Spartans Close Out Opening Weekend with 3-2 Victory

Sunday, February 15

Surprise, Ariz.

1:00 PM

Michigan State University

2-1

Northwestern

0-3

Northwestern

Michigan State

2/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 15, 2015

Final Stats

SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Michigan State baseball team wrapped up its opening weekend in Arizona with a 3-2 win over Northwestern on Sunday afternoon. Pitching was the story of the day for the Spartans, as starter Anthony Misiewicz went six innings, allowing just one run and striking out six, while Jeff Kinley allowed one hit in 2.1 innings of work out of the bullpen to earn his first win of the season.

With MSU leading 2-0 heading into the sixth, Northwestern cut into the lead with a run in the top half of the inning followed by a big push in the seventh in hopes to regain the lead. The Wildcats loaded the bases with just one out and were on the verge of a big inning. Walter Borkovich forced a groundball to short for the second out, but the Spartans couldn't convert the double play to get out of the inning, allowing a run to score and tie up the game at 2-2. Closer Jeff Kinley then took over in the biggest moment of the game for the second day in a row and got the Spartans out of the jam, forcing Zach Jones to ground out.

"I told Jeff after the game, that is why we give you the ball at the end," said head coach Jake Boss. "He is as good as there is. He's been in those situations before. He is a fifth-year senior and he has played a lot of baseball here. He has seen a lot and has a lot of experience. That is the guy you want with the ball at the end of the game."

MSU was held to just three hits in the game, but capitalized on some key Northwestern mistakes. The Spartans went down in order the first time through the lineup and didn't get their first hit of the game until Cam Gibson led off the bottom of the fourth with a single. After Gibson appeared to be picked off, Northwestern first basemen Ryan Jones threw the ball into left field, allowing Gibson to advance to third. Brandon Hughes then grounded out to short in the next at-bat to bring home the game's first run.

"We had four baserunners on the day and scored three, so I guess you could say we were efficient," said Boss. "I was a little disappointed in the approach at the plate today. Credit their guy - their lefthander did a nice job against us and threw well. We hit a few balls hard, but overall, we are disappointed in the offensive effort today. It is good when you can win a close ball game like that and with our pitching we feel like we are going to be in every game."

Anthony Cheky wreaked havoc on the base path the following inning, starting with a grounder to the Wildcat second baseman Antonio Freschet who made a low throw to first, allowing Cheky reach safely. He then stole second before advancing to third on a wild pitch. NU starter Matt Portland then threw another wild pitch in the dirt, and with no hesitation, Cheky darted for home and slid in safely to put the Spartans up 2-0.

"We are always going to try to be aggressive, I don't think that is any secret," said Boss. "At the same time, the game sometimes dictates how you play. Guys did what they needed to do today. The way we scored, all three runs were based on offensive pressure."

After Northwestern tied the game up in the seventh, Michigan State responded in its next at-bat, jump-started with a leadoff single by senior Blaise Salter. Chase Toth came on to pinch run for Salter and advanced to third on a wild pitch followed by a passed ball. Mark Weist came through for the Spartans with a sac fly to right that brought home the game-winning run.

Kinley returned to the mound for the final two innings after getting out of the seventh, closing the door on any potential comeback from Northwestern, as he retired the first six batters he faced. After allowing the seventh hitter to reach base, Kinley picked him off first to end the game and give MSU the win.

"Overall, there are a lot of positives we can take away from the weekend," said Boss. "Certainly a lot to work on, but anytime you can go 2-1 and win the weekend, it is a good."

MSU returns to action next weekend in Arlington, Texas, where it will play three games.