No. 6 Oregon tramples MSU baseball 13-5 with offensive barrage

Less than 24 hours after Michigan State University baseball's upset win, Oregon unleashed an 18-hit barrage to cruise past the Spartans, 13-5.

It was a sharp reversal from Friday’s three-hit effort, as eight Ducks recorded multiple hits and MSU’s pitching staff struggled to respond.

Oregon, ranked sixth nationally, scored in all but two innings, showcasing the offense that leads the Big Ten in home runs (83) and ranks second in OPS (.936).

“I don't know that it was everything they did or didn't do today,” MSU baseball head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. “It’s more about us executing or not executing in certain spots of the game. If you don't execute, you can’t take advantage.”

With the loss, MSU falls to 10-13 in Big Ten play, tied with Nebraska for the final tournament spot. The Spartans have made just two postseason appearances since 2016.

Sophomore right-hander Tate Farquhar started for MSU but lasted just three innings. Oregon struck early, loading the bases after a walk and double before plating four runs on three RBI singles and a sacrifice fly.

The Spartans are now 1-5 in Big Ten games when allowing two or more runs in the first inning.

Farquhar finished with seven hits, six runs (five earned), two walks, and three strikeouts.

Five Spartan pitchers took the mound, but none lasted longer than three innings. Collectively, the staff surrendered four walks, six extra-base hits, and four home runs while striking out six.

“We missed a lot of spots,” Boss said. “When you make mistakes, especially out over the plate, they're going to get hit at this level, and that's exactly what happened. They are a good hitting ball club over there, and they took advantage of it.”

After putting up four in the first, MSU responded with a pair of runs in the second. Left fielder Nick Williams found a single to right field and JT Sokolove walked, putting two runners on. With two outs, senior catcher Noah Bright mashed his pitch off the wall in left center for a triple, scoring both runners.

The Spartans tied it 4-4 in the third, briefly putting another upset within reach. Ryan McKay doubled, Randy Seymour reached on an error, and after an RBI groundout and a Sam Busch single, MSU pulled even—but the bats cooled from there.

Ultimately, MSU’s pitching woes sealed the loss. Boss said the opponent doesn’t matter if you don’t execute on the mound.

“If you miss a spot, you're gonna pay for it, and that's what we did today,” Boss said. “I think Joseph (Dzierwa) showed it last night. If you make good pitches, I don't care who you're pitching to. If you make good pitches and you put the ball where you want to put it, you're gonna have some success.”

NEWS