Junior center fielder Brandon Eckerle gets called out at first base after rushing back from a lead-off that got the attention of Indiana’s pitcher Friday at McLane Stadium. Despite the out, MSU went on to beat Indiana 9-8.
When senior designated hitter Chris Roberts stepped to the plate for the MSU baseball team with the score tied at eight in the bottom of the ninth, the last thing he wanted on his mind was that he had a chance to win the game.
“You try not to think about it,” Roberts said. “You try not to think about the situation being as big as it kind of is, and you’re looking to just get as good of a pitch as you can and put a good swing on it.”
Fortunately for MSU, Roberts’ mental strategy worked, as his single to left field drove in freshman third baseman Torsten Boss and gave the Spartans a thrilling 9-8 win over the visiting Hoosiers at McLane Baseball Stadium at Kobs Field on Friday.
The game was the first of three this weekend for MSU against Indiana (25-22 overall, 9-10 Big Ten), which came into the weekend one game ahead of MSU (31-16, 9-10) in the Big Ten standings.
Junior pitcher A.J. Achter struggled early for the Spartans, giving up two runs in the first inning and another run in the second.
However, junior first baseman Jeff Holm gave MSU its first hit of the game in the bottom half of the second inning, sparking a three-run frame for MSU.
The Hoosiers wasted no time breaking the 3-3 tie, scoring three more runs in the third and taking a 6-3 lead after three.
After giving up six runs through three innings, Achter found his groove in the fourth, when he got himself out of a bases loaded jam and followed that up with a 1-2-3 fifth inning. He continued to pitch well through the seventh.
“A.J. got through the first three innings and then kind of settled into it,” MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. “He’s a competitor and he’s going to keep fighting.”
Although he struggled early, Acther said he was very appreciative of Boss’ decision to keep him in the game.
“It means a lot,” Achter said. “I know he has a lot of trust in me, but when we’re down in a big game, for him to have that trust in me is even bigger for my confidence so that was huge.”
Meanwhile, thanks to a two-run home run by Torsten Boss in the fifth and a solo home run for Roberts in the sixth, the MSU batters were able to capitalize on Achter’s four consecutive shutout innings and tie the game at six.
In the eighth inning, on Achter’s 122nd and final pitch of the game, Indiana third baseman Micah Johnson regained the lead for the Hoosiers on an RBI double. Later in the inning, Johnson scored to give Indiana an 8-6 lead.
Although his team had fallen behind by multiple runs for the third time in the game, the Spartans’ skipper said he had a feeling the Spartans would bounce back in the final inning.
“Our guys showed some character today,” Boss said. “The attitude in the ninth inning was, ‘It’s not over until the last out is made.‘”
Senior outfielder Bo Felt started the ninth by reaching second base on a throwing error by the Hoosiers. Following a walk and a bunt single by Boss, Felt scored on a wild pitch and junior shortstop Jonathon Roof batted in the tying run on a groundout to short. Indiana intentionally walked junior first basemen Jeff Holm with first base open, bringing Roberts to the dish.
With one out and runners on first and second, Roberts hit the single that won the game and started the celebration for him and his teammates.
“Anytime you get to the plate, you just want to do anything for the team to help the team win,” Roberts said. “To be that guy, it’s an unbelievable feeling.”
Roberts was the leader at the plate throughout the day for the Spartans with three hits, including a home run, and two RBIs.
Senior pitcher Kurtis Frymier recorded the win for MSU after relieving Achter in the eighth inning.
MSU hosts Indiana again Saturday at 12:05 p.m.
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