Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Baseball Opens Season At Cardinal Classic
2/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 23, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State baseball opens the 2006 season Feb. 24-26 in Beaumont, Texas, at the Cardinal Classic, hosted by Lamar. The Spartans have four games scheduled this weekend, including two against Lamar (Friday and Saturday), and one each against Arkansas State (Saturday) and Kentucky (Sunday).
"We are thrilled to finally get out there on the baseball field and start competing," head coach David Grewe stated. "We just want to get out there and play hard and play every pitch, every inning like we know how."
While Friday's game against Lamar will be the Spartan's first of the season, all three of State's opponents at the classic already have at least three games under their belts.
"We are going to go out there and let our hard work pay off," Grewe said. "Our guys are ready, and we are confident."
Left-handed junior John Dwan will get the nod for the Spartans in the season opener. Dwan made four starts in 11 appearances last year, compiling a 1-2 record with a 9.39 ERA. Lamar (3-5) also will go with a lefty starter in senior William Delage, who has taken the hill three times in 2006, posting a 1-1 record with a 7.16 ERA.
Fresh Faces, New Attitude: Head coach David Grewe is focused on taking the Michigan State baseball program to the top of the Big Ten standings and establishing it as one of the premier programs in the Midwest. Grewe, who arrived in East Lansing this last July, previously served as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Notre Dame (2003-2005). Injecting new life into MSU baseball, Coach Grewe and his staff bring a new attitude and a game plan for success. Grewe's plan for the future is simple: win through hard work and dedication, with a primary focus on doing things the "right" way both on and off the field.
On The Road Again: MSU plays its first 15 games of the season on the road, including a trip to Florida, March 4-11, traveling to Clearwater, Miami and Boca Raton. While in Clearwater at the Winning Inning College Classic, MSU will play Lehigh on March 4 and 6, squeezing Sacred Heart in on the 5. From there, State goes cross-state to Miami, facing Florida International on March 7 and Miami, who concluded the 2005 season ranked 15th, on March 8. Wrapping up their stint in the south, the Spartans take on Seton Hall and Rhode Island on March 9 and 11, respectively, in Boca Raton. The last four games of Michigan State's initial 15-game road trip will be in Athens, Ohio, facing the Bobcats of Ohio, March 17-19, with a doubleheader scheduled for the 18. The Spartans open at home with Western Illinois at Kobs Field on March 25 and again on the 26.
Streaky Spartans: Junior Ryan Basham enters the 2006 season with a 14-game hitting streak, while classmate Troy Krider is riding a 10-game hitting streak.
Krider Named To Wallace Watch List: The College Baseball Foundation released its 2006 Wallace Watch list, with MSU's Troy Krider named among the 120 players from around the country. Krider is one of only eight Big Ten players to appear on the list. The Brooks Wallace Award is presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year.
Basham And Cattrysse Named Preseason All-Big Ten: Junior Ryan Basham and senior Alan Cattrysse were both named preseason all-conference selections by Baseball America.
Plenty Of Power In The Pen: Depth will be the biggest strength of the 2006 Spartan pitching staff as Coach Grewe will look to a host of arms to foil opponents. The top returning pitcher in the rotation is junior Craig Brookes, who led MSU with a 6-1 record a year ago. His only loss came to sixth-ranked Florida, who ended the season as the runner-up at the College World Series. MSU has a total of 18 hurlers on its roster, with 13 of those having experience.
