MSU (33-18 overall, 10-12 Big Ten) came into the game one position behind Northwestern(23-29, 12-10) in the very congested Big Ten standings, and likely needs at least one win to be one of the top six teams in the conference and make the Big Ten Tournament.

The Spartans threatened to score early as freshman second baseman Ryan Jones singled in the first at-bat of the game, followed by a single for freshman third baseman Torsten Boss. However, with one out and runners on the corners, junior first baseman Jeff Holm grounded into a double play, ending the inning and MSU’s scoring chance.

In the second inning, the Spartans again advanced a runner to third only to have senior outfielder Bo Felt hit into the second consecutive inning-ending double play for MSU.

After two-and-half innings of scoreless baseball, Northwestern put the first run on the board. Outfielder Geoff Rowan hit the first of three straight base hits for the Wildcats, with the final single eventually scoring Rowan.

Down 1-0 in the fourth, the Spartans evened the score on a solo home run by senior designated hitter Chris Roberts.

Northwestern wasted no time to reclaim the lead, as designated hitter Colby Everett’s sacrifice fly scored third baseman Chris Lashmet in the bottom of the fourth.

For the third time in the game, MSU advanced a runner to third base in the ninth inning. But, also for the third time, the Spartans were unable to score with the runner just 90 feet from home plate.

Junior pitcher A.J. Achter recorded the loss for MSU, in spite of giving up just two runs on seven hits in eight innings.

Offensively, Roberts had two hits and the only RBI for the Spartans.

The Wildcats play host to MSU again at 4:00 p.m. Friday.