“You know, they had both on Friday and Saturday, and it was important to bounce back today,” head coach Jake Boss Jr. said during post-game interviews. “Right from the get-go, I think we had a lot of good at-bats, a lot of really competitive at-bats.”

Base appearances from Zaid Walker, Mitch Jebb, Bryce Kelley and many others solidified the Spartan win over the Hoosiers. 

Shining Offense

The game started off strong with two MSU runs in the bottom of the second from Zaid Walker and Mitch Jebb. Walker walked after four balls from Indiana’s pitcher Ty Bothwell, followed by an RBI from Jack Frank that brought Walker home. With a single from Jebb, a steal and an RBI from Trahey, Jebb made it back home for the Spartans’ second run. 

A walk from Indiana’s Bothwell put Kelley on base in the bottom of the third, a steal and an advancement to third on a wild pitch put Kelley in the perfect position for Iverson to bring him home. With MSU up three and nothing on the board for Indiana, the Spartans kept that momentum alive. 

In the bottom of the sixth, a double to left field from Bailey Peterson and an Indiana throwing error on Gabe Sotres led Peterson to make his way around the bases. From here, a single from Trent Farquhar led to another MSU run from Sotres. 

These five runs gave the Spartans security as Indiana only put one run on the board in the top of the seventh. 

Consistent Pitching

Time after time, Powers proved to be an important part of the team on defense. With 6.2 innings pitched and an ERA of 2.35, the freshman left-handed pitcher helped secure another green and white win today. 

“It was important for him to go deep into the game for us on a Sunday, and he did just that. He was really, really good again, he’s done a heck of a job for us so far this year,” Boss said on Powers’s role so far this season. 

Burrell Jones made his fourth appearance of the season, switching out for Nick Powers on the mound in the top of the seventh. With 2.1 innings pitched and an ERA of 1.69, the sophomore right-handed pitcher stopped the Hoosiers from gaining any more runs. 

“I thought Burrell was good today, Burrell throws a lot of strikes … I think that's a perfect spot for him,” Boss said regarding Jones on the mound today. 

Ultimately, the Spartans walked away with another win under their belt and will take on the Gophers next weekend away at Siebert Field in a three-game series.