Mark Mulder Breaks MSU's Strikeout Record
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 10, 1998
COLUMBUS, Ohio -
Michigan State's Mark Mulder broke the school's single-season strikeout record in game one of a doubleheader against Ohio State on Sunday afternoon, however the Buckeyes' Eric Thompson stole the show, tossing a no-hitter. Thompson's effort led OSU to a 3-0 victory in game one, with the Buckeyes taking game two, 5-4, on a ninth-inning home run.
After delivering eight more whiffs in a complete-game effort, Mulder (6-6) finishes the season with 113 strikeouts, besting the former MSU mark of 107 set by Mel Behney in 1968. Mulder did not walk a single batter during the afternoon, but a three-run, two-out rally by the Buckeyes in the fifth blemished his slate.
Those three runs would be all Thompson (6-3) would need, as he tossed Ohio State's first no-hitter since April 23, 1989. The junior right-hander allowed just two walks and two balls out of the infield during the contest. With the two victories, the Buckeyes clinched a spot in the Big Ten playoffs, raising their record to 36-14, 17-9 in the Big Ten. Michigan State falls to 25-26, 8-15 in conference play.
Game two saw the Spartans rally from an early 2-0 deficit, taking a 3-2 edge in the fourth. But Ohio State used last at bat heroics to tie the score in the seventh, before winning the game with a solo home run by Mike Durant in the bottom of the ninth. Buckeye reliever Mike Stafford (5-2) provided effective relief for four innings, keeping the Spartans from further damage. MSU sophomore closer Chris Yens (1-2) blew his first save of the season before surrendering the final home run to Durant. The record falls in what may be Mulder's final pitching appearance as a Spartan, as the junior left-hander finishes with 113 strikeouts in 84.2 innings, walking just 19, nearly an incredible 6:1 K/BB ratio. In just two seasons, Mulder put his name eighth on MSU's career strikeout list with 169. Mulder is just the third MSU hurler to record 100 strikeouts in a season (Mel Behney, 107, 1968; Dick Radatz, 106, 1959).
Game two's loss spoiled a decent outing by MSU starter Gary Zsigo, who allowed just two earned runs in six innings on the hill. It also marked Zsigo's first no-decision in any start this season, as the sophomore southpaw will finish the year at 6-4. He also contributed on offense, delivering MSU's fourth run on a RBI single in the sixth, giving the Spartans a 4-3 advantage.
Mike Wagner and Joe Kalczynski each delivered two hits for Michigan State, who outhit the Buckeyes 8-7 during the contest. After spotting OSU a 2-0 lead in the third, MSU's offense responded in the top of the fourth, notching three tallies. With one down, Mike Wagner reached after getting hit by a Kurt Fullenkamp pitch. After a single by Mulder put two runners aboard, Kalczynski scored Wagner from second with a single to right. Joe Albaugh followed him with his own RBI-single to right, tying the score. Michigan State went ahead on an RBI-groundout by Mike Pisani.
The loss for Yens does not blemish his breakout season, as he has established himself as MSU's No. 1 reliever. After picking up his seventh save of the 1998 campaign, the right-hander surrendered a run on Sunday for the first time in 12 appearances, snapping a 11.2 scoreless inning streak.
Michigan State plays its final game of the season on Monday night at Ohio State's Bill Davis Stadium. Freshman John Steiger will start on the hill for the Spartans, with game time set for 6:35 p.m.
GAME ONE MICHIGAN STATE 000 000 0 - 0 0 0 OHIO STATE 000 030 - 3 8 0MSU: MULDER and Kalczynski OSU: THOMPSON and Kremblas HR: none
GAME TWO MICHIGAN STATE 000 301 000 - 4 8 3 OHIO STATE 002 010 101 - 5 7 0
MSU: Zsigo, YENS (7) and Kalczynski OSU: Fullenkamp, STAFFORD (6) and Kremblas HR: Durant, OSU