Following a season in which five single-season offensive records were destroyed, the MSU baseball team will have to find new ways to win if it hopes to build on the success it had in 2002. The Spartans established new highs in hits (685), doubles (126), runs (500), RBI (456) and home runs (95) in 2002.
A pair of MSU baseball players have garnered preseason honors. Senior catcher Brady Burrill along with sophomore pitcher Tim Day became the Spartans first preseason All-Americans since Mark Mulder in 1998. Burrill was named a third-team All-American by Louisville Slugger, as selected by Collegiate Baseball newspaper, while Day earned third-team honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Although Burrill appeared in just 28 of the Spartans' 57 games last season, he still led the team with a .414 batting average.
The San Francisco Giants and the Anaheim Angels aren’t the only teams playing baseball this deep into October.The MSU baseball team took the field Wednesday afternoon for the last time this year in the final game of the three game Green/Gray World Series.In the contest, the Gray team came out victorious with some last inning heroics.
Weather in the mid-40s and continuous wind gusts didn’t keep the MSU baseball team off the diamond Sunday afternoon.The Spartans were divided into two teams, creating the Green/Gray World Series.
Lansing - The Lansing Lugnuts continued their domination of the Clinton LumberKings on Sunday with a 4-3 victory at Oldsmobile Park, 505 E.
Not since 1978 has a Spartan baseball player earned first-team All-American honors. Thanks to Bob Malek, that streak has been obliterated.
The Lansing Lugnuts’ pitching staff ranks near the top of the Midwest League, even with the loss of four quality pitchers.Angel Guzman, Mark Carter, Adam Wynegar, and Eric Brown have taken their collective 14-5 record to the Single A Daytona Cubs, but the Lugnuts (3-2 second half, 40-34 overall) still hold a 3.20 ERA this season - third best in the Midwest League.The task of making up for those lost pitchers goes to pitching coach Mike Anderson, in his second year with the Lugnuts.It might seem losing pitchers of that caliber would be an enormous burden on the team, but Anderson said it’s just a part of the minor league system.“That’s what it’s all about,” Anderson said.
Lansing - The 2002 Midwest League All-Star Game attracted everybody and their mother to Oldsmobile Park Tuesday night. The annual event, which showcased 63 of the top prospects in the league this year, was much more than a game. As attendants entered they were given inflatable plastic noisemakers to create an enthusiastic environment and the recipients wasted little time putting them to use. Prior to the summer classic, fans swarmed the All Stars to capture their autographs on baseballs, baseball caps and programs. Many people attended to take in the game, but just as many were at the park to take in at least one of the side attractions. Lansing native Shawn Gilmore, who tries to take in at least five Lugnuts’ games a season, was one of the many individuals taking part in pregame festivities. Although he didn’t know any of the players from the Kane County Cougars or Beloit Snappers, he was more than eager to get their signatures.
Three MSU baseball players were drafted in Major League Baseball’s 2002 First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday. Junior right fielder Bob Malek headlined the list as the first Spartan selected. He was drafted in the 4th round by the New York Mets.
By Kristofer Karol The State News Most teams revel in being able to play at home.
Lansing - Despite giving up a first-inning home run Saturday night, the Lansing Lugnuts surged to a 3-1 win against South Bend.Lugnuts right-hander Angel Guzman (5-2) gave up the solo shot to Silver Hawks second baseman Scott Hairston early, but only allowed two more hits in seven innings of work.“From the beginning of the game, I tried to put the ball down,” Guzman said.
The last home game of the season ended in disappointment for the MSU baseball team.The Spartans (32-17 overall, 12-12 Big Ten) lost 7-6 to the Bowling Green Falcons (27-20) on Wednesday at Kobs Field.MSU entered the sixth inning up 6-2, then proceeded to give up back-to-back home runs to tie the game.
The MSU baseball team’s biggest challenge this weekend at Oldsmobile park was Mother Nature.The Spartans (31-16 overall, 12-12 Big Ten) managed to play just two of the four-game series with Ohio State (30-16-1, 16-9) as the rain kept both teams off the field.MSU won 12-5 Friday, then lost 6-4 Saturday.
Opposing catchers may joke about his size when he steps up to the plate, but the jokes stop once he swings the bat.Despite his 5-foot-9, 155-pound frame, Spartan second baseman Charlie Braun has become a dynamic player, helping MSU (27-9 overall, 9-6 Big Ten) stay among the Big Ten’s elite.“He’s being the player that is a thorn in the other team’s side,” Spartan hitting coach Cory Mee said.
Lansing - Playing under the lights at Oldsmobile Park for the first time this season, the MSU baseball team defeated Central Michigan 14-4 on Wednesday night. The Spartans (27-9 overall, 9-6 Big Ten) used a five-run first inning to jump ahead early.
The MSU baseball team will have revenge on the mind tonight at Oldsmobile Park.The Spartans (26-9 overall, 9-6 Big Ten) will travel to Lansing for the first time this season to host Central Michigan, which defeated MSU both times the two teams faced off last season.
As the MSU baseball team enters the second half of the Big Ten season, one of its most productive weapons is battling an injury.Junior catcher Brady Burrill, who leads the Spartans with a .444 batting average, took a foul ball off his left hand in Friday’s 11-0 win against Michigan.Burrill was forced to watch the remaining three games of the series from the bench, with his catching hand wrapped in ice.“We’re definitely better with Brady catching, from a leadership and experience standpoint,” Spartan manager Ted Mahan said.
With a little help from the Wolverines, the MSU baseball team staged a ninth-inning rally Sunday and won 5-3 at Ray Fisher Stadium.The Spartans (26-9 overall, 9-6 Big Ten) entered the final inning down 3-0.
For the first time in years, the four-game baseball series between MSU and Michigan has some meaning.MSU (23-8 overall, 6-5 Big Ten) and U-M (11-19, 6-6) are currently in fifth and sixth place, respectively in the conference.
Patience has been a huge virtue for center fielder Chris McCuiston this season.In this, his senior season, McCuiston has finally settled down in the batters box and become a serious hitting machine.