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.
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.
Lansing - It was a beautiful day for baseball - just not for the Lansing Lugnuts. For the second game in a row, the Lugnuts (6-4) fell to the South Bend Silver Hawks by a single run.
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.
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.
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.
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.