Spartan Bats Erupt in 15-8 Victory

Saturday, February 20

Greenville, S.C.

12:00 PM

Michigan State University

2-0

Furman

0-2

Michigan State

Furman

2/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 20, 2016

Box Score

Greenville, S.C.The Michigan State baseball team scored double digit runs for the second consecutive game to start the season in a 15-8 victory over Furman on Saturday afternoon in Greenville, S.C. The Paladins made a run at the Spartans in three straight innings, but MSU held them off each time before pulling away to improve to 2-0 on the season. MSU has combined for 26 runs and 34 hits in its first two games.

"When we came down here, I really thought we would defend and pitch well and we didn't know what we would get offensively," said head coach Jake Boss Jr. "But, we've really swung the bat. I give our guys a lot of credit right now."

The turning point in the game came in the fifth inning after Furman tied it up at 8-8 and had bases loaded with one out. Boss made the call to bring in Troop from first base to pitch. Momentum was shifting, as the Paladins had scored four in the third inning and three in the fourth and were primed for another big inning in the fifth.

Troop was tested on his first batter with a safety squeeze, but he fielded the ball cleanly and got the runner at the plate before getting a huge strikeout to get out of the jam. The sophomore then doubled and scored on a wild pitch the following inning to give the Spartans a 9-8 lead they wouldn't give back.

"We really started rolling at that point," said Troop. "You could tell the difference in the dugout. Everybody was really having fun at that point. From there, we broke it open and it made it a lot easier. Everyone just feeds off of each other so much. It's a great way to start the season."

Furman would have just two hits over the remaining four innings. Troop picked up his first win of the season, going 3.2 innings and allowing just one hit while striking out five.

Holding on to a 9-8 lead in the eighth, Dan Durkin came up with a two out single. He then stole second base to move into scoring position for Royce Ando who singled him home. Matt Byars then stepped to the plate and added two more insurance runs with a blast over the left-center field wall for his first homer of the season to extend the lead to 12-8 heading into the ninth.

Five Michigan State hitters drove in multiple runs in the contest and nine Spartan batters recorded a hit.

"That's what it takes to put a big number up," said Boss. "Guys are feeling good and so you get a little bit of momentum. Believe me, it can go as quick as it comes, so we're trying to take advantage of it now. As long as guys are seeing the ball well and feeling comfortable, then hopefully that all continues."

After scoring 11 runs yesterday, the Spartan offense picked up right where it left, putting a three spot on the board in the top of the first. Marty Bechina and Jordan Zimmerman both reached to start the game before Troop smacked a double off the right field wall. Zack McGuire followed with a single up the middle to bring home Troop.

Bechina went 4-for-5 with three more runs scored, giving him a team-high six on the season.

After Furman came roaring back to tie the game with a four-run third inning, MSU answered back with a four-run inning of its own in the fifth. With the top of the lineup due up, the Spartans had three straight hits to start the inning, highlighted by a Brandon Hughes two-RBI triple that scored Bechina and Zimmerman.

The 1-4 hitters in the Spartan lineup combined for 10 hits, 11 runs and six RBIs.

"They make us go," said Boss. "I think those guys are really good hitters. Guys are comfortable right now and seeing the ball. If those guys get on base and make things happen, good things will happen for us."

After reaching base in all five plate appearances yesterday, Troop reached in his first four trips to the plate today and has reached base in 10 of 11 possible times for an on base percentage of .909.

Michigan State closes out opening weekend tomorrow at 11 a.m. vs. Fordham at Fluor Field in Greenville, S.C.