Michigan State University
Toledo
MSU Baseball Falls To Toledo In 11 Innings, 8-7
3/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 10, 2005
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Sophomores Adam Tripp (Saugus, Calif.) and Troy Krider (Coldwater, Mich.) each recorded two hits and three RBI as the Michigan State baseball team lost to Toledo, 8-7, in its final game at the Kennel Club Classic at the University of North Florida's Harmon Stadium. The Spartans finished the tournament with a 3-2 record and had their two-game winning streak snapped. Tripp went 2-for-6 at the plate, while Krider batted 2-for-5.
After two scoreless innings, Toledo (3-6) posted a five-run rally with two outs in the third inning, off MSU starting pitcher Mark Sorensen (Northville, Mich.). Freshman Drew Hosington started the rally with a single, junior Jason Watson and sophomore Joel Visser registered walks to load the bases. On the next play, junior Travis Pilewski delivered a two-run single to take a 2-0 lead. Two batters later, senior Dan Ruth lined a two-run double to left center, giving the Rockets a 5-0 advantage.
The Spartans (5-3) scored four runs in the top of the fourth to pull to within 5-4. Sophomore Ryan Basham (Lowell, Ind.) walked to open the frame and later scored on an RBI single by sophomore second baseman E.J. Daws (Bozeman, Mont.). Sophomore catcher Kris Morris (Jenison, Mich.) and freshman third baseman Steve Gertsenberger (Fort Gratiot, Mich.) loaded the bases with back-to-back infield singles. Tripp singled home Daws and Morris. Krider scored Gerstenberger in the next at-bat, with a single to right field.
The Rockets added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to increase their lead to 7-4. Freshman Jake Swint doubled to open the inning and scored on a double down the left-field line by Hoisington. Two batters later, Visser brought home Hosington on a single through the left side.
The Spartans scored three runs in the ninth inning to tie the game at 7-7. Toledo reliever Ben Lovell issued walks to freshman pinch hitter Ryan Sontag (Monroe, Mich.) and Gerstenberger to start the inning. Tripp doubled home Sontag, cutting Toledo's lead down to 7-5. With two runners on base and no outs, Krider hit a single through the left side off Lovell to send the game into extra innings.
Swint opened the 11th inning for the Rockets with a double through the infield and scored three batters later on a throwing error by Krider to end the game.
Pilewski paced the Rockets' offensive attack, going 3-for-5 with two RBI. Hoisington and Swint each went 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored.
Sophomore Greg Gompf (1-0) earned the win for Toledo, surrendering only one hit in three innings of relief.
Tripp (2-for-5, RBI), Morris (2-for-5, two runs, RBI) and Cattrysse (2-for-4, run) each collected two hits for Michigan State.
Junior right-handed reliever Jeff Gerbe (0-1) took the loss for Michigan State, allowing only one run on two hits in two and two-thirds innings. Gerbe (Shelby Township, Mich.) also recorded two strikeouts.
Sorensen tallied a strikeout and three walks in two and two-thirds innings, while surrendering five runs (three earned) on six hits.
Michigan State opens a three-game weekend series against No. 6/13 Florida in Gainesville, Fla., beginning Friday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m.
