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Sports | 1117

SPORTS

Pistons steal spotlight from hockey team

Move aside, Hockeytown. The Pistons have come to put an end to the parties you've thrown so nicely for the past decade in the Motor City. The red, white and blue thank the Winged Wheel for taking care of sports-crazed fans in Detroit. But no more. Since last season, April hasn't been just about pucks and sticks, it has been about an ever-growing 'fro leading a team back up into the Detroit spotlight. The two Detroit teams in the playoffs right now share one common thread - anything less than a trip to the sport's respective finals this season is unacceptable.

SOFTBALL

Spartans missing pitching in losses

Poor pitching continues to plague the MSU softball team, which dropped both games in a doubleheader against Penn State Sunday. The Spartans (24-19 overall, 4-8 Big Ten) lost, 6-1 and 11-6, to the Nittany Lions (18-25, 4-6) at Nittany Lion Field in University Park, Pa.

BASEBALL

Mid-season slide

Chris Mackinder
April 19, 2004

Against the talented Buckeyes, MSU knew its 12-game home winning streak and its standing atop the Big Ten would be in jeopardy. After winning Friday's game, 10-7, a victory that kept the Spartans in sole possession of first place in the conference, MSU dropped its next three games against Ohio State, 8-7, 19-2 and 12-10. "We gave up 46 runs this weekend and we couldn't catch the ball," MSU manager Ted Mahan said.

FOOTBALL

'Mushroom Club' unites, works below radar to build solid Spartans' foundation

There's an undeniable irony in nicknaming an offensive line - whose members all stand 6 feet 3 inches or taller and weigh at least 270 pounds - after a fungus that goes mostly unnoticed. But when one begins to understand the sacrifice and underappreciation an offensive lineman experiences, the "Mushroom Club" moniker MSU's offensive line goes by makes more sense. "We're the first ones to get blamed and the last ones to get a pat on the back," junior left tackle Stefon Wheeler said.

SOFTBALL

'U' readies for 4-game weekend

Megan Homanick
April 16, 2004

The MSU softball team is at a critical stage in its Big Ten season as it travels to Ohio State and Penn State for four games this weekend. "We're 3-5 in the Big Ten and we're going to play two teams that are right about where we're at, with Penn State being a little down in compared to Ohio State," head coach Jacquie Joseph said.

BASEBALL

Spartans to host Ohio State

Chris Mackinder
April 16, 2004

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.

SPORTS

Detroit has earned its (Red) Wings

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.

BASEBALL

Warriors manager ready for 'major league' game with 'U'

Chris Mackinder
April 13, 2004

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.

SPORTS

Junior leads 'U' golf to 16th-place finish

Scott Bartosiewicz
April 13, 2004

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.

SOFTBALL

Senior infielder reunited with longtime rivals

Evan Rondeau
April 13, 2004

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.

BASEBALL

Spartans' win streak halted at 12

Paul Day
April 12, 2004

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.

SOFTBALL

Sloppy split

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.