MSU Offense Explodes In 14-3 Win Over Northwestern

Sunday, April 12

East Lansing, Mich.

1:05 PM

Michigan State University

18-15, 0

Northwestern

9-24, 0

Northwestern

Michigan State

4/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

April 12, 2015

Box Score

EAST LANSING - The Michigan State offense erupted for a season-high 20 hits on Sunday afternoon as the Spartans defeated Northwestern by a score of 14-3 at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field. With the win, the Spartans improve to 18-15 overall (4-5 Big Ten) and have won six of their last seven games after taking two of three from the Wildcats. The loss drops Northwestern to 9-24 and 3-6 in the Big Ten.

"We talked before the game today about starting fast and putting a big number up on the board," said MSU Head Coach Jake Boss Jr. "They made an attempt to get back in it in the fourth, but we answered and took the momentum back and I'm really proud of our guys.

"I think we've started to feel pretty good about ourselves offensively, which is good. So, hopefully we can keep that going. I still feel really good about where we're at on the mound and feel like our bullpen is outstanding. We're on a little bit of a run here; we've just got to keep some consistency going. Two big mid-week games and then we go to Rutgers next week."

After falling behind in each of the first two games of the series, MSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on Sunday. Cam Gibson got things started with a leadoff single to left and came around to score on an RBI double to right by Mark Weist. Cleanup hitter Blaise Salter followed with a double down the left field line to bring home Weist. After a base hit to left by Ryan Richardson, the Spartans plated their third run on a single to right by Anthony Cheky.

The Wildcats cut the MSU lead to 3-1 with a run on two hits in the top of the fourth inning against starter Mick VanVossen. Northwestern threatened for more, but VanVossen escaped a bases-loaded jam for the second time in three innings.

The Spartans answered with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by a Ryan Krill three-run double to score Brandon Hughes, Dan Durkin and Gibson for a 6-1 lead.

The Wildcat offense attempted to respond with runners on second and third and two outs in the top of the fifth, but a diving play in right field by Hughes kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard to end the frame.

MSU put up three runs for the second straight inning in the bottom of the fifth as Gibson delivered a two-out RBI single and Krill followed with a two-run single to put the Spartans on top, 9-1.

MSU added a run in the sixth and seventh innings and three more in the eighth on its way to the 11-run victory.

VanVossen allowed two runs on eight hits over six innings to improve to 2-4 on the year. The senior right-hander struck out six and walked four.

"We swung it really well. We've been swinging it well lately and it was good to see today," said Boss. "Ryan Krill had a huge day. [Anthony] Cheky's been really locked in. I thought Mick VanVossen battled on the mound and grinded out six innings."

Gibson and Krill led the Spartan offense on the afternoon as they combined to go 8-for-10 at the top of the order. Krill set new career-highs with five hits and six RBIs, while Gibson had three hits and one RBI out of the leadoff spot and also set a new career-high with four runs scored. Cheky went a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI and stole a season-high three bases on the day. Richardson had three hits for the second straight game.

"Ryan's (Krill) really seeing the ball well. He's worked hard in practice on getting the barrel out and driving the baseball like he's capable of and it's starting to happen for him, which is good to see," added Boss. "He's a great kid. He's worked extremely hard and it's fun to watch guys like that have success."

The Spartans will return to action on Tuesday, Apr. 14, to take on rival Michigan in a non-conference contest at Comerica Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.