Friday, March 15
McLane Stadium at Kobs Field | East Lansing, Mich.
3:35 PM
Michigan State University
6-9
11
vs
3
Evansville
8-9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Evansville
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
3
5
0
Michigan State
3
0
0
5
0
0
0
3
X
11
13
0
Photo by: MSU Baseball Social Squad
Spartans Post 11-3 Victory For MSU Over Evansville Friday In Home Opener
3/15/2024 9:09:00 PM | Baseball
Nick Williams hits first McLane Stadium at Kobs Field HR; Dzierwa tosses gem.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Behind Joseph Dzierwa's arm and several bats led by Nick Williams and Ryan McKay's, Michigan State baseball posted an 11-3 Victory for MSU Friday afternoon in the Spartans' home opener at a sun-drenched McLane Stadium at Kobs Field.
With the win, the Spartans have won 11 of their last 12 home openers and improved to 14-2 in their first home game of the season under head coach Jake Boss Jr. Friday's March 15 home-opener date, tied for 2018 for the earliest home opener in program history, and Friday's first pitch temperature of 54 degrees was the warmest home opener in at least the last 10 years.
MSU scored three runs in its first home at bat of the season for an early 3-0 lead after the first frame. Evansville got on the board in the third, before the Spartans broke the game open by hanging a five-spot on the board in the fourth. The Purple Aces scored a run in the eighth and ninth innings, sandwiching a three-run eighth inning by the Spartans.
"It was rally good for a home opener," Boss said. "I thought we played well, swung the bat well. I thought Joseph [Dzierwa] was outstanding on the mound. We stole some bases today and played good defense, really good all around, I thought. I think Evansville is a really good ball club. They've played a tough schedule. It's a veteran group and their offensive numbers are really good. I know we'll get a good effort out of them tomorrow. It's a good team over there and I thought we played them well today."
Dzierwa went a career-high 7.1 IP with eight strikeouts, scattering three hits and yielding just two runs. With the eight strikeouts, Dzierwa has fired at least six punchouts in all four outings this season, including three with eight or more.
"It was a pretty good game today," Dzierwa said. "Coach Vandy (MSU pitching coach Mark Van Ameyde) and I talked about hopefully getting me longer in the game so I think it was good for me. Some of my stuff wasn't the best but there's a lot to work on. But it felt pretty good today, nothing like playing at this place. I love it."
MSU rapped out 13 hits, with junior outfielder N.Williams hitting the first home run of the season at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field, with an opposite-field three-run shot into the Red Cedar River in right field in the fourth inning, part of MSU's five runs on seven hits in the frame. Freshman infielder Ryan McKay leading four Spartans with multiple hits going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run, while senior infielder Dillon Kark was 2-for-5 with two ribbies and a run scored. Junior designated hitter Christian Williams was 2-for-4, while scoring two runs and driving one in, and freshman outfielder Landen Lozier was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Senior outfielder Jack Frank was 1-for-4 with a run and RBI, N.Williams ended 1-for-5 with the three RBI and two runs scored, junior infielder Sam Busch was 1-for-3 with two runs scored and graduate catcher Sam Thompson was 1-for-4 with two RBI.
On the mound, junior reliever Noah Matheny came out of the bullpen in the eighth inning to take over for Dzierwa and went the final 1.2 IP, with one strikeout, two hits and a run allowed.
N.Williams is a first-year Spartan, transferring to MSU from Wabash Valley CC but his father is an MSU alum, and he's been a Spartan fan his whole life, so hitting his first round-tripper of the home ledger was an amazing feeling for him.
"It doesn't get better than this," N.Williams said. "I really don't have any words on what happened, but when I lay my head down tonight, I'm going to take a second and take a look back on what happened because it's pretty special. Since my dad went here, it was extra special. He got to make it to this game and hitting this here in front of our fans was really cool to see."
The N.Williams home run also made an impact with Coach Boss.
"That was a pretty cool moment for Nick. We've got a picture of him somewhere running around at our camp, I don't know how many years ago. He's been a Michigan State guy, really his whole life, so for him to hit a home run in the home opener is awesome," Boss said.
C.Williams got the Spartan offense going in the first inning with a single, two batters later, McKay roped a double down the left-field line to bring C.Williams in. Kark followed with two-run double of his own, trading places with McKay for the early 3-0 Spartan advantage.
Evansville got on the board with a run in the third on a solo home by Brodie Peart.
Busch ignited MSU's big fourth frame with a leadoff single. Four batters later, Frank singled to right to score Busch. C.Williams followed with an RBI single, driving in Lozier, who laced a single. That brought N.Williams to the dish and he deposited the pitch into the drink of the Red Cedar River over the wall in right for a three-run HR and MSU's fifth runs of the frame and an 8-1 lead.
The Purple Aces hit their second HR of the day with a solo homer by Kip Fougerousse to lead off the eighth to close to 8-2.
Michigan State tacked on three runs in the eighth on an RBI groundout by sophomore outfielder Jake Dresselhouse, before Thompson smacked a two-run single up the middle.
Evansville added a run in the top of the ninth off Matheny, before he induced a comebacker that he cleanly and smoothly fielded and flipped to Busch at first base to spark the Victory for MSU celebrations.
Michigan State and Evansville continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday at 3:35 p.m., while Sunday's first pitch is slated for a 1:05 p.m. start time.
Fans are reminded and encouraged to arrive early, as the MHSAA basketball tournament is going on all weekend at the Breslin Center and MSU hockey is hosting a Big Ten Tournament semi-final game on Saturday evening. Additionally, construction on highway 127 affects traffic around campus.
Fans can follow this weekend's action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com.
The weekend schedule is subject to continued change based on weather.
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For the first time ever, Michigan State baseball fans have the ability to purchase season tickets.
Season tickets packages are on sale through the Spartan Ticket Office. The MSU baseball season ticket package, which includes 24 home games at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field, is available for $50.
All ticket levels for seniors, adults and children are the same price. Admission remains free for all Michigan State students by showing their MSU ID at the entry gate.
The 2024 Spartan baseball season includes Big Ten match-ups against Rutgers, Penn State and Nebraska, along with regional clashes with Central Michigan, Oakland and Notre Dame, in addition to giving fans admission to all three home games of baseball Rivalry Week against Michigan.
Individual game tickets will go on sale later this spring.
Fans can contact the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information. A direct link to purchase season tickets is here.
With the win, the Spartans have won 11 of their last 12 home openers and improved to 14-2 in their first home game of the season under head coach Jake Boss Jr. Friday's March 15 home-opener date, tied for 2018 for the earliest home opener in program history, and Friday's first pitch temperature of 54 degrees was the warmest home opener in at least the last 10 years.
MSU scored three runs in its first home at bat of the season for an early 3-0 lead after the first frame. Evansville got on the board in the third, before the Spartans broke the game open by hanging a five-spot on the board in the fourth. The Purple Aces scored a run in the eighth and ninth innings, sandwiching a three-run eighth inning by the Spartans.
"It was rally good for a home opener," Boss said. "I thought we played well, swung the bat well. I thought Joseph [Dzierwa] was outstanding on the mound. We stole some bases today and played good defense, really good all around, I thought. I think Evansville is a really good ball club. They've played a tough schedule. It's a veteran group and their offensive numbers are really good. I know we'll get a good effort out of them tomorrow. It's a good team over there and I thought we played them well today."
Dzierwa went a career-high 7.1 IP with eight strikeouts, scattering three hits and yielding just two runs. With the eight strikeouts, Dzierwa has fired at least six punchouts in all four outings this season, including three with eight or more.
"It was a pretty good game today," Dzierwa said. "Coach Vandy (MSU pitching coach Mark Van Ameyde) and I talked about hopefully getting me longer in the game so I think it was good for me. Some of my stuff wasn't the best but there's a lot to work on. But it felt pretty good today, nothing like playing at this place. I love it."
MSU rapped out 13 hits, with junior outfielder N.Williams hitting the first home run of the season at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field, with an opposite-field three-run shot into the Red Cedar River in right field in the fourth inning, part of MSU's five runs on seven hits in the frame. Freshman infielder Ryan McKay leading four Spartans with multiple hits going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run, while senior infielder Dillon Kark was 2-for-5 with two ribbies and a run scored. Junior designated hitter Christian Williams was 2-for-4, while scoring two runs and driving one in, and freshman outfielder Landen Lozier was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Senior outfielder Jack Frank was 1-for-4 with a run and RBI, N.Williams ended 1-for-5 with the three RBI and two runs scored, junior infielder Sam Busch was 1-for-3 with two runs scored and graduate catcher Sam Thompson was 1-for-4 with two RBI.
On the mound, junior reliever Noah Matheny came out of the bullpen in the eighth inning to take over for Dzierwa and went the final 1.2 IP, with one strikeout, two hits and a run allowed.
N.Williams is a first-year Spartan, transferring to MSU from Wabash Valley CC but his father is an MSU alum, and he's been a Spartan fan his whole life, so hitting his first round-tripper of the home ledger was an amazing feeling for him.
"It doesn't get better than this," N.Williams said. "I really don't have any words on what happened, but when I lay my head down tonight, I'm going to take a second and take a look back on what happened because it's pretty special. Since my dad went here, it was extra special. He got to make it to this game and hitting this here in front of our fans was really cool to see."
The N.Williams home run also made an impact with Coach Boss.
"That was a pretty cool moment for Nick. We've got a picture of him somewhere running around at our camp, I don't know how many years ago. He's been a Michigan State guy, really his whole life, so for him to hit a home run in the home opener is awesome," Boss said.
C.Williams got the Spartan offense going in the first inning with a single, two batters later, McKay roped a double down the left-field line to bring C.Williams in. Kark followed with two-run double of his own, trading places with McKay for the early 3-0 Spartan advantage.
Evansville got on the board with a run in the third on a solo home by Brodie Peart.
Busch ignited MSU's big fourth frame with a leadoff single. Four batters later, Frank singled to right to score Busch. C.Williams followed with an RBI single, driving in Lozier, who laced a single. That brought N.Williams to the dish and he deposited the pitch into the drink of the Red Cedar River over the wall in right for a three-run HR and MSU's fifth runs of the frame and an 8-1 lead.
The Purple Aces hit their second HR of the day with a solo homer by Kip Fougerousse to lead off the eighth to close to 8-2.
Michigan State tacked on three runs in the eighth on an RBI groundout by sophomore outfielder Jake Dresselhouse, before Thompson smacked a two-run single up the middle.
Evansville added a run in the top of the ninth off Matheny, before he induced a comebacker that he cleanly and smoothly fielded and flipped to Busch at first base to spark the Victory for MSU celebrations.
Michigan State and Evansville continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday at 3:35 p.m., while Sunday's first pitch is slated for a 1:05 p.m. start time.
Fans are reminded and encouraged to arrive early, as the MHSAA basketball tournament is going on all weekend at the Breslin Center and MSU hockey is hosting a Big Ten Tournament semi-final game on Saturday evening. Additionally, construction on highway 127 affects traffic around campus.
Fans can follow this weekend's action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com.
The weekend schedule is subject to continued change based on weather.
---------
For the first time ever, Michigan State baseball fans have the ability to purchase season tickets.
Season tickets packages are on sale through the Spartan Ticket Office. The MSU baseball season ticket package, which includes 24 home games at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field, is available for $50.
All ticket levels for seniors, adults and children are the same price. Admission remains free for all Michigan State students by showing their MSU ID at the entry gate.
The 2024 Spartan baseball season includes Big Ten match-ups against Rutgers, Penn State and Nebraska, along with regional clashes with Central Michigan, Oakland and Notre Dame, in addition to giving fans admission to all three home games of baseball Rivalry Week against Michigan.
Individual game tickets will go on sale later this spring.
Fans can contact the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information. A direct link to purchase season tickets is here.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Dzierwa, Joseph (2-1)
L: Nick Smith (0-3)
Batting:
2B: Kip Fougerousse 1
HR: Kip Fougerousse 1 ; Brodie Peart 1
RBI: Kip Fougerousse 2 ; Brodie Peart 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ty Rumsey 1 ; Kip Fougerousse 1 ; Brodie Peart 1
HBP: Mark Shallenberger 1
Batting:
2B: McKay, Ryan 1 ; Kark, Dillon 1
HR: Williams, Nick 1
RBI: Frank, Jack 1 ; Williams, Christian 1 ; Williams, Nick 3 ; McKay, Ryan 1 ; Kark, Dillon 2 ; Dresselhouse, Jake 1 ; Thompson, Sam 2
SH: Seymour, Randy 1 ; Thompson, Sam 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Frank, Jack 1 ; Williams, Christian 2 ; Williams, Nick 2 ; McKay, Ryan 1 ; Kark, Dillon 1 ; Busch, Sam 2 ; Seymour, Randy 1 ; Lozier, Landen 1
SB: Frank, Jack 1 ; McKay, Ryan 1 ; Seymour, Randy 1
HBP: Frank, Jack 1 ; Williams, Christian 1 ; Seymour, Randy 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
1
H
3
RBI
1
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
OF/C
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballINF
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
C
/ BaseballC
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballPursuit to Greatness | Spartans All-Access
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