Michigan State University
27-20, 9-11
Nebraska
31-17-1, 13-6-1
MSU Topped By Huskers Saturday
5/13/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Michigan State baseball was topped by Nebraska, 5-2, Saturday in the second game of the three-game Big Ten Conference series at Hawks Field, leveling the series at a game apiece. MSU lost despite turning a triple play in the game.
The Spartans turned their first triple play since 2012 with the three outs in the second inning after Nebraska loaded the bases. It was also the first triple play in the Big Ten and just the 11th in NCAA this season.
Saturday's loss evens the series with a win for each team after the Spartans' 6-3 win in Friday's opener, which was MSU's first-ever trip to Lincoln. With the loss Saturday, MSU has a 27-20 overall and 9-11 B1G record. Nebraska entered the weekend ranked No. 25 in the Baseball America Top 25, as well as No. 26 in the Collegiate Baseball poll. The Huskers were also among others receiving votes in both the USA Today Coaches and the NCBWA polls. With Saturday's win, Nebraska is now 31-17-1 overall and 13-6-1 in B1G action.
Michigan State had six hits, with junior first baseman Zack McGuire going 1-for-4 and scoring both of the Spartans' runs and being on the end of the triple play. Senior catcher Matt Byars was 1-for-2 with two walks, while freshman left fielder Bryce Kelley was 1-for-3 with an RBI and junior designated hitter Chad Roskelly was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Junior centerfielder Brandon Hughes was 1-for-4. Hughes now has an 11-game hitting streak, while Roskelly has a hit in 10-straight games.
"We had a couple chances today, but that's a good ballclub over there, and they made a couple plays when we needed to and unfortunately, we lost the ball in the sun there in the eighth and that kind of changed the inning. Our guys just keep fighting and keep competing," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr., said.
Nebraska loaded the bases without any outs in the bottom of the second, but got out of the jam with a triple play. Jesse Wilkening hit a chopper to third, where Spartan sophomore third baseman Marty Bechina snared it, stepped on the bag at third, then fired to senior second baseman Dan Durkin at second, who turned and threw to McGuire at first to complete the triple play. It was MSU's first triple play since 2012 in the NCAA Tournament and was the first triple play in the B1G since 2014, when Penn State had three that season.
Michigan State rode the emotion from the triple play to get a rally going in the top of the third, when McGuire started the rally by reaching on an error. After advancing to second on a groundout, McGuire came around to score on an RBI single by Kelley to his counterpart position in left for a 1-0 Spartan lead.
MSU added another run in the top of the fifth, when McGuire again started the rally by reaching on an error. Hughes followed with a single, then Kelley sacrifice bunted the runners up a base. Junior designated hitter Chad Roskelly then flew out to center field for the sacrifice fly RBI to plate McGuire for a 2-0 visitor's advantage.
The home team broke through with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, with two runs coming on a two-run double by Ben Miller and the Huskers took the lead for the first time in the game at 3-2.
Nebraska added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth, taking advantage of a leadoff double after Kelley lost the ball in the sun. The Huskers could have added more, but junior reliever Keegan Baar came on with the bases loaded but chalked up a strikeout and a popup. Nebraska's two runs gave the home team a 5-2 lead.
Michigan State threatened in the top of the ninth, loading the bases with one out, but the rally fizzled to end the game.
Sunday's rubber match to wrap up the series is slated for a first pitch at 1:05 p.m. ET. Sunday's start time was moved up an hour earlier from the original schedule due to MSU's travel schedule.
Michigan State plays another in-state foe on Tuesday, May 16 at Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant. The Spartans wrap-up regular-season action with the three-game series against in-state rival Michigan, opening on Thursday, May 18 at 4:05 p.m. at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field, then to Ann Arbor on Friday, May 19 at 6 p.m., before the series and regular-season finale on Saturday, May 20 at 1:05 p.m.
Fans should stay tuned to www.MSUSpartans.com or follow MSU Baseball on twitter at statebaseball for any schedule and location updates.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Burkamper, D (5-4)
L: Lowery, Jake (2-3)
S: Alvarado, L. (9)
Batting:
RBI: Kelley, Bryce 1 ; Roskelly, Chad 1
SH: Kelley, Bryce 1
SF: Roskelly, Chad 1
Base Running:
RUNS: McGuire, Zack 2
HBP: Bechina, Marty 1
Batting:
2B: Hagge, M. 1 ; Miller, B. 1
RBI: Hagge, M. 1 ; Miller, B. 2 ; Cronenbold,B 1 ; Alvarado, L. 1
SH: Klenke, B. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Altavilla, A 1 ; Hagge, M. 2 ; Schreiber, S 2
