Michigan State University Athletics
Wednesday, May 10
McLane Stadium at Kobs Field | East Lansing, Mich.
6:05 p.m.
Michigan State University
29-16
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Eastern Michigan
22-24
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10
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Eastern Michigan
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Michigan State
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11
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Photo by: MSU Baseball Social Squad
Spartans Edge Eagles On Vradenburg’s Walk-Off Wednesday
5/10/2023 11:28:00 PM | Baseball
Spartans collect 11-10, 10-inning Victory For MSU, marking 100th all-time win over in-state foe EMU.
EAST LANSING, Mich. –– Brock Vradenburg's walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning gave Michigan State baseball an 11-10 Victory for MSU over Eastern Michigan Wednesday night, on Educator Apprecation Night at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field.
Vradenburg, a junior infielder who is leading the Big Ten in average, and among the league leaders in almost every batting category, came to the plate with one out and the bases loaded. He lofted a ball to deep right center field, that was caught by EMU right fielder Logan Hugo, and redshirt-sophomore catcher Bryan Broecker darted in from third base after tagging up and scampered home to spark the Victory for MSU celebration with flashing lights at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field and Vradenburg's teammates swarming him in jubilation at midfield.
"Every win is a good win, and we had the right guy up in the right spot in the bottom of the 10th inning. We did a lot of good things in the ballgame tonight," Boss said. "I thought we were a little disappointed in a couple things that happened, but at the end of the day, when you walk out of here with a win, it's going to be a good night. We'll put this one away and get ready for Iowa this weekend."
The win snapped MSU's three-game losing skein overall, moving to 29-16 overall.
"We had a pretty rough last weekend, so coming into tonight, we just wanted to get some confidence going into this weekend at Iowa," Vradenburg said. "I thought the energy in the dugout was really good tonight, and I think we just kind of stayed within our approach at the plate."
EMU was dealt its third defeat in a row, sliding to 22-24 on the season.
Wednesday's win was the Spartans' fourth in a row over the Eagles, winning 10 of the last 13 meetings, and was MSU's 100th all-time win over EMU, now 100-61-1, including 67-32-1 in East Lansing. Under head coach Jake Boss Jr., MSU is 16-6 against EMU, including 9-4 in East Lansing. Boss is in his 15th year at Michigan State, after coaching one season at Eastern Michigan.
The Spartans scored their 11 runs on 11 hits, improving to 13-0 this season when posting double-digit hits and runs in the same game. The walk-off win was Michigan State's second walk-off win of the season, walking-off Western Carolina on March 10 at Greenville, winning 6-5 on Dillon Kark's inside-the-park walk-off home run. MSU also moved to 2-0 in extra-inning games this season, winning 7-6 in 11 innings at Notre Dame on April 11. Wednesday night was the Spartans' first 10-inning game since April 3, 2022 at Evansville, falling 5-4.
The Eagles posted 10 runs on 14 hits. Wednesday was just MSU's third win when getting out-hit by the opposition.
Junior infielder Mitch Jebb and redshirt-sophomore designated hitter Sam Busch were both 3-for-4, with Jebb knocking in three RBI and score two runs, also drawing two walks. Busch was 3-for-4 with one run scored. Junior infielder Trent Farquhar was 1-for-2 with three runs scored, after drawing four walks. Vradenburg finished 1-for-4 with two RBI, while junior outfielder Jack Frank was 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in the sixth inning that put MSU ahead, 10-6.
Junior infielder Dillon Kark was 1-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, senior outfielder Casey Mayes was 1-for-5 with an RBI, senior Sam Thompson had an RBI on a sac fly, and also scored a run after reaching base on a walk.
On the mound, junior Adam Berghorst started, going 3.0 IP, with three hits, two runs, two walks and six strikeouts, before turning the ball over to the bullpen. Sophomore Ryan Szczepaniak (0.0 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 0 K), redshirt-sophomore Dominic Pianto (3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K), junior Harrison Cook (2.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 2 K) bridged the gap to senior closer Wyatt Rush. The Spartan senior came on to open the top of the ninth, going 2.0 IP with just two hits and no runs and one strikeout to earn the win, improving to 4-0 on the season.
EMU reliever Nick Chittum took the loss after 2.2 IP, sliding to 3-5.
The Spartans got on the board in their first at bat as Farquhar fulfilled his leadoff hitter role to a T, knocking a double to left center. Jebb followed with an RBI single through the right side to drive Farquhar in for an early 1-0 Spartan advantage.
MSU's first lead of the night didn't last long, as EMU plated a run in the second and another in the third to go ahead, 2-1.
The Spartans retook the lead with a three-run third, again sparked by the 1-2 punch from Farquhar and Jebb leading off the frame, this time with a Farquhar walk, and Jebb followed with a double off the wall in right field. Jebb later scored on a sac fly by Vradenburg. Two batters later, Kark crushed a pitch into the trees beyond left field wall for his sixth HR of the season, putting the Green & White on top, 4-2.
Eastern Michigan countered with three runs of its own in the next at bat, on a two-run home run and a sac fly to regain the lead at 5-4 in the top of the fourth.
However, MSU quickly countered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth frame, as Jebb knocked a single through the left side, scoring Thompson who reached on a walk, preceding a walk to Farquhar. Two batters later, Farquhar scored on a wild pitch to put the home team Spartans back on top at 6-5.
After Kark was hit by a pitch to start off the fifth, Busch singled to move him over and Mayes doubled to right to bring in Kark and advance Busch to third. Two batters later, Thompson flew out to center for a sac fly, bringing Busch in to put MSU ahead, 8-5.
The Eagles got within 8-6 on a solo home run in the top of the sixth, before the Spartans tacked on two runs in the bottom of the sixth on Frank's two-run homer to deep center field for a 10-6 advantage. Frank's homer went 406 feet to straight-away center field and was Frank's seventh round-tripper of the season.
Eastern Michigan plated four in the visitor's half of the eighth to tie it up at 10-all and that remained the score for the remaining inning and a half, forcing extras.
EMU got its leadoff hitter on in the top of the 10th, but was erased from the basepaths on a 3-6-3 double play from Vradenburg, to Jebb at second and back to Vradenburg at first for the emotional inning-ending double play.
Broecker sparked the Spartan rally with one out, getting hit by a pit, then Farquhar battled Chittum to draw a walk. After both Broecker and Farquhar moved up a base on a wild pitch, Jebb also drew a walk to fill by bases full of Spartans and bring up Vradenburg for his walk-off heroics.
Michigan State has a quick turnaround, hitting the road on Thursday morning, for its final road trip of the regular-season, heading to Iowa City, Iowa for a three-game B1G weekend series at Iowa, Friday-Sunday, May 12-14. The series between the Spartans and Hawkeyes opens on Friday at 7:05 p.m. ET / 6:05 p.m. CT, before Saturday's middle game of the series at 3:05 p.m. ET / 2:05 p.m. CT and wrapping up on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. ET / 1:05 p.m. CT.
The Spartans then host its final non-conference contest, welcoming Central Michigan to East Lansing and McLane Stadium at Kobs File on Tuesday, May 16, before the regular-season finale, hosting Indiana, Thursday-Saturday, May 18-20. MSU's Senior Day is Saturday, May 20.
Michigan State's schedule is subject to change, stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates.
Vradenburg, a junior infielder who is leading the Big Ten in average, and among the league leaders in almost every batting category, came to the plate with one out and the bases loaded. He lofted a ball to deep right center field, that was caught by EMU right fielder Logan Hugo, and redshirt-sophomore catcher Bryan Broecker darted in from third base after tagging up and scampered home to spark the Victory for MSU celebration with flashing lights at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field and Vradenburg's teammates swarming him in jubilation at midfield.
"Every win is a good win, and we had the right guy up in the right spot in the bottom of the 10th inning. We did a lot of good things in the ballgame tonight," Boss said. "I thought we were a little disappointed in a couple things that happened, but at the end of the day, when you walk out of here with a win, it's going to be a good night. We'll put this one away and get ready for Iowa this weekend."
VICTORY FOR MSU!!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) May 11, 2023
Vradenburg's walk-off sac fly wins it for the Spartans!!!
Final score: Michigan State 11, Eastern Michigan 10 (10 innings)#VictoryForMSU | #SpartanStrong pic.twitter.com/BXhC3P4oGb
The win snapped MSU's three-game losing skein overall, moving to 29-16 overall.
"We had a pretty rough last weekend, so coming into tonight, we just wanted to get some confidence going into this weekend at Iowa," Vradenburg said. "I thought the energy in the dugout was really good tonight, and I think we just kind of stayed within our approach at the plate."
EMU was dealt its third defeat in a row, sliding to 22-24 on the season.
Wednesday's win was the Spartans' fourth in a row over the Eagles, winning 10 of the last 13 meetings, and was MSU's 100th all-time win over EMU, now 100-61-1, including 67-32-1 in East Lansing. Under head coach Jake Boss Jr., MSU is 16-6 against EMU, including 9-4 in East Lansing. Boss is in his 15th year at Michigan State, after coaching one season at Eastern Michigan.
The Spartans scored their 11 runs on 11 hits, improving to 13-0 this season when posting double-digit hits and runs in the same game. The walk-off win was Michigan State's second walk-off win of the season, walking-off Western Carolina on March 10 at Greenville, winning 6-5 on Dillon Kark's inside-the-park walk-off home run. MSU also moved to 2-0 in extra-inning games this season, winning 7-6 in 11 innings at Notre Dame on April 11. Wednesday night was the Spartans' first 10-inning game since April 3, 2022 at Evansville, falling 5-4.
The Eagles posted 10 runs on 14 hits. Wednesday was just MSU's third win when getting out-hit by the opposition.
Extremely honored to have Melissa Tallant, Elliott Daniels & Abby Johnson here to throw out the ceremonial first pitches for Educator Appreciation Night!! #GoGreen | #SpartanStrong | #EducatorAppreciationNight pic.twitter.com/577z0E4XWd
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) May 10, 2023
Junior infielder Mitch Jebb and redshirt-sophomore designated hitter Sam Busch were both 3-for-4, with Jebb knocking in three RBI and score two runs, also drawing two walks. Busch was 3-for-4 with one run scored. Junior infielder Trent Farquhar was 1-for-2 with three runs scored, after drawing four walks. Vradenburg finished 1-for-4 with two RBI, while junior outfielder Jack Frank was 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in the sixth inning that put MSU ahead, 10-6.
Junior infielder Dillon Kark was 1-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, senior outfielder Casey Mayes was 1-for-5 with an RBI, senior Sam Thompson had an RBI on a sac fly, and also scored a run after reaching base on a walk.
On the mound, junior Adam Berghorst started, going 3.0 IP, with three hits, two runs, two walks and six strikeouts, before turning the ball over to the bullpen. Sophomore Ryan Szczepaniak (0.0 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 0 K), redshirt-sophomore Dominic Pianto (3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K), junior Harrison Cook (2.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 2 K) bridged the gap to senior closer Wyatt Rush. The Spartan senior came on to open the top of the ninth, going 2.0 IP with just two hits and no runs and one strikeout to earn the win, improving to 4-0 on the season.
EMU reliever Nick Chittum took the loss after 2.2 IP, sliding to 3-5.
The Spartans got on the board in their first at bat as Farquhar fulfilled his leadoff hitter role to a T, knocking a double to left center. Jebb followed with an RBI single through the right side to drive Farquhar in for an early 1-0 Spartan advantage.
MSU's first lead of the night didn't last long, as EMU plated a run in the second and another in the third to go ahead, 2-1.
The Spartans retook the lead with a three-run third, again sparked by the 1-2 punch from Farquhar and Jebb leading off the frame, this time with a Farquhar walk, and Jebb followed with a double off the wall in right field. Jebb later scored on a sac fly by Vradenburg. Two batters later, Kark crushed a pitch into the trees beyond left field wall for his sixth HR of the season, putting the Green & White on top, 4-2.
Eastern Michigan countered with three runs of its own in the next at bat, on a two-run home run and a sac fly to regain the lead at 5-4 in the top of the fourth.
However, MSU quickly countered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth frame, as Jebb knocked a single through the left side, scoring Thompson who reached on a walk, preceding a walk to Farquhar. Two batters later, Farquhar scored on a wild pitch to put the home team Spartans back on top at 6-5.
After Kark was hit by a pitch to start off the fifth, Busch singled to move him over and Mayes doubled to right to bring in Kark and advance Busch to third. Two batters later, Thompson flew out to center for a sac fly, bringing Busch in to put MSU ahead, 8-5.
The Eagles got within 8-6 on a solo home run in the top of the sixth, before the Spartans tacked on two runs in the bottom of the sixth on Frank's two-run homer to deep center field for a 10-6 advantage. Frank's homer went 406 feet to straight-away center field and was Frank's seventh round-tripper of the season.
The Spartans took a 10-6 lead in the 6th on Jack Frank's 2-run #FrankJack...
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) May 11, 2023
Frank's HR went 406 feet w/ an exit velocity of 104 mph!!! #GoGreen | #SpartanStrong | @JackF_22 pic.twitter.com/E6gnNW5gW2
Eastern Michigan plated four in the visitor's half of the eighth to tie it up at 10-all and that remained the score for the remaining inning and a half, forcing extras.
EMU got its leadoff hitter on in the top of the 10th, but was erased from the basepaths on a 3-6-3 double play from Vradenburg, to Jebb at second and back to Vradenburg at first for the emotional inning-ending double play.
Mid 10th |
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) May 11, 2023
EMU 10
MSU 10
Eagles get one on, but wiped out by a 3-6-3 double play to end the inning!!
Ziegler to lead off B10th.#GoGreen | #SpartanStrong pic.twitter.com/42pplflgM6
Broecker sparked the Spartan rally with one out, getting hit by a pit, then Farquhar battled Chittum to draw a walk. After both Broecker and Farquhar moved up a base on a wild pitch, Jebb also drew a walk to fill by bases full of Spartans and bring up Vradenburg for his walk-off heroics.
Michigan State has a quick turnaround, hitting the road on Thursday morning, for its final road trip of the regular-season, heading to Iowa City, Iowa for a three-game B1G weekend series at Iowa, Friday-Sunday, May 12-14. The series between the Spartans and Hawkeyes opens on Friday at 7:05 p.m. ET / 6:05 p.m. CT, before Saturday's middle game of the series at 3:05 p.m. ET / 2:05 p.m. CT and wrapping up on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. ET / 1:05 p.m. CT.
The Spartans then host its final non-conference contest, welcoming Central Michigan to East Lansing and McLane Stadium at Kobs File on Tuesday, May 16, before the regular-season finale, hosting Indiana, Thursday-Saturday, May 18-20. MSU's Senior Day is Saturday, May 20.
Michigan State's schedule is subject to change, stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Rush, Wyatt (4-0)
L: CHITTUM, Nick (3-5)
Batting:
2B: MILLER, Glenn 1 ; HOPKINS, Taylor 1 ; TAYLOR, Cory 1 ; SCHROEDLE, Kyle 1
HR: HOPKINS, Taylor 1 ; DOLNEY, Aaron 1 ; MCRAE, Blake 1
RBI: KIRK, Matt 1 ; KROSS, Josh 1 ; HOPKINS, Taylor 4 ; DOLNEY, Aaron 2 ; MCRAE, Blake 1
SF: KIRK, Matt 1
Base Running:
RUNS: MILLER, Glenn 2 ; KRAFT, Darren 1 ; KROSS, Josh 1 ; HOPKINS, Taylor 1 ; HUGO, Logan 2 ; DOLNEY, Aaron 1 ; SCHROEDLE, Kyle 1 ; MCRAE, Blake 1
SB: HUGO, Logan 1 ; DOLNEY, Aaron 1 ; MCRAE, Blake 1
CS: TAYLOR, Cory 1
HBP: MILLER, Glenn 1 ; HUGO, Logan 1
Batting:
2B: Farquhar, Trent 1 ; Jebb, Mitch 1 ; Busch, Sam 1 ; Mayes, Casey 1
HR: Frank, Jack 1 ; Kark, Dillon 1
RBI: Jebb, Mitch 3 ; Vradenburg, Brock 2 ; Frank, Jack 2 ; Kark, Dillon 1 ; Mayes, Casey 1 ; Thompson, Sam 1
SF: Vradenburg, Brock 2 ; Thompson, Sam 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Farquhar, Trent 3 ; Jebb, Mitch 2 ; Frank, Jack 1 ; Kark, Dillon 2 ; Busch, Sam 1 ; Thompson, Sam 1 ; Broecker, Bryan 1
SB: Jebb, Mitch 1 ; Ziegler, Greg 1
CS: Jebb, Mitch 1 ; Ziegler, Greg 1
HBP: Kark, Dillon 1 ; Broecker, Bryan 1
Game Leaders
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1
RBI
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AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
2
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