Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
20-15, 0
Indiana
23-11, 0
Indiana Shuts Down Baseball in Series Opener
4/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 18, 2014
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - A strong outing from starting pitcher Joey DeNato helped 18th-ranked Indiana defeat the Michigan State baseball team, 7-0, on Friday night at Bart Kaufman Field in the first of a three-game series between the teams. The Big Ten-leading Hoosiers improved to 23-11 overall and 9-1 in the league, while MSU is 20-15 overall and 5-5 in the conference.
After getting out of a first-inning jam, DeNato allowed just four hits the rest of the way. He struck out five and walked three in eight-complete innings, improving to 8-1 on the year.
The Spartans' best chance to get to DeNato came in the top of the first as they loaded the bases with one out. A double and then two walks packed the bases for the Spartans, but DeNato struck out Ryan Krill, and Blaise Salter, who doubled earlier in the inning, was picked off at third to end the threat.
With the Spartans coming away empty in the first, Indiana took advantage in the bottom of the second inning by scoring three runs. Will Nolden belted a two-RBI triple and Nick Ramos then plated Nolden with an RBI groundout to make it 3-0.
The Hoosiers upped their lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the fourth off a two-run homer by Ramos. Spartan starting pitcher Mick VanVossen retired two of the first three hitters, but Brad Hartong reached on an error, allowing Ramos to step to the plate and hit his first home run of the season.
Nolden picked up his third and fourth RBIs of the game in the sixth and eighth innings, respectively, to help the Hoosiers add to their lead. He had a sacrifice fly in the sixth and then plated Sam Travis with a single to left field in the eighth inning, making it 7-0.
VanVossen lasted just 5 1/3 innings, allowing six runs (four earned) off five hits. He walked three and struck out four and fell to 5-1 on the year.
Joe Mockbee and Josh Buchalski combined to throw the final 2 2/3 innings, allowing one run off three hits.
The two teams will meet again tomorrow at 2:05 p.m. Justin Alleman is slated to take the mound for the Spartans.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: DeNato (8-1)
L: VanVossen, Mick (5-2)
Batting:
2B: Salter, Blaise 1
Base Running:
SB: Gibson, Cam 1
HBP: Gibson, Cam 1
PO: Fisher, Joel 1
Batting:
2B: Schwarber 1
3B: Nolden 1
HR: Ramos 1
RBI: Nolden 4 ; Ramos 3
SH: Hartong 1
SF: Nolden 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Travis 1 ; Donley,S 2 ; Hartong 2 ; Nolden 1 ; Ramos 1
SB: Schwarber 1 ; Hartong 1
CS: Schwarber 1
