Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Purdue
Baseball Swept By Purdue In Doubleheader
3/31/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 31, 2001
Lansing, Mich. - The Michigan State baseball team was swept by Purdue in a doubleheader Saturday (March 31) at Olds Park. In the first game, the Spartans battled back from a three-run deficit but could not hold the lead as Purdue won in 5-4 in extra innings. Purdue took the second game by shutting out the Spartans, 4-0. It was the first time this season the Spartans failed to sweep a doubleheader.
Game one began as a pitchers' dual with a total of three hits and nine strikeouts through the first three innings. The Boilermakers got on the scoreboard first, taking a three-run lead on a John Gusich three-RBI double to centerfield. The Spartans responded in the bottom of the fourth, scoring two runs. After Bob Malek (So., Canton) and Rick Court (Sr., Grosse Pointe) reached on hits, starting pitcher Kyle Geswein (Jr., Dayton, Ohio) plated them both on a double to left center.
Geswein continued his brilliant day at the plate by hitting a triple to left field in the bottom of the sixth. David Miller (Fr., Whitehall) then hit a deep fly to center field over the fielder's head resulting in a triple, scoring Kevin Crews (Jr., Hinckley, Ohio), who pinch-ran for Geswein. Miller then scored the go-ahead run when Scott Koerber (Fr., Grosse Pointe) singled to left.
Michigan State was unable to hold the lead however, as Purdue tied the game at four in the bottom of the seventh inning to send the game into extra innings. In the extra frame, the Boilermakers scored what would become the game-winning run on an RBI single.
Geswein retired eight of the first 10 batters faced and struck out a career-high eight batters in the no-decision. Domanick Squires (Jr., Rochester Hills) entered the game for MSU in the seventh inning and gave up the final two Purdue runs and took his first loss of the year. Matt Skripsky picked up the win for Purdue.
In the second game of the twinbill, Purdue jumped out front early again, scoring three runs in the top of the third inning. The Spartans threatened in the third inning, putting two of the first three batters on base. The last two hitters flied out, however, to end the inning without scoring. The Boilermakers extended their lead to 4-0 in the fourth on an RBI single by Daniel Underwood.
MSU struggled to generate offense in the second game, getting just four hits. Purdue starting pitcher Dave Gassner pitched a complete game, striking out nine batters and the last 12 batters he faced in order. Nick Bates (Jr., Blissfield) took the loss for the Spartans.
The Spartans and Boilers will complete the four-game series tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Olds Park.
Game 1Purdue 5, Michigan State 4WP- Skripsky (1-1)LP- Squires (0-1)Score By Innings R H EPurdue 000 300 11 5 9 0Michigan State 000 202 00 4 10 0
Game 2Purdue 4, Michigan State 0WP- Gassner (2-3)LP- Bates (2-2)Score By Innings R H EPurdue 003 100 0 4 9 0Michigan State 000 000 0 0 4 0
