Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Baseball Opens At Stetson Invitational
2/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 20, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
2008 Michigan State Baseball
Stetson Invitational - Feb. 22-24, 2008 - DeLand, Fla.
Friday, Feb. 22 - at Stetson - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 23 - Michigan State vs. Missouri - 1 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 24 - Michigan State vs. Connecticut - 12 p.m.
Coverage Information
Live audio Friday and Saturday
Listen To Friday's Game vs. Stetson
Listen To Saturday's Game vs. Missouri
Gametracker available for all three games
Listen To Spartan Sports Podcast
Mike
2008 Opening Day
The Michigan State baseball team (25-26 in 2007, 15-16 Big Ten) open its 2008 season with three-games at the Stetson Invitational in DeLand, Fla. Michigan State's first two games will be against 2007 NCAA Tournament teams Stetson (42-21) on Friday, Feb. 22 and Missouri (42-18) on Saturday, Feb. 23. MSU then closes the season-opening weekend with a noon game against Connecticut (34-27) on Sunday, Feb. 24.
Spartans Celebrate The Big 1-2-4
This is the 124th season of Michigan State baseball, which first fielded a team in 1884.
MSU Faces Big Ten's Most Daunting Schedule
Michigan State's 55-game regular season schedule features 23 teams which combined for a winning percentage of .569 in 2007, making the schedule the toughest in the Big Ten. MSU will play 12 games against seven teams that qualified for the 2007 NCAA Tournament, and 10 games against the nation's top 75 teams, according to PGCrosschecker.com. Michigan State's 15 non-conference opponents combined for a .600 winning percentage last year, also the highest total in the Big Ten.
Big Ten's Top Recruiting Class
MSU's 34-man roster features 12 newcomers which comprise the Big Ten's top-rated recruiting class, according to Baseball America. Two of the Spartans' newcomers - Jonathan Roof (39th round, Boston) and Tyler Newsome (49th round, Baltimore) - were selected in the 2007 MLB Draft.
Second Annual Crosstown Showdown - April 24
Michigan State will square off against the Lansing Lugnuts in the second annual Crosstown Showdown, which is set for Thursday, April 24 at 6:05 p.m. at Oldsmobile Park. The exhibition will pit Greater Lansing's two favorite teams in a seven-inning exhibition. It will be carried live on the Big Ten Network.
Strong On The Infield
Entering the season, Michigan State's strongest area appears to be its talent on the infield. Senior second baseman Steve Gerstenberger headlines the group, having earned second-team All-Big Ten honors last season after hitting a team-best .368. Fellow seniors Brandon Doherty and Evan Friedland also return after strong campaigns in 2007. Doherty hit .310 and ranked second on the team with a .423 on-base percentage, while Friedland batted .312 and played nearly flawless defense at first base, committing just four errors over 441 chances.
Scouting Stetson (42-21 in 2007)
The Hatters return 20 letterwinners and seven starters from last year's 42-21 team that won the Atlantic Sun and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Stetson returns three players who earned first-team All-Atlantic Sun honors in infielder Jeremy Cruz (.328, 3 HR, 44 RBI), outfielder Justin Bass (.362, 5 HR, 54 RBI) and designated hitter Brian Pruitt (.260, 4 HR, 39 RBI). Infielder Casey Frawley (.303, 28 RBI) was also named a freshman All-American. The Hatters return two key starting pitchers - both RHPs - in Jake Hitchcock (5-2, 3.89 ERA) and Justin Dechert (6-3, 4.65 ERA).
MSU's History Vs. Missouri
The Spartans are 0-2 all-time against Missouri, with the last meeting coming in a 9-1 Tigers win on March 26, 1981. The two schools met in the 1954 College World Series, with Missouri edging MSU, 4-3.
Scouting Missouri (42-18 in 2007)
The Tigers are expected to compete for the Big 12 title this season, and are ranked in several preseason national polls. Missouri is tabbed No. 12 by Rivals.com and No. 6 by Baseball America. The Tigers return 16 letterwinners and six starters from last year's NCAA Tournament squad, including power-hitting Jacob Priday (13 HR, 59 RBI). Outfielder Ryan Lollis and Kyle Mach each hit .294 last year. Missouri appears to be stocked with good pitching, as the Tigers return juniors Aaron Crow (9-4, 3.59 ERA) and Rick Zagone (7-2, 5.03 ERA, 77 K). Sophomore right-hander Kyle Gibson (8-3, 4.12 ERA, 7 saves) also returns.
MSU's History Vs. Connecticut
Historically, MSU has had success against Connecticut, holding a 2-0 edge in the all-time series between the two schools. Michigan State downed the Huskies, 10-6, on March 24, 1970, and the Spartans won a 3-2 decision over UConn on March 16, 1990.
Scouting UConn (34-27 in 2007)
Twenty-five letterwinners and six starters return from a UConn team that placed eighth in the Big East last season. Seniors Matt Karl and Pat Mahoney are the team's top returnees. Karl hit .301 and was 2-2 on the mound last season, while Mahoney batted .297 and hit a team-high 15 doubles last season.
Gerstenberger Headlines A Strong Returning Group
MSU returns starters at every position in the field, headlined by senior Steve Gerstenberger. The Fort Gratiot, Mich., native batted a team-high .368 while starting every game last season. Gerstenberger played mostly at second base, but can also play first base. He led the team in hits (77), runs (37), doubles (14) and total bases (100) en route to being named second-team All-Big Ten. For his career, Gerstenberger is hitting .325 with eight home runs and 78 RBI. Friday night's game at Stetson will be his 150th appearance wearing the Green and White.
Roberts Named Freshman All-American In 2007
Sophomore Chris Roberts made a huge impact in his first collegiate season last year, batting .331 while earning 43 starting assignments in the Spartan outfield. Roberts collected 48 hits and scored 23 runs while posting an on-base percentage of .418. For his efforts, the Oshkosh, Wis., native was named to the freshman All-America team by Ping Baseball. Roberts played his best baseball in conference action, hitting .360 against Big Ten opponents. Roberts was drafted in the 27th round of the 2006 MLB Draft by Cleveland.
Day Returns Behind The Dish
Junior Kyle Day has been one of MSU's most powerful offensive players the last two seasons, and he is poised for a breakout campaign in 2008. The Fort Wayne, Ind., is one of the best offensive catchers in the Big Ten, having hit .306 with six home runs and 59 RBI over his first two seasons. Day batted .295 last season and led the team with 33 walks. Uncharacteristically for a catcher, Day led MSU with 14 stolen bases last season. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 19th round of the MLB Draft last June.
Up Next
Michigan State embarks on one of the toughest road trips in school history, beginning with a four-game tournament at Lamar from Feb. 28-March 2. The Spartans will then travel to LSU for a two-game set before playing three games at the Rice Tournament from March 6-8. In all, MSU will play nine games in 10 days, facing four teams that qualified for the 2007 NCAA Tournament.
