Joe Stewart Feature: Things Just Clicking

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State baseball senior outfielder Joe Stewart knew he needed to be patient to get his chance to play, and his persistence has paid off.

In this his final season in a Green & White uniform, Stewart is having a career year in 2021, after only seeing action in 17 games the past three seasons combined, with just 19 total at bats before this season.

Entering the final weekend of the season and his time as a Spartan, Stewart is among the team leaders in several offensive categories, including home runs with four, batting average, ranking fifth overall hitting .278, as well as fourth in slugging percentage at .444. Stewart also leads the team in total extra base hits with 13 on eight doubles, one triple and four home runs. He also is second on the team in RBI with 23; total bases with 59, and tied for second in doubles with eight. Stewart is fifth on the team in games played with 37, and in starts with 33, with 31 starts in center field and two as designated hitter.

Throughout his time at MSU, despite not seeing the field much, Stewart said he stayed ready for his opportunity to play, and now is making the most of being prepared and focused.

"The biggest thing I think was trying to have is that confidence," Stewart said. "It's not easy along the way not playing a lot, but just trying to believe in myself and just knowing that there will be an opportunity and when it comes I need to be ready and make the most of it.

"I felt like when that came this year early on in the season I was able to just play a little more relaxed and just trust myself and trust that if I play as hard as I can and I stay relaxed I'll have some success. And if I don't, then I don't. And I'm going to be there to cheer on the next guy if he's the better option."

MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. praised his fifth-year senior's patience and effort throughout the past few seasons.

"I give him a lot of credit because it's not easy as a fifth-year. He's watched a lot of baseball. He earned his spot, and he's taken it and run with it," said Boss. "Joe was patient, he kept working hard to his credit. He's a great kid with a great attitude, and he worked hard every day in practice and really earned his opportunity.

"For whatever reason, this year, it just clicked, and sometimes that happens with guys."

Stewart's path to breaking into the line-up was not easy. It can be demoralizing to put in the work, but not see the results on the field. He even debated on coming back to MSU baseball for his fifth year.

"I'm not going to lie and say it was easy to not play a ton throughout the years," said Stewart. "Even for me going into my fifth year, there was definitely a conversation of things like, 'Is it a good idea? Should I play again this last season and take that redshirt, or should I graduate and get out of here?'

"Ultimately what it came down to is…It's Michigan State. I love being here. I did feel always along the way that I was capable and I felt that maybe if that opportunity came where I could finally see some consistent time that I would be able to really show what I can do. I think the biggest thing for me, I think the biggest change, is more of just kind of a mindset and really believing in myself."

Graham Sikes, MSU's assistant coach and recruiting coordinator saw Stewart shift his mindset and up his confidence.

"Mentally you have to manage the roller-coaster. For him it's just about getting in a good mindset," Sikes said. "He's always been talented. And now he's loosened up, gotten to that point of looseness where it's fun, and I think that's what happened."

Stewart has always been a good athlete and a hitter, but finding a consistent position in the field had been a struggle.

"I think probably the strongest thing for my game was always my ability to hit. But you can't really hit if you're not able to play a position all the time," said Stewart. "There was definitely an issue as far as trying to find a position I was comfortable at. Throughout my entire high school career, I was a catcher up until my senior year."

Thanks to Stewart's athleticism, he can affect the game in ways that won't always show up in a box score.

"He's always had good bat speed and he's always run well," said Sikes. "Even when he's not getting hits, he can still affect the game."

"He had a ground ball to shortstop with a guy on first and they got the lead out at second base and (Joe) beats out the backside of the double play. So there's two outs, but he's on base. There's a base hit, he goes first to third 'cause he uses his speed again, and then ends up scoring on a base hit," said Sikes.

Stewart is a food industry management major and already has a job lined up after school and his playing career concludes.

"I have some plans as far as for after college. I accepted a job with AT&T so I kind of got that out of the way and just kind of got to go into this last year towards graduation and towards this last season really just...it's weird. I've just approached it in a different way," said Stewart.

That different way has led to things clicking to make a memorable and successful senior season.

Stewart and the Spartans wrap up the 2021 with their final homestand, May 28-30, hosting Iowa in season-finale action.

The weekend series opens on Friday, May 28 in Friday Night Lights baseball style with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch. Game two of the weekend is on Saturday, May 29 in a 4 p.m. start time, nationally televised on Big Ten Network. The final game of the season is on Sunday, May 30 with a 1:05 p.m. first pitch.

Sunday is MSU's Senior Day, as the Spartans will honor their seven seniors: Sam Benschoter, Trevor Hopman, Bryce Kelley, Andrew Morrow, Jarret Olson, Bailey Peterson and Joe Stewart.

The weekend schedule is subject to change based on weather.

Along with any schedule updates, fans can follow the games with links for live stats, live audio (when available) and live streaming from Big Ten Network+ at MSUSpartans.com.

Players Mentioned

Sam Benschoter

Trevor Hopman

Bryce Kelley

Andrew Morrow

Jarret Olson

Bailey Peterson

Joe Stewart

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