Michigan State University
Penn St
MSU Baseball Completes Sweep Of Penn State, 16-3
5/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 19, 2002
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - The Michigan State baseball team continued its domination of Penn State, sweeping the four-game series after a convincing 16-3 win Sunday at Beaver Field in the regular-season finale. The victory, which improved MSU's record to 36-17 and 16-12 in the Big Ten, clinched a third-place finish in the conference for the Spartans and capped a week in which MSU outscored Penn State 62-10.
Chris McCuiston (Sr., Birmingham) drove in four runs with a home run and a double for MSU, and in the process, broke the MSU single-season record for runs batted in. McCuiston, who had 10 RBIs in the four games against Penn State (23-30, 11-19), now has 67 for the season. McCuiston was one of five Spartans to collect two hits, as MSU ended the game with 17.
Michigan State scratched out a run in the top of the first on an error, a walk, a bunt single by Bob Malek (Jr., Canton), and a wild pitch.
In the second inning, Charlie Braun (Jr., Grosse Pointe) snapped a 1-1 tie with a two-run single, and one out later, McCuiston lofted a three-run home run, his 15th, over the left field fence, making the score 6-1.
The Spartans added another five-run inning in the fourth, all after two were out. McCuiston laced a double down the left field line to score Malek, who had singled, to start the scoring. After a walk to Kyle Geswein (Sr., Dayton, Ohio), James Moreno (So., Holt) singled home McCuiston. Travis Gulick (Fr., East Lansing), who had grand slams on Friday and Saturday, blasted a three-run home run to left field, giving the Spartans an 11-2 lead.
MSU scored four more times in the seventh, and again everything happened with two outs. Braun reached base for the fourth time with a single, Brett Wattles (Jr., Rochester) walked, and after a wild pitch, both runners scored on a base hit through the left side by Jim Deliz (Fr., Clinton Twp.). Geswein followed with his 13th home run, a majestic shot over the scoreboard in right field.
Deliz closed the scoring in the top of the ninth when he launched his first career home run over the left field fence.
Pat Gill (Jr., Grandville) pitched five solid innings for MSU, earning the win to improve to 6-3. Gill gave up two runs, of which only one was earned, on five hits and one walk while striking out three. MSU used four relievers over the final four innings, who combined to give up only one run.
Michigan State finished the series with eight innings in which it scored five or more runs. The Spartans belted 14 home runs in the series, pushing their season total to 88, and collected 67 hits.
The Spartans finished the regular season with an amazing 23-4 road record.
MSU will next play at the Big Ten Tournament Wednesday, May 22, against a team to be determined later today.
Michigan State 16, Penn State 3WP- Gill (6-3)LP- Palm (2-5)Score By Innings R H EMichigan State 150 500 401 16 17 4Penn State 101 000 100 3 10 1
