Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Mercer
Spartan Baseball Shines In 12-10 Comeback Thriller
3/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 10, 2004
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - MSU baseball faced Mercer for the second time in as many days, with two very different outcomes. The Spartans (4-4) rallied in the ninth inning Wednesday, scoring four runs to take a 12-10 lead and the win. When the teams faced yesterday Mercer (10-13) won, 8-4.
"I was really proud of this team with the way they battled back and came from behind," said MSU head coach Ted Mahan. "We didn't play especially well, but we'll take the win. We're at .500 heading into a tough weekend against Florida State, so this is a way to build some momentum."
Travis Gulick's (East Lansing, Mich.) three-RBI triple in the top of the ninth highlighted the contest as the junior outfielder went 2-for-6 at the plate with three RBI and both a triple and double. Freshman catcher Sean Walker (Round Lake, Ill.) went 2-for-4, driving in one and scoring another. Sophomore Alan Cattrysse (Chatham, Ontario) was 2-for-3, scoring two runs with a double and notching two RBI.
In one at-bat, senior co-captain Scott Koerber (Harper Woods, Mich.) doubled, drove in two and scored as a pinch hitter.
Despite the late scoring flurry, Mercer got on the board first, posting three runs in the fourth to jump to the lead.
Back-to-back home runs over the right field fence from sophomore Oliver Wolcott (Plymouth, Mich.) and freshman Ryan Basham (Lowell, Ind.) gave the Spartans their first runs of the game early in the fifth and senior David Miller (Whitehall, Mich.) added an unearned run in the sixth. Miller singled down the left side to give State a base runner and moved to second when Troy Krider (Coldwater, Mich.) took a base on balls. Miller stole third then scored on a passed ball by Mercer's Josh Thompson.
The home run was the first of Wolcott's career and Basham's shot marked the second of the season for the freshman outfielder.
The Bears added another run in the bottom of the fifth and, in what appeared to be the dagger for MSU, Mercer scored five times in the sixth inning, backed by a Ryan Byrd home run over the center field fence. With the bases loaded, Thompson singled to send two runs in and at the end of six Mercer led, 9-3.
But the Spartans proved tough, scoring five runs in the seventh. Mercer's right-hander Spence Glotzbach walked Basham. With an Erik Morris (Orchard Lake, Mich.) single to third and a throwing error by the third baseman while Basham scored from first on the error by Daniel Hurst. Walker singled to center field to send Morris home. Krider walked and Cattrysse singled, scoring Walker and moving Krider to third.
Koerber returned to the plate and doubled to right field to send both Krider and Cattrysse home. But it was still not enough - Mercer scored in the bottom of the seventh and MSU trailed, 10-8.
Both teams went three-up, three-down in the eighth and moved quickly into the ninth, Michigan State's last chance at victory.
Miller led off with a single up the middle and advanced when Walker singled down the left side. Freshman Adam Tripp (Saugus, Calif.) entered the game as a pinch runner for the catcher. Krider went to first on a fielder's choice by Paul Harp and Miller was out at third on the play.
With no outs, Cattrysse stepped up. His double down the right line took a high hop off first base, sending Tripp home and Krider to third.
With Koerber at the plate, down one run and the go-ahead runner on first, Koerber stared down the pitcher with the count at 2-2. He took his base when Harp (0-2) hit the first baseman.
With bases loaded, Gulick stepped into the box. Facing an 0-2 count, Gulick knocked it deep into right field for his first triple of the season, sending three runs home to win the game.
Mercer had its opportunity as the Bears were the home team Wednesday. Senior right-hander Ryan Kurtz (1-0) struck out Ty Megahee, the leadoff batter and Byrd and Andy Wells both flied out to end the inning and the game, 12-10, in the Spartans' favor.
Michigan State threw six pitchers as freshman Spencer Hahn (Findlay, Ohio) made the first start of his collegiate career on the mound for the Green and White. He allowed three runs - just one earned - on two hits, striking out one in 3.2 innings of work. Senior Ryan Kurtz (Toledo, Ohio) closed the game, allowing no runs or hits and striking out two in 2.1 innings for his first win of the season and the fourth of his career.
MSU ends its stint at the Kennel Club Classic 3-2 with wins against Western Michigan, Butler and Mercer and losses to host North Florida and Mercer.
The Spartans travel to No. 19/21 Florida State for a three-game, weekend series. Game time for the Friday game has been changed to 3:30 p.m. MSU faces the Seminoles Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
