Friday, February 17
Sloan Park | Phoenix, Ariz.
6 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. MT
Michigan State University
1-0
15
vs
8
Michigan
1-1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Michigan
1
4
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
8
12
2
Michigan State
1
0
1
0
1
5
0
7
X
15
18
0
Photo by: Darryl Webb
Spartan Baseball Rallies For Emotional Comeback Win Over Michigan Friday In Season-Opener
2/17/2023 11:53:00 PM | Baseball
Michigan State starts off Desert Invitational with 15-8 Victory For MSU after being down 5-1 early.
Mesa, Arizona -- Michigan State baseball opened the 2023 season with an emotional, 15-8, Victory for MSU over Michigan in the 2023 Desert Invitational Friday evening at Sloan Park.
Friday was not only MSU's first game of the season, but also the team's first action after a mass shooting on the East Lansing campus on Monday, Feb. 13, when three students were killed and five were hospitalized. Michigan State University canceled classes this week following the deaths of the three students – juniors Arielle Anderson and Alexandria Verner and sophomore Brian Fraser.
Michigan State players wore "Spartan Strong" stickers on their helmets in a tribute, and Michigan also wore special Spartan stickers on their helmets, with a green heart and a Spartan head as support and tribute.
During warm-ups prior to the game, Michigan State and Michigan players, coaching staff and support staffs gathered behind home plate, exchanging handshakes and hugs, before taking a knee for a prayer, led by Phil Gillespie of MSU Athletes In Action. Before the National Anthem, a moment of silence was observed in tribute to honor and remember the victims and lives that were ultimately lost and those who continue to fight for theirs.
"I think today was important for our guys for a number of reasons, just to get out and compete and represent Michigan State is something that we're really proud to do so. I think first-and-foremost after a tough week, we really wanted to come out and represent Michigan State and the Spartan community in a positive way, and I'm just really proud of our guys, I think they did that," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "Getting together with Michigan's players and coaches was a very emotional thing, but I have a great deal of respect and admiration for (Michigan head coach) Tracy Smith, that was a very classy move from them, and our program greatly appreciates that.
"The game was almost secondary, I think, and it was up and down, our guys got behind early and they could have packed it in, but they showed a lot of character and just put together a really good win," Boss said. "A lot of guys hit lots of ball hard tonight. We made some pitches on the mound when we needed to, and again, a real character win for our guys. I thought the energy in the dugout was outstanding, and was really good from the first to the ninth inning, when we were up, when we were behind, and again, I think it shows the character and commitment of our guys and I'm proud of them. It's game one, it's always good to win game one of the season, and always good to win game one of the weekend, we've got two more on Sunday, so we'll have a good workout tomorrow and then get ready to go for Sunday's doubleheader."
One of the players who had a solid night was junior infielder Trent Farquhar, one of the Spartans' veteran leaders, on and off the field.
"If I have one word to describe it, it would be 'blessed.' It was evident today and that prayer before the game was probably the coolest moment I've ever been a part of, especially in the rivalry, to put differences aside and come together for the Lord and just what happened for Brian, Arielle and Alexandria, and the rest of Spartan community is just awesome," an emotional Farquhar said. "We always felt like we were in the game, we knew those three were right there with us the whole time, and they watched over us, protected everybody, and couldn't be more thankful for the outcome. Regardless of the outcome though, I pay a lot of respect to Michigan, that was a very classy move by them, we really, really appreciate and respect the coaching staff, their players for dabbing us up before the game, with hugs and stuff like that. So it meant a lot to me, especially being a kid from the state of Michigan, getting to see that rivalry come together. It was just awesome."
A large contingency of Spartan fans were in attendance, including family and friends of the players, along with a large number of the Arizona Spartans Alumni group, for spirited "Go Green! Go White!" cheers throughout the night at Sloan Park, the Spring Training facility of the Chicago Cubs.
In the game, Michigan, which was coming off a 6-2 win over Fresno State earlier in the day, jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the top of the second against MSU, before the Spartan comeback started with a run in the third and another in the home half of the fifth to close to 5-3. Michigan State then erupted for five runs in the sixth, bolstered by a three-run home run by junior infielder Dillon Kark for an 8-5 advantage. UM got a run back in the top of the seventh to close to 8-6.
The Wolverines threatened in the eighth, loading the bases with only one out, before senior relief pitcher Wyatt Rush came on and halted the UM rally with a pair of strikeouts, leaving the bases full of Wolverines and the score at 8-6 in the Spartans' favor.
MSU broke the game open by hanging a seven-spot on the scoreboard in the eighth, to extend its lead to 15-6. UM plated two runs in the top of the eighth for the final scoring of 15-8.
Farquhar went 3-for-6 with two RBI and three runs scored, and was part of a trio of Spartans with three hits apiece, as part of seven of the nine players in the MSU lineup posting multiple hits, as the Green & White finished with 18 hits on the night. Junior infielder Brock Vradenburg was 3-for-5 with two ribbies and two runs scored, while junior outfielder Jack Frank was 3-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored. Kark finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Junior infielder Mitch Jebb was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI, and knocked one of two Spartan triples on the night, joined by Vradenburg. Senior outfielder Casey Mayes was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI, while sophomore infielder Sam Busch was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
On the mound, junior starter Nick Powers rang up a pair of strikeouts in 1.1 innings, before giving way to freshman Joseph Dzierwa, who had a gem of a Spartan and collegiate debut, chalking up five strikeouts in 4.2 IP, holding UM to just three hits without a run, earning his first win. Junior reliever Harrison Cook had three Ks in 1.1 IP with one run on three hits, before Rush closed it down to pick up the save, going 1.2 IP with a pair of punchouts, yielding two runs on three hits.
Michigan State has an off day on Saturday, before continuing 2023 Major League Baseball Desert Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 19 with a split doubleheader, first against Fresno State at 3 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. MT before Michigan State wraps up tournament action by playing Arizona at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT, with both of Sunday's games being played at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the Spring Training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. The Spartans then play at Grand Canyon on Monday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. MT, at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark, in a game unaffiliated with the tournament. The Spartans' weekend schedule is subject to change.
Sunday's twinbill will streamed through MLB.com, while Monday's game at GCU will be streamed on ESPN+, with a subscription fee.
Fans can follow this weekend's action with "Watch Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com, with video streaming available for all four games during the extended weekend.
Friday was not only MSU's first game of the season, but also the team's first action after a mass shooting on the East Lansing campus on Monday, Feb. 13, when three students were killed and five were hospitalized. Michigan State University canceled classes this week following the deaths of the three students – juniors Arielle Anderson and Alexandria Verner and sophomore Brian Fraser.
Michigan State players wore "Spartan Strong" stickers on their helmets in a tribute, and Michigan also wore special Spartan stickers on their helmets, with a green heart and a Spartan head as support and tribute.
Today we open our 2023 season at the MLB Desert Invitational, playing & representing all Spartans everywhere.
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) February 17, 2023
We're playing to honor and remember the victims and lives that were ultimately lost and those who continue to fight for theirs.#SpartanStrong pic.twitter.com/xDyPhQH3qL
During warm-ups prior to the game, Michigan State and Michigan players, coaching staff and support staffs gathered behind home plate, exchanging handshakes and hugs, before taking a knee for a prayer, led by Phil Gillespie of MSU Athletes In Action. Before the National Anthem, a moment of silence was observed in tribute to honor and remember the victims and lives that were ultimately lost and those who continue to fight for theirs.
"I think today was important for our guys for a number of reasons, just to get out and compete and represent Michigan State is something that we're really proud to do so. I think first-and-foremost after a tough week, we really wanted to come out and represent Michigan State and the Spartan community in a positive way, and I'm just really proud of our guys, I think they did that," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "Getting together with Michigan's players and coaches was a very emotional thing, but I have a great deal of respect and admiration for (Michigan head coach) Tracy Smith, that was a very classy move from them, and our program greatly appreciates that.
"The game was almost secondary, I think, and it was up and down, our guys got behind early and they could have packed it in, but they showed a lot of character and just put together a really good win," Boss said. "A lot of guys hit lots of ball hard tonight. We made some pitches on the mound when we needed to, and again, a real character win for our guys. I thought the energy in the dugout was outstanding, and was really good from the first to the ninth inning, when we were up, when we were behind, and again, I think it shows the character and commitment of our guys and I'm proud of them. It's game one, it's always good to win game one of the season, and always good to win game one of the weekend, we've got two more on Sunday, so we'll have a good workout tomorrow and then get ready to go for Sunday's doubleheader."
One of the players who had a solid night was junior infielder Trent Farquhar, one of the Spartans' veteran leaders, on and off the field.
"If I have one word to describe it, it would be 'blessed.' It was evident today and that prayer before the game was probably the coolest moment I've ever been a part of, especially in the rivalry, to put differences aside and come together for the Lord and just what happened for Brian, Arielle and Alexandria, and the rest of Spartan community is just awesome," an emotional Farquhar said. "We always felt like we were in the game, we knew those three were right there with us the whole time, and they watched over us, protected everybody, and couldn't be more thankful for the outcome. Regardless of the outcome though, I pay a lot of respect to Michigan, that was a very classy move by them, we really, really appreciate and respect the coaching staff, their players for dabbing us up before the game, with hugs and stuff like that. So it meant a lot to me, especially being a kid from the state of Michigan, getting to see that rivalry come together. It was just awesome."
Thank you @umichbaseball!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) February 17, 2023
More than sports!!#SpartanStrong https://t.co/ZvUzVYh5Na
A large contingency of Spartan fans were in attendance, including family and friends of the players, along with a large number of the Arizona Spartans Alumni group, for spirited "Go Green! Go White!" cheers throughout the night at Sloan Park, the Spring Training facility of the Chicago Cubs.
In the game, Michigan, which was coming off a 6-2 win over Fresno State earlier in the day, jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the top of the second against MSU, before the Spartan comeback started with a run in the third and another in the home half of the fifth to close to 5-3. Michigan State then erupted for five runs in the sixth, bolstered by a three-run home run by junior infielder Dillon Kark for an 8-5 advantage. UM got a run back in the top of the seventh to close to 8-6.
The Wolverines threatened in the eighth, loading the bases with only one out, before senior relief pitcher Wyatt Rush came on and halted the UM rally with a pair of strikeouts, leaving the bases full of Wolverines and the score at 8-6 in the Spartans' favor.
MSU broke the game open by hanging a seven-spot on the scoreboard in the eighth, to extend its lead to 15-6. UM plated two runs in the top of the eighth for the final scoring of 15-8.
#SpartanStrong
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) February 18, 2023
For those we lost.
For those still fighting.
For Michigan State. pic.twitter.com/4zlA3rKZRb
Farquhar went 3-for-6 with two RBI and three runs scored, and was part of a trio of Spartans with three hits apiece, as part of seven of the nine players in the MSU lineup posting multiple hits, as the Green & White finished with 18 hits on the night. Junior infielder Brock Vradenburg was 3-for-5 with two ribbies and two runs scored, while junior outfielder Jack Frank was 3-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored. Kark finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Junior infielder Mitch Jebb was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI, and knocked one of two Spartan triples on the night, joined by Vradenburg. Senior outfielder Casey Mayes was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI, while sophomore infielder Sam Busch was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
On the mound, junior starter Nick Powers rang up a pair of strikeouts in 1.1 innings, before giving way to freshman Joseph Dzierwa, who had a gem of a Spartan and collegiate debut, chalking up five strikeouts in 4.2 IP, holding UM to just three hits without a run, earning his first win. Junior reliever Harrison Cook had three Ks in 1.1 IP with one run on three hits, before Rush closed it down to pick up the save, going 1.2 IP with a pair of punchouts, yielding two runs on three hits.
Michigan State has an off day on Saturday, before continuing 2023 Major League Baseball Desert Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 19 with a split doubleheader, first against Fresno State at 3 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. MT before Michigan State wraps up tournament action by playing Arizona at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT, with both of Sunday's games being played at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the Spring Training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. The Spartans then play at Grand Canyon on Monday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. MT, at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark, in a game unaffiliated with the tournament. The Spartans' weekend schedule is subject to change.
Sunday's twinbill will streamed through MLB.com, while Monday's game at GCU will be streamed on ESPN+, with a subscription fee.
Fans can follow this weekend's action with "Watch Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com, with video streaming available for all four games during the extended weekend.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Dzierwa, Joseph (1-0)
L: Avery Goldensoph (0-1)
S: Rush, Wyatt (1)
Batting:
2B: Cody Jefferis 2 ; Tito Flores 1 ; Greg Pace Jr 1
RBI: Cody Jefferis 3 ; Ted Burton 1 ; Joey Velazquez 1 ; Joe Longo 1 ; Camden Gasser 1
SF: Joey Velazquez 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cody Jefferis 2 ; Tito Flores 1 ; Joe Longo 1 ; Greg Pace Jr 1 ; Casey Buckley 1 ; Camden Gasser 2
SB: Cody Jefferis 1 ; Greg Pace Jr 1
HBP: Joe Longo 1 ; Casey Buckley 1
Batting:
2B: Farquhar, Trent 1 ; Jebb, Mitch 1 ; Frank, Jack 1
3B: Jebb, Mitch 1 ; Vradenburg, Brock 1
HR: Kark, Dillon 1
RBI: Farquhar, Trent 2 ; Broecker, Bryan 1 ; Jebb, Mitch 1 ; Vradenburg, Brock 2 ; Frank, Jack 3 ; Mayes, Casey 1 ; Kark, Dillon 3 ; Busch, Sam 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Farquhar, Trent 3 ; Broecker, Bryan 1 ; Jebb, Mitch 2 ; Vradenburg, Brock 2 ; Frank, Jack 1 ; Mayes, Casey 2 ; Kark, Dillon 2 ; Ziegler, Greg 1 ; Dresselhouse, Jake 1
SB: Frank, Jack 1
CS: Mayes, Casey 1
HBP: Busch, Sam 1 ; Dresselhouse, Jake 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
6
R
3
H
3
RBI
2
AB
5
R
2
H
3
RBI
2
AB
6
R
1
H
3
RBI
3
AB
5
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ BaseballPursuit to Greatness | Spartans All-Access
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