Field in late April.

MSU won the season's third and final meeting, 10-8, in Mount Pleasant in mid-May.

"We won two games we played the year before, so they don't have our number," Mahan joked.

"It's a fun and important game, but it's a game we need to win. Mid-American schools like to beat Big Ten schools. It's certainly a good rivalry."

The Spartans will start redshirt freshman left-hander John Dwan, but Mahan said he'll likely pitch only the first couple of innings. MSU's main goal, aside from winning the game, is to prepare for the weekend, and warming up many of the bullpen's arms is part of that plan.

Sophomore right-hander Chris Toepper, freshman left-hander Spencer Hahn, freshman right-hander Clay Kovac, among others, are on the manager's list to throw from the mound. Mahan will decide who will pitch and when based on the score or the in-game situations.

"You have to win midweek games if you are a good team," Gulick said.

"They're a good school - we're definitely not taking them lightly. They are capable of beating us if we don't come prepared."

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