Sunday, March 17
McLane Stadium at Kobs Field | East Lansing, Mich.
1:05 PM
Michigan State University
7-10
6
vs
5
Evansville
9-10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Evansville
0
0
0
1
1
3
0
0
0
5
11
1
Michigan State
2
0
1
0
1
0
0
2
X
6
7
1
Photo by: MSU Baseball Social Squad
Spartans Win Series With A Snowy 6-5 Victory For MSU Over Evansville Sunday
3/17/2024 6:01:00 PM | Baseball
MSU battles Evansville, snow flurries and delays for hard-fought win.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State baseball battled Evansville and the snow in a 6-5 Victory for MSU at a snowy McLane Stadium at Kobs Field for a St. Patrick's Day triumph.Â
The Spartans won the series with the Purple Aces, 2-1, after winning Friday's MSU home opener, 11-3, before a 5-3, 11-inning loss Saturday afternoon.
MSU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first adding a run in the third, before Evansville got on the board with a run in the fourth and adding another in the fifth to close to 3-2. The Spartans added a run in the fifth for a 4-2 advantage, before the Purple Aces plated three runs in the sixth for a 5-4 lead. However, the Green & White rallied with two runs in the eighth for the tying and go-ahead runs.Â
"I'm really proud of our guys," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "I thought after a tough loss yesterday, we were ready to play early, we scored early and tacked another one on in the third to take the lead. That's a good ball club like we said over there, we knew they weren't going to quit. They took the lead and our guys could've gone one of two directions, but they really stayed the course and stayed in the ball game and scratched across two in the eighth. I thought the energy was great out of our dugout, I thought everybody really believed we were going to get it done and at the end of the day we did."
Snow started falling during pre-game warm-ups, continuing off and on throughout the game, intensifying enough to forced two snow delays, with the first in the top of the fourth for nearly five minutes, and one before the top of the ninth for over seven minutes.
"Well thankfully the delays weren't long. I thought the first one, it was a little too late, it was dangerous out there I felt like. When the ball went to left-center field and the centerfielder ran to right center, that's a problem. I don't think that pitch or that at bat should have never happened, but they stopped it at the right time the second time. Our guys are used to playing in weather and rain and things like that. So, it is what it is, when you play in the north it's part of it."
Freshman infielder Ryan McKay is a Michigan native and used to playing in the cold and snow.
"I don't think I've played in this kind of snow, but playing in the cold, it is what it is," McKay said. "You know your hands are cold, you've just gotta deal with it. Thankfully we've got heaters, so before going up to bat you use those to warm up your hands, and then you're fine."
MSU won despite getting out-hit, 11-7, with McKay going 2-for-4 with three RBI, while senior infielder Dillon Kark was 3-for-4 with two runs. Junior outfielder Nick Williams was 1-for-3 with a ribbie and two runs scored and senior outfielder Jack Frank was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Junior catcher Noah Bright drew two walks, the latter coming in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded for the go-ahead run, after McKay had tied it earlier in the inning on an RBI double to plate N.Williams.
"I'm really blessed that Coach Boss trusts me to put me in those opportunities, but also the older guys, they trust me and they help me with everything," McKay said. "Before my last at bat, Jack Frank was telling me all the pitches that he thinks he's going to throw me and that helps me a lot. To have Coach Boss and all the older guys' trust means a lot to me."
The Spartan defense was boosted by nifty plays all day, but none brighter than Frank's amazing catch in the second inning, snaring a line drive off the bat of Evansville's Kip Fougerousse, running up the small hill in right center and catching it right at the wall.
"I've been here for 16 years, and I think that's the best play I've ever seen an outfielder make here," Boss said. "He just kept going up the hill, at the wall, that was an unbelievable play. He's a really good player. He plays that hill as good as anybody we've ever had. I think that's the best play I've ever seen an outfielder make here."
On the mound, senior Nick Ferazzi made the first start of his Spartan career, going 5.0 IP with four strikeouts, scattering two hits while yielding two runs, one earned, and walking one.Â
Junior reliever Dominic Pianto picked up the win, going 2.1 IP with two Ks, while sophomore Tommy Szczepanski answered the bell for the second day in a row after pitching Saturday. Szczepanski's warm-up in the top of the ninth was delayed due to the second snow delay, but then got hot and melted any thoughts of an Aces' rally, inducing a groundout then chalking up back-to-back Ks to end the game and seal the Victory for MSU.
"I'm really happy for Nick Ferazzi making his first start today," Boss said. "I thought Nick was really good today. Tommy Szczepanski was kind of the hard-luck guy last night and for him to come on in the ninth shows a lot of character on his part. Overall, it was a good team win, we'll enjoy this one and get ready for our midweek game."
The Spartans got on the board in their first at bat for the second time this weekend with a pair of runs in the home half of the opening inning. Kark sparked the rally with a single up the middle and two batters later, N.Williams drew a walk, before McKay doubled to right center to plated both Kark and N.Williams.
In the third, Kark smacked a one-out double to left, and Frank followed with a triple to center. After the Aces pulled within 3-2 in the top of the fifth, Bright drew a leadoff walk in the home half of the fifth, and later came in to score on an Evansville error off the bat of N.Williams to go up 4-2. The Aces added three runs in the sixth to take the 5-4 advantage and that stayed the score until the eighth, when the Spartans tied it and forged ahead.
Â
MSU continues its four-game homestand to open the home portion of the 2024 schedule by playing Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday, March 20 in a 4:05 p.m. first pitch.
Fans can follow this week's action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com.Â
The schedule is subject to 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.Â
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.
Â
The Spartans won the series with the Purple Aces, 2-1, after winning Friday's MSU home opener, 11-3, before a 5-3, 11-inning loss Saturday afternoon.
MSU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first adding a run in the third, before Evansville got on the board with a run in the fourth and adding another in the fifth to close to 3-2. The Spartans added a run in the fifth for a 4-2 advantage, before the Purple Aces plated three runs in the sixth for a 5-4 lead. However, the Green & White rallied with two runs in the eighth for the tying and go-ahead runs.Â
"I'm really proud of our guys," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "I thought after a tough loss yesterday, we were ready to play early, we scored early and tacked another one on in the third to take the lead. That's a good ball club like we said over there, we knew they weren't going to quit. They took the lead and our guys could've gone one of two directions, but they really stayed the course and stayed in the ball game and scratched across two in the eighth. I thought the energy was great out of our dugout, I thought everybody really believed we were going to get it done and at the end of the day we did."
Snow started falling during pre-game warm-ups, continuing off and on throughout the game, intensifying enough to forced two snow delays, with the first in the top of the fourth for nearly five minutes, and one before the top of the ninth for over seven minutes.
"Well thankfully the delays weren't long. I thought the first one, it was a little too late, it was dangerous out there I felt like. When the ball went to left-center field and the centerfielder ran to right center, that's a problem. I don't think that pitch or that at bat should have never happened, but they stopped it at the right time the second time. Our guys are used to playing in weather and rain and things like that. So, it is what it is, when you play in the north it's part of it."
Freshman infielder Ryan McKay is a Michigan native and used to playing in the cold and snow.
"I don't think I've played in this kind of snow, but playing in the cold, it is what it is," McKay said. "You know your hands are cold, you've just gotta deal with it. Thankfully we've got heaters, so before going up to bat you use those to warm up your hands, and then you're fine."
MSU won despite getting out-hit, 11-7, with McKay going 2-for-4 with three RBI, while senior infielder Dillon Kark was 3-for-4 with two runs. Junior outfielder Nick Williams was 1-for-3 with a ribbie and two runs scored and senior outfielder Jack Frank was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Junior catcher Noah Bright drew two walks, the latter coming in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded for the go-ahead run, after McKay had tied it earlier in the inning on an RBI double to plate N.Williams.
"I'm really blessed that Coach Boss trusts me to put me in those opportunities, but also the older guys, they trust me and they help me with everything," McKay said. "Before my last at bat, Jack Frank was telling me all the pitches that he thinks he's going to throw me and that helps me a lot. To have Coach Boss and all the older guys' trust means a lot to me."
Ryan McKay ties it up with an RBI down the line!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) March 17, 2024
UE 5
MSU 5#GoGreen | @Ryanmckay51 pic.twitter.com/dPCulFNsn9
The Spartan defense was boosted by nifty plays all day, but none brighter than Frank's amazing catch in the second inning, snaring a line drive off the bat of Evansville's Kip Fougerousse, running up the small hill in right center and catching it right at the wall.
"I've been here for 16 years, and I think that's the best play I've ever seen an outfielder make here," Boss said. "He just kept going up the hill, at the wall, that was an unbelievable play. He's a really good player. He plays that hill as good as anybody we've ever had. I think that's the best play I've ever seen an outfielder make here."
Jack Frank makes a SWEEEEET #SCTop10 worthy catch at the wall!!#GoGreen | @ESPNAssignDesk | @JackF_22 pic.twitter.com/s416JgI0Tl
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) March 17, 2024
On the mound, senior Nick Ferazzi made the first start of his Spartan career, going 5.0 IP with four strikeouts, scattering two hits while yielding two runs, one earned, and walking one.Â
Junior reliever Dominic Pianto picked up the win, going 2.1 IP with two Ks, while sophomore Tommy Szczepanski answered the bell for the second day in a row after pitching Saturday. Szczepanski's warm-up in the top of the ninth was delayed due to the second snow delay, but then got hot and melted any thoughts of an Aces' rally, inducing a groundout then chalking up back-to-back Ks to end the game and seal the Victory for MSU.
VICTORY FOR MSU!!!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) March 17, 2024
High fives and handshakes all around as Szczepanski ends it with a strikeout!!
Final score:
Michigan State 6, Evansville 5#VictoryForMSU pic.twitter.com/EKGIgag1fk
"I'm really happy for Nick Ferazzi making his first start today," Boss said. "I thought Nick was really good today. Tommy Szczepanski was kind of the hard-luck guy last night and for him to come on in the ninth shows a lot of character on his part. Overall, it was a good team win, we'll enjoy this one and get ready for our midweek game."
The Spartans got on the board in their first at bat for the second time this weekend with a pair of runs in the home half of the opening inning. Kark sparked the rally with a single up the middle and two batters later, N.Williams drew a walk, before McKay doubled to right center to plated both Kark and N.Williams.
In the third, Kark smacked a one-out double to left, and Frank followed with a triple to center. After the Aces pulled within 3-2 in the top of the fifth, Bright drew a leadoff walk in the home half of the fifth, and later came in to score on an Evansville error off the bat of N.Williams to go up 4-2. The Aces added three runs in the sixth to take the 5-4 advantage and that stayed the score until the eighth, when the Spartans tied it and forged ahead.
Â
MSU continues its four-game homestand to open the home portion of the 2024 schedule by playing Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday, March 20 in a 4:05 p.m. first pitch.
Fans can follow this week's action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com.Â
The schedule is subject to 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.Â
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.
Â
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Pianto, Dominic (1-0)
L: Shane Harris (1-3)
S: Szczepanski, Tommy (2)
Batting:
2B: Simon Scherry 1
HR: Kip Fougerousse 1 ; Brendan Hord 1
RBI: Cal McGinnis 1 ; Kip Fougerousse 1 ; Brendan Hord 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Mark Shallenberger 1 ; Simon Scherry 1 ; Kip Fougerousse 1 ; Harrison Taubert 1 ; Brendan Hord 1
HBP: Brent Widder 1
Batting:
2B: Kark, Dillon 1 ; Williams, Nick 1 ; McKay, Ryan 2
3B: Frank, Jack 1
RBI: Frank, Jack 1 ; Williams, Nick 1 ; McKay, Ryan 3 ; Bright, Noah 1
SH: Lozier, Landen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kark, Dillon 2 ; Williams, Nick 2 ; McKay, Ryan 1 ; Bright, Noah 1
SB: Kark, Dillon 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
2
H
3
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
3
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
2
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
C
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballOF
/ BaseballINF
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballOF
/ BaseballPursuit to Greatness | Spartans All-Access
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