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.
Lansing - With a 6-4 loss to Ohio State on Saturday, the MSU baseball team was mathematically eliminated from the regular-season Big Ten title. The Buckeyes (30-16 overall, 16-9 Big Ten) evened the four-game series at one apiece after a three-hour rain delay at Oldsmobile Park.
Lansing - Hosting the Ohio State Buckeyes, the MSU baseball team shined Friday night under the lights at Oldsmobile Park. The 12-5 win keeps the Spartans (31-15 overall, 12-11 Big Ten) in a tie with Indiana (30-15, 12-11) for third place in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers defeated Purdue (21-26, 11-14) Friday night in West Lafayette,15-5 . Ohio State (29-16, 15-9) ranks second in the conference, but MSU showed no fear to start the four-game series. Back-to-back home runs from junior right fielder Bob Malek and senior center fielder Chris McCuiston led to a five-run second inning, and a 6-1 lead. With two outs and two on, Malek had no doubt his blast was headed over the wall in right field.
The MSU baseball team split a Saturday doubleheader against Illinois at Kobs Field. The Spartans (29-13 overall, 11-10 Big Ten) won game one 3-2, then fell to the Fighting Illini (26-13, 10-11) 8-4 in game two. MSU entered the doubleheader averaging more than eight runs a ballgame, but failed to score a combined eight runs on the day. The Split came after Illinois took Friday’s series opener 3-2. “We haven’t been getting the run support we usually do lately,” senior pitcher Nick Bates said.
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.
The MSU baseball team broke an 18-year-old record Tuesday with five home runs in its 22-6 beating of Wayne State.The Spartans (23-8 overall, 6-5 Big Ten) entered the nonconference game with 57 home runs, two shy of the 1984 record of 59.
After splitting a series with Indiana during the weekend, the MSU baseball team is turning its attention to Wayne State today. The Spartans (22-8 overall, 6-5 Big Ten) host the Warriors (11-13, 7-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference) at 3 p.m.
The MSU baseball team dropped both ends of a home-field double-header to conference-leading Indiana on Saturday. The Spartans (21-8 overall, 5-5 Big Ten) dropped their first game 1-0 at Kobs Field and the lost the second 8-4.
The Spartans are looking to extend their three-game winning streak this weekend when they host conference leader Indiana.MSU (20-6 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) kicks off a four-game series against the Hoosiers (24-6, 6-2) at 3 p.m.
Not even a 7-foot fireballer could cool down the Spartan bats Wednesday night at Kobs Field.When southpaw Nathan Barden took the mound against the MSU baseball team (20-6 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) he couldn’t have imagined the Spartans would outscore his Grand Valley team 20-2.But Barden lasted just three innings for the Lakers (14-7, 6-2 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), surrendering six runs and eight hits.Six different Spartans hit home runs as the team launched a season-high seven over the fence.
With a renewed sense of confidence, senior Nick Bates has gone from a relatively unknown to the MSU baseball team’s Ace. After going 4-4 in 2001, Bates is a perfect 7-0 to start the 2002 campaign.
The freshly cut green grass glistens. The smell of fresh lumber fills the air. The contact sound of bats hitting balls booms.
Despite rain canceling its Sunday contest, the MSU baseball team left Northwestern on a high note after winning two of three against the Wildcats.The Spartans (19-6 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) dropped Friday’s contest 6-3, but rallied on Saturday to take both games of the doubleheader, 3-1 and 9-1.