“That’s nothing,” said Taylor, who graduated from MSU in 2006 with a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. “We’ll sit through football games or baseball games in the snow. It doesn’t matter to us.”

Taylor and Chapman, both from Port Huron, Mich., have been longtime baseball fans, but not necessarily MSU baseball fans. However, when the two found out about Wednesday’s game at Comerica, the frequent Comerica-goers for Detroit Tigers games decided to come see their alma mater.

“We’re big Tigers fans; we actually have tickets to multiple games,” said Chapman, a 2008 political science alumnus. “Being able to see (MSU) in the stadium that we usually come to see the Tigers — that’s really cool.”

Wednesday’s matchup between MSU and Central Michigan was the first college baseball game in the 11-year history of Comerica Park. Also, with the Spartans winning, 3-1, the game marked the fifth victory by an MSU team in Greater Detroit during this academic year.

In September 2010, the Spartan football team defeated Florida Atlantic at Ford Field, followed by a victory for the men’s basketball team against Oakland at the Palace of Auburn Hills and eventually two wins by the ice hockey team at Joe Louis Arena.

Along with having a chance to see the Spartans play in a big-league park, Chapman, who said he was excited to be able to buy a beer at an MSU sporting event, added that the historical aspect of the Spartans’ 3-1 win Wednesday also made it special.

“It’s a neat experience, the first college game at Comerica,” Chapman said.

“I’ve started following college baseball a little more, and now we get to see MSU on top of the Big Ten and doing stuff like this.”

For other MSU fans in attendance, Wednesday was an opportunity to watch a Spartan baseball team they often do not have the chance to see. Livonia, Mich., resident Dave Gutowski, who attended graduate school at MSU from 1985-86, said he only has seen the Spartans play on TV or at Cooley Law School Stadium for the annual Crosstown Showdown.

“It’s a little different seeing them play here,” Gutowski said. “I’ve never actually had a chance to see them on campus, so it’s kind of cool.”

Gutowski said he has not been a big college baseball fan in the past, but MSU’s recent success on the field gave him and his wife Betsy extra incentive to deal with the cold and support the Spartans.
“Well, I wish it was warmer,” Gutowski said with a smile.

“But it’s nice to be able to see these guys play, and I’m sure it’s a special moment for them.”

After the game, MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. and his players confirmed what Gutowski suspected, saying Wednesday’s game was a surreal opportunity. And Boss was appreciative of Gutowski and all of the other Spartans who braved the conditions to come cheer on MSU.