During his high school years, Busch was a two-time All-Conference and All-Area award winner and was named the number one first baseman in the state. One night, while hanging out with friends, head coach Jake Boss Jr. called to offer him a spot at MSU.

"It was pretty surreal, God answered all my prayers," Busch said. "I called my parents, and it was a special moment. This was always the school and program I wanted to attend and be a part of."

Last season, Busch suffered a "freak" accident, in his own words, when he pulled his hamstring in the first Big Ten series of the season against Maryland. The first baseman was out for nearly a month and took a small step back at the plate. In 2024, Busch batted .201 compared to .251 a year prior. 

This winter, Busch and junior infielder Jacob Alexander were named team captains. Busch called it a huge honor to be named captain, especially as a local player. For the 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior, his goals for the season are pretty simple. 

"I just want to be a leader, be more vocal and be a guy that younger guys can look up to," Busch said. 

Boss said Busch has earned the respect of both teammates and coaches, adding that a player-led team is often stronger than a coach-led one. He said he leads his team like few others can. 

"I don't have any say in (the captain vote), I think that's pretty important," Boss said. "He's been through a lot of adversity in a lot of different areas of his entire career; he's come through it as well as anybody could. I think it's a cool moment for him and it's well deserved."

Busch provides plenty of power at the plate. Finishing second on the team in home runs in 2024 with 10, Busch has been someone for the Spartans who can deliver in a big moment. Throughout his career, he’s slugged .412, boasted a .346 on-base percentage and only has seven career errors.  

MSU has a strong history of first basemen before Busch took over the position. Prior to his breakout season a year ago, Busch played under the Spartans’ Brock Vradenburg at first base. Vradenburg posted a .400 clip at the plate in 2022 while registering just six errors in 45 games. Busch said the experience of playing under various players helped him become the player and leader he is today. 

"Playing under him taught me a lot," Busch said. "It was a lot of years in the making. If you had told me when I arrived that I’d be playing first base, I wouldn’t have believed you. I struggled a whole lot early on."

Now in his fifth year at MSU, Busch redshirted as a freshman before carving out a role as a first baseman and designated hitter. More than wins or big hits, Busch said he wants "to take it all in" and enjoy his final season with the team.

"It goes by pretty fast. Once we get going, once we start traveling, it really goes fast," Busch said. "I want to take it all in, have fun with the guys on the bus rides, in the locker room and enjoy all the small things."

MSU opens its season in Cary, North Carolina, on Feb. 14. The Spartans are scheduled to play four games this weekend. The side will face Western Michigan on Friday, play a doubleheader against Monmouth on Saturday and take on Dayton on Sunday. MSU’s home opener is a non-conference matchup against Michigan on March 12.