For the first time in years, the MSU baseball team is in the crosshairs - everyone is aiming for it. Typically known for having solid nonconference seasons but struggling in the Big Ten, MSU (17-12 overall, 6-2 Big Ten) is having a surprising season - one that mirrors this year's Detroit Tigers.
A typical practice day starts around 3 p.m. as about 50 women pile into vans for the drive to Lansing's Grand River.
There's no way for me to express my anger and disgust for Music City USA. It's not the city I dislike so much, in fact, quite the contrary - the city and its nightlife are great.
Thornhill, a name synonymous with MSU football. Throughout the program's history, three Thornhills - all related - have worn the Green and White at the linebacker position.
Jessica Beech pitched her third no-hitter of the season and senior Nat Furrow hit two home runs as MSU swept Oakland on Wednesday at Old College Field by scores of 7-1 and 8-0, respectively. Beech is now alone atop the Big Ten in wins, with 18. "I was thrilled with the effort, because a lesser team would've had a letdown today," MSU head coach Jacquie Joseph said.
The MSU men's track and field team heads west to compete in two events this week. The Spartans will compete in the 46th Annual Mt.
The MSU softball team hosts an Oakland squad that has less than half the wins the Spartans have.
Jay Alexander was so excited that his team was playing the Spartans at Oldsmobile Park this season, he thought it was a mistake. The Wayne State manager, whose team is a traditional nonconference opponent for the Spartans (16-12 overall, 6-2 Big Ten), did a double-take when he looked at the Warriors' 2004 schedule when it came out. "I wanted to make sure it was correct before I called (MSU's) coach - I didn't want him to change his mind," Alexander said.
The MSU men's golf team took 16th at the Boilermaker Invitational on Sunday at Kampen Course in West Lafayette, Ind. Led by junior Andrew Ruthkoski, who fired a 226 (78-72-76), the Spartans shot a combined three-round score of 915 (307-298-310). Ruthkoski tied for 49th while freshman Matt Harmon was next in line at 56th with a 228 (74-76-78). Seniors Casey Lubahn and Ben Fox tied for 69th and 77th respectively, and freshman Mitch Pierce tied for 80th. Tournament-host Purdue won the event, shooting an 855 (285-277-293), followed by Colorado at 857 (288-284-285). MSU will continue competition at the Kepler Invitational on April 17-18 in Columbus, Ohio.
MSU's No. 10 women's crew team swept its opponents on Saturday, capturing all races in the Indiana Crew Classic. The event featured host Indiana as well as No.
A friendly softball rivalry that has survived almost 10 years and more than 2,200 miles is still alive and well. On Sunday, MSU third base Brittney Green faced two longtime rivals, catcher/first base Meghann Reiss and utility player Kaitlin Reiss of Wisconsin.
The red-hot MSU baseball team's (16-12 overall, 6-2 Big Ten) winning streak was extinguished at 12 games after losing their final two contests in a weekend series with Illinois (10-16, 3-5). MSU head baseball coach Ted Mahan said his team is tired and that is a factor that played into the Spartans' streak being snapped this weekend.
MSU junior Keri Thompson upset Indiana's No. 38-ranked Dora Vastag, but the MSU women's tennis team failed to record any other points in a loss to the No.
The No. 55 MSU men's tennis squad suffered a 6-1 upset to No. 68 Indiana. The Spartans (14-10 overall, 1-5 Big Ten) lost each doubles match and five of six singles matches in the defeat.
With a five-run lead and an ace in the hole, MSU softball head coach Jacquie Joseph thought a doubleheader sweep of Wisconsin was a safe bet. After winning the first game, 7-5, the Spartans (21-16 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) took a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth of the second game.
Detroit is flat-out the hottest sports town in America right now. It wasn't but a few years ago that the only team Detroit sports fans had to look forward to was the Red Wings, because they were the only team that was going to win. I credit the Detroit Pistons and general manager Joe Dumars with starting the winning attitude the Tigers and Lions have now adopted.
There is the Izzone, Slapshots, Corner Blitz and now a new kid on the block of the MSU cheering sections - Kobs Korner. Kobs Korner is the beloved student section of the MSU baseball team (14-10). An MSU baseball team that is 10-0 at home this season, courtesy of a little help from the Korner. "It's been fantastic," MSU head coach Ted Mahan said.
Experience, depth and competition are the main ingredients of the MSU football team's situation at the wide receiver position this spring.
The Spartans couldn't have asked for a better way to finish their nonconference schedule and begin the Big Ten season: 10 games, 10 wins. MSU (14-10 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) knows, however, that each of those games and victories came with the comfort of playing at Kobs Field.
After spending the majority of the season on the road, including the past six games, the MSU softball team is back in the comforts of its own dugout to open up the Big Ten season at home. The Spartans (19-14, 1-3 Big Ten) hope to put their recent woes behind them - 1-4 in the past five - as Minnesota (22-11, 3-1) and Wisconsin (21-17, 1-3) come to East Lansing.