The rivalry matchup lacked excitement through the first four innings, with the only highlight coming on defense when freshman third baseman CJ Deckinga made an acrobatic diving catch on a ball headed foul. No runs were scored in the early pitching duel. Sophomore pitcher Aidan Donovan started strong, recording three strikeouts and allowing just one hit over that span.

“It’s great, he deserved better today, he threw really well,” said Boss. 

The game opened up in the fifth inning as the Wolverines scored the first run of the game following a Spartan error, which put runners at first and second with no outs to start the inning. Greg Pace Jr. hit a grounder that split Deckinga and sophomore shortstop Dayton Murphy to score the opening run. Donovan would escape the inning with minimal damage, only allowing a single run.

MSU had an instant answer, which came in the form of a Noah Bright lead-off solo home run to start the bottom of the fifth on a dinger to deep left field. The graduate student designated hitter tallied home run number 4 on the season to tie the game, and the Wolverine lead lasted one pitch.

The Spartans' offense stayed hot, and in the bottom of the sixth, they took their first and only lead of the game. Redshirt senior outfielder Nick Williams drove a grounder to left center, splitting the Wolverine second baseman and shortstop for an RBI double as sophomore outfielder Isaac Sturgess advanced home from second. 

Despite the run, there was some disappointment as MSU couldn’t capitalize on loaded bases, leaving three runners on to finish the inning. Michigan made them pay with Éva Henger hitting a lead-off home run to tie the game and both teams traded off short-lived leads.

“Offensively, it’s too much non-competitive at the plate, four hits tonight and two runs, you’re not going to bet anybody,” said Boss.

Aidan Donovan’s strong outing ended after seven innings, when he was replaced by redshirt freshman Brady Chambers. Chambers struggled from his first pitch, loading the bases with one out, which came on a sacrifice bunt. He was quickly replaced by senior Tommy Szczepanski, who was unable to get Michigan State out of the jam and allowed two runs. Defensive plays by Broski and Seymour helped end the inning.

Ultimately, this game came down to a pitching battle, where the difference would be Donovan getting pulled, which led to the disastrous two-run eighth inning. For Michigan, their pitcher Kurt Barr played the full nine innings and propelled the Wolverines to the win.

The Spartans and Wolverines will clash again for game 2 of the weekend series on Saturday, April 11, at 3 p.m. MSU looks to avoid dropping the series in two games.