Baseball Set To Open Conference Schedule
3/28/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 28, 2002
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TOP STORY: The 15-3 Spartans open their conference home schedule with a four-game series against Minnesota, last year's Big Ten Tournament champion. Earlier in the week, the Spartans downed Siena Heights 6-0 in their home opener. MSU's 15-3 record is its best 18-game start since 1971 when it opened 16-2. The Spartans lead the Big Ten in batting with a .373 average.
CONFERENCE LEADERS: As of Wednesday, three Spartans led the conference in batting average, hits, total bases and wins: Bob Malek, Chris McCuiston and Nick Bates, respectively. Malek currently leads the Big Ten with a .481 batting average and 37. Chris McCuiston leads in total bases with 64 and is also tied for the lead in home runs with eight. Pitcher Nick Bates leads the league in wins with a perfect 5-0 record.
McCUISTON KEEPS PACE: Senior co-captain Chris McCuiston is tied for the Big Ten lead in home runs with eight, just one shy of his career total heading into the 2002 season. The right-handed slugger now has 17 career home runs. He opened the season with a 6-for-6 performance vs. UC Santa Barbara that included three homers.
HOME AT LAST: After 17 straight road games to begin the season, State returned home for the first time to take on Siena Heights, Wednesday where it shut out the Saints by a score of 6-0. State will play 23 more home games this season, including five doubleheaders. This also included five games at Lansing's minor league stadium, Oldsmobile Park.
