Baseball Heads To Iowa For Four-Game Set
4/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 25, 2002
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LEADING OFF: The Spartans took three of four games from their intrastate rivals, Michigan last weekend, propelling them into second place in the Big Ten. Earlier this week, State defeated Central Michigan, 14-4, in their first of five games at Oldsmobile Park this season.
MOVING UP: The Spartans currently stand in second place in the Big Ten conference with a 9-6 conference record and a 27-9 overall mark. They post the highest overall winning percentage of any team, have the second most wins overall and have the fewest losses.
GALE HONORED: Sophomore Bryan Gale garnered Co-Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors, Monday (4/22), after pitching his first-career complete game shutout in MSU's 11-0 win over Michigan (4/19). Gale scattered six hits and struck out six to earn his fifth win of the sesason. He is the first Spartan this season to earn the award.
GREEN MACHINE KEEPS ROLLING: In the most recent NCAA statistics, released Tuesday (4/22), MSU ranked fourth in the nation in team batting average at .348. MSU has led the conference in team batting average all season. It is one of two teams in the conference with over 300 runs scored and 400 hits and have led the Big Ten in batting average all season. State ranks 12th nationally in scoring. The Spartans' 290 RBI as a team put them in 10th place on the MSU single-season list.
OFFENSIVE LEADER: Continuing his offensive terror this season, Chris McCuiston finds himself tied for the lead in the Big Ten with 12 home runs. As of Tuesday, he also lead the league in RBI with 49 and total bases with 103. The senior center fielder also ranks third in the conference in slugging percentage (.715), second in hits (55), and is tied for third in doubles (12). When NCAA statistics were released Tuesday (4/22), McCuiston ranked 13th in RBI per game.
RING 'EM UP: With 74 strikeouts this season, Nick Bates leads the conference. Entering the 2002 season, Bates had 57 career strikeouts and a 4-4 record. This season, he leads the Spartan staff with an 8-1 record and a 2.72 ERA. He needs just 14 more Ks to break into the top-10 on MSU's all time career strikeout list. Nationally, Bates ranks 15th in strikeouts per game.
RED CEDAR SLUGGERS: The Spartans hit two more home runs in their 14-4 win over Central Michigan, Wednesday, bringing their season total to 65. As of Monday, MSU was 28 home runs ahead of the next closest team, Indiana. They broke the MSU single-season home run mark on April 16 in a 22-6 romp over Wayne State, with 26 games still remaining on the schedule.
