Friday, April 9
East Lansing, Mich.
2 PM ET
Michigan State University
10-9, 10-9
7
vs
4
Penn State
6-12, 6-12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Penn State
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
4
11
1
Michigan State
2
1
0
0
0
3
0
1
X
7
12
0
Photo by: Jeremy Fleming
Spartans Split Friday’s Twinbill With Penn State
4/9/2021 10:42:00 PM | Baseball
MSU won game one 7-4, before dropping night cap, 7-3.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State baseball split its doubleheader with Penn State Friday at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field, winning game one, 7-4, before getting topped in the night cap, 7-3.
Friday's game was originally scheduled for a single game and then the Spartans and Nittany Lions were supposed to meet on Saturday, but due to the impending weather forecast in the East Lansing area, MSU and PSU played a doubleheader Friday instead. The Spartans and Nittany Lions didn't completely avoid Mother Nature, as there was a nearly one-hour weather delay in the eighth inning of game one, before play resumed, and rain fell throughout the evening.
Saturday's schedule of the East Lansing pod will now only feature Penn State and Purdue playing at 10 a.m. Sunday's schedule is still as originally scheduled for the Nittany Lions and Boilermakers playing at 12:05 p.m., followed by MSU vs. Purdue at 4:05 p.m., before the extended weekend wraps up on Monday with the Spartans and Boilermakers battling at 3:05 p.m. The schedule is subject to change based on weather.
In Friday's opener, the Spartans got solid pitching from junior starting pitcher Mason Erla, as he went 7.0 IP, striking out seven, while scattering four hits while just allowing one run. The seven strikeouts gives Erla 202 for his career, becoming just the fifth Spartan pitcher in school history to reach the 200 strikeout mark.
"Mason was really good tonight, and again what a Friday night starter, I think in our conference looks like, his velocity was really good and he commands three pitches for strikes, and really was in control I think the whole way," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "We asked him to get deep into the game, which is what we needed, our bullpen is a little thin, and he was able to do that for us, and just really everything that we ask and expect out of a Friday night guy and again I think Mason is not only one of the better arms in our conference but one of the better arms in the country, and tonight was another really, really good outing out to him."
In the night cap, Penn State had 11 hits, while the Nittany Lions pitching and defense limited the Spartans to just four hits.
"In game two tonight, unfortunately they put up a big number in the first and we got a little unlucky in the first, hitting a ball off of their guy that ended up going for an out and if that gets through it may change the game a little bit, but credit Penn State, I think we struck out a little bit too much tonight," Boss said. "We did compete, we made it difficult for those guys, we just couldn't seem to finish off some at bats. We hit a lot of balls hard though, I think we had a lot of balls right at their guys, so they had us positioned correctly, and they executed their pitch on the mound when they needed to. Again, we hit balls hard, that's all I can ask our guys to do and the goal is to still win the series and we have an opportunity to do that with two games with Purdue coming up to complete the weekend, so we'll be we'll be ready to play."
At the plate Friday, the Spartans were boosted by senior outfielder Joe Stewart going 3-for-5 with two RBI, while junior infielder/pitcher Zach Iverson blasted his first home run of the season as part of 1-for-3 with two runs scored. It was Iverson's second home run of his career, but first round-tripper at home, going opposite field in the bottom of the second over the newly installed fence padding at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field.
Iverson also factored in the defense, pitching the final 1.1 IP and earning his team-leading fourth save of the season, striking out two.
Freshman infielder Trent Farquhar was 2-for-4 with a run scored, while redshirt-freshman Gabe Sotres was 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Freshman infielder Mitch Jebb was 1-for-3 with a run scored. Freshman designated hitter Jack Frank and freshman infielder Brock Vradenburg were both 1-for-4, with Vradenburg driving in a run, while senior outfielder Bryce Kelley was 1-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
In the night cap, the Spartans were limited to only four hits, with Farquhar going 1-for-4 with a run scored, Frank was 1-for-4 with an RBI, while Jebb and Iverson were both also 1-for-4.Kelley and Stewart didn't register a hit in three at bats apiece, but Kelley drove in a run and scored once, while Stewart scored a run.
The Spartans get on the board first in the opener with an RBI single to right from Stewart, plating Farquhar, who led off the first with his own single to right. MSU added another run on a wild pitch as Kelley scampered home on a wild pitch for a 2-0 lead after the first frame.
After a nifty solo double play by Vradenburg, snaring a line drive and doubling up the runner, Erla ended the non-conventional three-up, three-down inning with a strikeout.
Iverson blasted his opposite field home run in the bottom of the second to put MSU ahead, 3-0.
Penn State broke up the shutout with a solo home run in the top of the third to close to 3-1.
That would remain the score until the sixth stanza, when freshman infielder Mitch Jebb led off with a walk to spark a Spartan rally. Jebb then stole second and Iverson drew a walk. After Jebb moved to third on a wild pitch, Vradenburg knocked a single to right, driving in Jebb and Iverson scampered around to third, and chasing Penn State starter Bailey Dees. Sotres greeted reliever Hutch Gagnon with an RBI fielder's choice, driving in Iverson. Farquhar followed with a single to the left center gap, and Kelley later singled to center to drive in Sotres and give the Spartans a 6-1 lead.
Freshman relief pitcher Dominic Hann came on in relief of Erla to open the top of the eighth, and PSU mounted a little rally, with a one-out double by Curtis Robison, then after a flyout, an RBI double by Gavin Homer brought in Robison and make the score 6-2. After pair of walks loaded the bases with two outs, MSU made a pitching change, bringing in Iverson from third. During Iverson's warm-up pitches, game officials announced the weather delay with lightning in the area and ominous clouds hovering. After a nearly one-hour delay which featured a tarp pull and heavy rain, play resumed, and Iverson struck out Penn State's Justin Williams to end the threat.
Penn State didn't go quietly in the ninth, as a pair of back-to-back doubles scored a run and later after a groundout, an RBI single plated PSU's second run of the inning to pull within, 7-4, the Nittany Lions loaded the bases with only one out. However, Iverson chalked up a strikeout and then got a fielder's choice to end the rally and the game, sparking the Victory for MSU, and earn his team-leading fourth save of the season.
In the nightcap, Penn State jumped out to a 4-0 lead before MSU even came to bat, stringing together three hits, with a two-run double by Justin Williams, then Matt Wood followed with a two-run home run.
The Spartans cut their deficit in half in the home half of the first, as freshman designated hitter Jack Frank singled to drive in Kelley who sparked the rally with a walk. After Stewart reached on a catcher's interference and Walker later followed with an RBI groundout, smacking a rocket off Penn State starting pitcher Conor Larkin's foot and ricocheting to first baseman Parker Hendershot, but allowing Stewart to score and slice the gap in half at 4-2.
Penn State added a run in the top of the third for a 5-2 lead.
The Spartans got a run back in the bottom of the fifth, as Farquhar roped a triple to the gap in right center and Kelley drove him in with an RBI groundout to first to pull MSU within, 5-3.
In the visitor's eighth, the Nittany Lions plated a pair of runs, with a leadoff double, then taking advantage of an MSU error and later scoring on a fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly to stretch the lead to 7-3, and the Spartans couldn't get any closer.
Along with any schedule updates, fans can follow the games with links for live stats, live audio and live streaming from Big Ten Network+ at MSUSpartans.com.
Friday's game was originally scheduled for a single game and then the Spartans and Nittany Lions were supposed to meet on Saturday, but due to the impending weather forecast in the East Lansing area, MSU and PSU played a doubleheader Friday instead. The Spartans and Nittany Lions didn't completely avoid Mother Nature, as there was a nearly one-hour weather delay in the eighth inning of game one, before play resumed, and rain fell throughout the evening.
Saturday's schedule of the East Lansing pod will now only feature Penn State and Purdue playing at 10 a.m. Sunday's schedule is still as originally scheduled for the Nittany Lions and Boilermakers playing at 12:05 p.m., followed by MSU vs. Purdue at 4:05 p.m., before the extended weekend wraps up on Monday with the Spartans and Boilermakers battling at 3:05 p.m. The schedule is subject to change based on weather.
In Friday's opener, the Spartans got solid pitching from junior starting pitcher Mason Erla, as he went 7.0 IP, striking out seven, while scattering four hits while just allowing one run. The seven strikeouts gives Erla 202 for his career, becoming just the fifth Spartan pitcher in school history to reach the 200 strikeout mark.
"Mason was really good tonight, and again what a Friday night starter, I think in our conference looks like, his velocity was really good and he commands three pitches for strikes, and really was in control I think the whole way," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "We asked him to get deep into the game, which is what we needed, our bullpen is a little thin, and he was able to do that for us, and just really everything that we ask and expect out of a Friday night guy and again I think Mason is not only one of the better arms in our conference but one of the better arms in the country, and tonight was another really, really good outing out to him."
While we wait out the rain delay...
— Michigan State Baseball (@statebaseball) April 9, 2021
Mason Erla's 7 strikeouts today gives him 2⃣0⃣2⃣ career strikeouts... becoming the 5th pitcher in Spartan baseball history to reach 200 Ks! 🔥🔥🔥
Congratulations Mason!!
⚾️#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/sY0AXojG0O
In the night cap, Penn State had 11 hits, while the Nittany Lions pitching and defense limited the Spartans to just four hits.
"In game two tonight, unfortunately they put up a big number in the first and we got a little unlucky in the first, hitting a ball off of their guy that ended up going for an out and if that gets through it may change the game a little bit, but credit Penn State, I think we struck out a little bit too much tonight," Boss said. "We did compete, we made it difficult for those guys, we just couldn't seem to finish off some at bats. We hit a lot of balls hard though, I think we had a lot of balls right at their guys, so they had us positioned correctly, and they executed their pitch on the mound when they needed to. Again, we hit balls hard, that's all I can ask our guys to do and the goal is to still win the series and we have an opportunity to do that with two games with Purdue coming up to complete the weekend, so we'll be we'll be ready to play."
At the plate Friday, the Spartans were boosted by senior outfielder Joe Stewart going 3-for-5 with two RBI, while junior infielder/pitcher Zach Iverson blasted his first home run of the season as part of 1-for-3 with two runs scored. It was Iverson's second home run of his career, but first round-tripper at home, going opposite field in the bottom of the second over the newly installed fence padding at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field.
Ivo Goes Oppo!
— Michigan State Baseball (@statebaseball) April 9, 2021
Iverson belts an opposite field home run for his 1st HR of the season & 2nd of his career after going yard in B2nd, giving MSU a 3-0 lead vs. Penn State.
⚾️#GoGreen | @IversonZachary pic.twitter.com/EG78TzOHu0
Iverson also factored in the defense, pitching the final 1.1 IP and earning his team-leading fourth save of the season, striking out two.
Freshman infielder Trent Farquhar was 2-for-4 with a run scored, while redshirt-freshman Gabe Sotres was 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Freshman infielder Mitch Jebb was 1-for-3 with a run scored. Freshman designated hitter Jack Frank and freshman infielder Brock Vradenburg were both 1-for-4, with Vradenburg driving in a run, while senior outfielder Bryce Kelley was 1-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
In the night cap, the Spartans were limited to only four hits, with Farquhar going 1-for-4 with a run scored, Frank was 1-for-4 with an RBI, while Jebb and Iverson were both also 1-for-4.Kelley and Stewart didn't register a hit in three at bats apiece, but Kelley drove in a run and scored once, while Stewart scored a run.
The Spartans get on the board first in the opener with an RBI single to right from Stewart, plating Farquhar, who led off the first with his own single to right. MSU added another run on a wild pitch as Kelley scampered home on a wild pitch for a 2-0 lead after the first frame.
After a nifty solo double play by Vradenburg, snaring a line drive and doubling up the runner, Erla ended the non-conventional three-up, three-down inning with a strikeout.
Iverson blasted his opposite field home run in the bottom of the second to put MSU ahead, 3-0.
Penn State broke up the shutout with a solo home run in the top of the third to close to 3-1.
That would remain the score until the sixth stanza, when freshman infielder Mitch Jebb led off with a walk to spark a Spartan rally. Jebb then stole second and Iverson drew a walk. After Jebb moved to third on a wild pitch, Vradenburg knocked a single to right, driving in Jebb and Iverson scampered around to third, and chasing Penn State starter Bailey Dees. Sotres greeted reliever Hutch Gagnon with an RBI fielder's choice, driving in Iverson. Farquhar followed with a single to the left center gap, and Kelley later singled to center to drive in Sotres and give the Spartans a 6-1 lead.
Freshman relief pitcher Dominic Hann came on in relief of Erla to open the top of the eighth, and PSU mounted a little rally, with a one-out double by Curtis Robison, then after a flyout, an RBI double by Gavin Homer brought in Robison and make the score 6-2. After pair of walks loaded the bases with two outs, MSU made a pitching change, bringing in Iverson from third. During Iverson's warm-up pitches, game officials announced the weather delay with lightning in the area and ominous clouds hovering. After a nearly one-hour delay which featured a tarp pull and heavy rain, play resumed, and Iverson struck out Penn State's Justin Williams to end the threat.
Penn State didn't go quietly in the ninth, as a pair of back-to-back doubles scored a run and later after a groundout, an RBI single plated PSU's second run of the inning to pull within, 7-4, the Nittany Lions loaded the bases with only one out. However, Iverson chalked up a strikeout and then got a fielder's choice to end the rally and the game, sparking the Victory for MSU, and earn his team-leading fourth save of the season.
In the nightcap, Penn State jumped out to a 4-0 lead before MSU even came to bat, stringing together three hits, with a two-run double by Justin Williams, then Matt Wood followed with a two-run home run.
The Spartans cut their deficit in half in the home half of the first, as freshman designated hitter Jack Frank singled to drive in Kelley who sparked the rally with a walk. After Stewart reached on a catcher's interference and Walker later followed with an RBI groundout, smacking a rocket off Penn State starting pitcher Conor Larkin's foot and ricocheting to first baseman Parker Hendershot, but allowing Stewart to score and slice the gap in half at 4-2.
Not in our 🏠! Stewart guns down Wood at the plate to end the top half of the third! pic.twitter.com/9z7lx5TB5b
— Michigan State Baseball (@statebaseball) April 9, 2021
Penn State added a run in the top of the third for a 5-2 lead.
The Spartans got a run back in the bottom of the fifth, as Farquhar roped a triple to the gap in right center and Kelley drove him in with an RBI groundout to first to pull MSU within, 5-3.
What a play by Jebb!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@statebaseball) April 10, 2021
Freshman to freshman to freshman for the DP!
Jebb makes the diving stop, flips to Farquhar for the quick turn and throw to Vradenburg for the double play!!
⚾️#GoGreen | @jebb_mitch | @trentjf7 | @VradenburgBrock pic.twitter.com/RB6kVE4NIx
In the visitor's eighth, the Nittany Lions plated a pair of runs, with a leadoff double, then taking advantage of an MSU error and later scoring on a fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly to stretch the lead to 7-3, and the Spartans couldn't get any closer.
Along with any schedule updates, fans can follow the games with links for live stats, live audio and live streaming from Big Ten Network+ at MSUSpartans.com.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Erla, Mason (3-2)
L: Dees, Bailey (2-2)
S: Iverson, Zach (5)
Batting:
2B: Homer, Gavin 1 ; Wood, Matt 1 ; Spiegel, Josh 1 ; Robison, Curtis 1
HR: Robison, Curtis 1
RBI: Homer, Gavin 1 ; Spiegel, Josh 1 ; Robison, Curtis 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Wood, Matt 1 ; Spiegel, Josh 1 ; Robison, Curtis 2
Batting:
2B: Jebb, Mitch 1 ; Sotres, Gabe 1
HR: Iverson, Zach 1
RBI: Kelley, Bryce 1 ; Stewart, Joe 2 ; Iverson, Zach 1 ; Vradenburg, Brock 1 ; Sotres, Gabe 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Farquhar, Trent 1 ; Kelley, Bryce 1 ; Jebb, Mitch 1 ; Iverson, Zach 2 ; Sotres, Gabe 2
SB: Jebb, Mitch 1
HBP: Farquhar, Trent 1 ; Sotres, Gabe 1
Game Leaders
AB
5
R
0
H
3
RBI
2
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
5
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ BaseballINF
/ BaseballOF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF/OF/RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ BaseballOF/LHP
/ Baseball
C
/ BaseballOF/1B
/ Baseball
INF
/ BaseballPursuit to Greatness | Spartans All-Access
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