May 17, 2008

Box Score

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Senior first baseman Evan Friedland hit a three-run homer and fellow seniors Dennis Jones and Justin Potes each had two hits in their final game at Michigan State Saturday at Kobs Field. Indiana defeated MSU, 14-5, to clinch a berth in the Big Ten Tournament. Michigan State finishes the 2008 season 24-29 and 12-18 in Big Ten play.

Trailing 14-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth, MSU enjoyed its biggest inning of the day. Junior Eric Roof and freshman Seth Williams each singled to start the inning, and Potes then singled home Eric Roof in what would turned out to be his final career at-bat. Friedland then lifted a three-run shot to right in his final Spartan at-bat.

Despite the late-game heroics, the day belonged to the Hoosiers (28-28, 15-17). IU needed a win to extend its season, and it wasted no time taking control of the game. Indiana scored five times in the top of the first before taking a 7-1 lead after two innings.

The Hoosiers scored one run each in the third and fourth innings to take a 9-1 lead. IU's Josh Phegley belted a solo home run to left in the sixth to extend the Hoosier lead to 10-1. Indiana then scored four more times in the eighth to extend the lead to 14-1.

Phegley finished 4-for-6 with three RBI and four runs scored. Jerrud Sabourin and Andrew Means each added three hits and Evan Crawford had three RBI.

Every player in the Spartan lineup had a hit, led by Potes' and Jones' 2-for-3 efforts. Freshman Jonathan Roof went 2-for-5.

The Spartans honored the team's 12 seniors in a ceremony before the game.