Spartan Baseball To Play Lansing Lugnuts In Exhibition Game
9/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Sept. 7, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - For the first time in Oldsmobile Park history, the two teams that call the facility home will face off in an exhibition game on April 3, 2007. The Lansing Lugnuts will challenge the Michigan State Spartans before the Lugnuts open the 2007 campaign, their 12th in Lansing.
"We are very excited to have the opportunity to partner with Michigan State and bring this game to the city of Lansing," Lugnuts General Manager Jeff Calhoun said.
MSU, one of the rising baseball programs in the Big Ten behind the leadership of head coach David Grewe, finished the 2006 season with a 26-30 record in Grewe's first season. The Spartans, who played the first game in Oldsmobile Park history in 1996, owned a 6-6 record at the facility last season.
"This game is just another great step in continuing our strong relationship with the Lansing Lugnuts, one of the finest baseball organizations in the game," said Grewe. "I'm thrilled that the players will get the opportunity to play in this event. Our program is going to bring excitement to the game for both the fans of Lansing and Michigan State, and we look forward to having a great evening of baseball. I truly believe this is a unique event that the whole Greater Lansing community will enjoy."
The Lugnuts, a Class-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, finished the 2006 regular season with a 72-66 record and a spot in the Midwest League playoffs. Lansing also finished the season by posting a sterling 45-24 mark at home.
Last fall, officials announced that the City of Lansing and Michigan State University signed a five-year extension that will keep the team using the facility through 2010.
"We have a solid relationship with the City of Lansing, the Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority and the Lansing Lugnuts, and this game signifies our great association," said MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason. "Our partnership is beneficial to the entire Lansing community. Michigan State and the Spartan baseball program are thankful for the opportunity to play in this event. Our team truly enjoys competing at Oldsmobile Park - it's a first-class facility and it's a wonderful way to take our team to the community."
"This great event will take place because of the support of our Athletics Director, Ron Mason, and Senior Associate Athletics Director, Shelley Appelbaum," added Grewe. "They worked closely with Jeff Calhoun, the GM of the Lugnuts, to insure this will be a winning night for both parties. The owners of the Lugnuts, Tom Dickson and Sherrie Myers, are great people and it is only through their vision and support that we can bring this game to the Lansing community and build on the great relationship that exists between Michigan State University and Lansing."
