Granted, conference play hasn’t started yet. But the Spartans are off to a 12-4 start, the team’s best since the 2002 season when it posted a 14-2 record through its first 16 games.

And the Spartans are riding a high coming into this weekend’s four-game homestand against Oakland. Last weekend, MSU traveled to Notre Dame for a three-game set and swept the Fighting Irish. MSU shutout Notre Dame twice and posted a combined score of 23-4 in the three games.

“I can’t tell you that I saw this coming at the beginning of the year,” head coach Jake Boss Jr. said of his team’s strong start. “At the beginning, we really didn’t know what to expect. Our starting pitching has been a lot better than we would have hoped, especially for this early in the year. And defensively, I think we are playing better than we expected, especially for this early. We didn’t really know what to expect, but we are certainly pleased with the results right now.”

With clutch hitting and sound pitching, the Spartans are riding a six-game winning streak. And with the Big Ten season starting next weekend, MSU wants to keep the momentum rolling in this weekend’s first home series of the year.

“We are very happy with the start, but we do realize there is a long way to go,” Boss said. “We want to continue to keep some positive momentum going before the Big Ten season starts. This is a really, really big weekend for us.”

MSU will play Oakland in the team’s home-opener at 3:05 p.m. Friday at McLane Baseball Stadium. The two teams will square off for a doubleheader Saturday, with the first game beginning at 12:05 p.m., and will conclude the series at 1:05 p.m. Sunday.

Although MSU is 14-1 all-time against Oakland, the Spartans don’t want to overlook the Golden Grizzlies.

“They are an in-state team so we are going to get their best game,” said junior pitcher A.J. Achter, the reigning Big Ten Pitcher of the Week. “I’m sure they have a lot of kids who would have liked to play here. So they are going to give us their best shot.”

They’re running

The Spartans are atop the Big Ten with 40 stolen bases this season.

Junior first baseman Jeff Holm and junior center fielder Brandon Eckerle lead MSU in stolen bases and both have yet to be caught stealing. Holm is 12-for-12, which is top in the conference, and Eckerle is 11-for-11, good for second.

“Coach has been working a lot with us with base running,” Eckerle said. “It’s an important part of our game. If we can get out there and cause some havoc on the bases and mess with the pitchers, it helps the hitting.”

Said Boss: “Stealing (bases) is a big part of our philosophy. We are going to continue to stay aggressive and put pressure on teams to throw us out.”

It starts with defense

MSU’s defensive prowess this season has been a breath of fresh air for the pitching staff.

The Spartans own a .985 fielding percentage, which is first in the Big Ten and second in the nation. And the Spartans have committed a conference-low nine errors this season, which is eight less than the next closest team.

That defensive showing has the pitching staff relaxed on the mound.

“Our defense has been unreal,” Achter said. “We know if the batter is able to put the ball in play, our defense is going to make the play. It gives us a lot of confidence.”