Saturday, April 6
McLane Stadium at Kobs Field | East Lansing, Mich.
3:35 PM
Michigan State University
14-14
7
vs
6
Niagara
18-9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Niagara
0
0
2
4
0
0
0
0
0
6
9
0
Michigan State
0
0
3
3
0
1
0
0
X
7
9
2
Photo by: MSU Baseball Social Squad
Spartans Ground Purple Eagles, 7-6, Saturday
4/6/2024 7:10:00 PM | Baseball
MSU comes out on top in back-and-forth battle for fourth-straight win.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State baseball went back-and-forth with Niagara throughout the game, and when the dust settled, the Spartans emerged with a 7-6 Victory for MSU Saturday afternoon at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field.
The Spartans evened out their record to 14-14 with the win, including winning a season-high four straight games.
The Purple Eagles lost their second in a row after bringing an eight-game winning streak into town, and are now 18-9 on the season.
A total of 12 of the 13 runs were scored in the third and fourth innings, before the Spartans scored the go-ahead run in the sixth.
Going six innings, senior Nick Powers improved to 5-2 with the win, while graduate pitcher Aaron Mishoulam went 3.0 innings for his second save of the season.
"I thought it was a gutty performance today by our guys. I'm proud of it," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "Nick Powers hung in there, there were two rough innings there in the middle, but you know we bounced back and held them there, and gave our offense a chance. Every time they scored; we scored. Our offense took momentum back and again, I'm really proud of them. I thought a lot of guys played well, and we had a lot of good at bats up and down the lineup, and produced when we needed to."
The comeback victory was led by senior infielder Dillon Kark, who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored on the day. Freshman infielder Ryan McKay and redshirt-sophomore infielder Jacob Anderson both added two RBI. As a team, MSU made the most of its at bats scoring seven runs on nine hits.
Senior outfielder Jack Frank addded a stolen base in the first inning, for his 47th career stolen base. Frank moves into sole possession of No. 6 on MSU's career stolen base list, pulling away from a three-way tie with Steve Money (1991-94) and Steve Preston (1986-88).
"I think it was a good win today, especially since we got down multiple times and our offense was able to answer back and tie the game or get the lead," Kark said. "In the end we won, so it was just great to see the boys compete and answer back."
Niagara started the scoring with two runs in the third on three hits in the frame, including two doubles.
The MSU deficit didn't last long as they plated three runs in the home half of the stanza, on three hits of their own, including a two-run double by Anderson.
However, the Spartans' lead lasted as long their previous deficit, as the Purple Eagles regained the lead on a grand slam by Nate Milk for a 6-3 Niagara lead in the top of the fourth.
Yet again, Michigan State answered in its home half of the fourth with a three-spot to tie it up at 6-all. Seymour sparked the rally with a leadoff single and Lozier followed with a walk. After a Niagara pitching change, Kark cracked a double to right center that was lost in the sun by the NU outfield and Seymour scored. Two batters later, N.Williams walked and Lozier scored on a wild pitch on the play. McKay then followed with an RBI groundout to drive Kark in for the third run of the inning, tying the game at 6-6.
After a scoreless fifth frame, the Spartans took the lead in the sixth as Kark led off with a walk and was advanced to second on a sac bunt from Frank. That brought N.Williams to the plate and he smacked an RBI single to the right-center gap and Kark scampered around to score and give the MSU the lead.
Mishoulam came on and slammed the door on any Purple Eagle rally to secure the Victory for MSU.
The Spartans and Purple Eagles wrap up their weekend series with the finale on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
Fans can follow this weekend's action with "Tickets," "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com.
Michigan State's schedule is subject to change, stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates.
---------
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 are also on sale through the Spartan Ticket Office.
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.
The Spartans evened out their record to 14-14 with the win, including winning a season-high four straight games.
The Purple Eagles lost their second in a row after bringing an eight-game winning streak into town, and are now 18-9 on the season.
A total of 12 of the 13 runs were scored in the third and fourth innings, before the Spartans scored the go-ahead run in the sixth.
Going six innings, senior Nick Powers improved to 5-2 with the win, while graduate pitcher Aaron Mishoulam went 3.0 innings for his second save of the season.
"I thought it was a gutty performance today by our guys. I'm proud of it," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "Nick Powers hung in there, there were two rough innings there in the middle, but you know we bounced back and held them there, and gave our offense a chance. Every time they scored; we scored. Our offense took momentum back and again, I'm really proud of them. I thought a lot of guys played well, and we had a lot of good at bats up and down the lineup, and produced when we needed to."
The comeback victory was led by senior infielder Dillon Kark, who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored on the day. Freshman infielder Ryan McKay and redshirt-sophomore infielder Jacob Anderson both added two RBI. As a team, MSU made the most of its at bats scoring seven runs on nine hits.
Senior outfielder Jack Frank addded a stolen base in the first inning, for his 47th career stolen base. Frank moves into sole possession of No. 6 on MSU's career stolen base list, pulling away from a three-way tie with Steve Money (1991-94) and Steve Preston (1986-88).
"I think it was a good win today, especially since we got down multiple times and our offense was able to answer back and tie the game or get the lead," Kark said. "In the end we won, so it was just great to see the boys compete and answer back."
Niagara started the scoring with two runs in the third on three hits in the frame, including two doubles.
The MSU deficit didn't last long as they plated three runs in the home half of the stanza, on three hits of their own, including a two-run double by Anderson.
Jacob Anderson with a double to give the Spartans a 3-2 lead versus Niagara! #GoGreen | @jacobdanderson5 pic.twitter.com/fTi5RC2kMq
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) April 6, 2024
However, the Spartans' lead lasted as long their previous deficit, as the Purple Eagles regained the lead on a grand slam by Nate Milk for a 6-3 Niagara lead in the top of the fourth.
Yet again, Michigan State answered in its home half of the fourth with a three-spot to tie it up at 6-all. Seymour sparked the rally with a leadoff single and Lozier followed with a walk. After a Niagara pitching change, Kark cracked a double to right center that was lost in the sun by the NU outfield and Seymour scored. Two batters later, N.Williams walked and Lozier scored on a wild pitch on the play. McKay then followed with an RBI groundout to drive Kark in for the third run of the inning, tying the game at 6-6.
After a scoreless fifth frame, the Spartans took the lead in the sixth as Kark led off with a walk and was advanced to second on a sac bunt from Frank. That brought N.Williams to the plate and he smacked an RBI single to the right-center gap and Kark scampered around to score and give the MSU the lead.
Hit from Williams gets Kark across home plate giving the Spartans a 7-6 lead!#GoGreen | @karkdillon @nicklaswilliam1 pic.twitter.com/QtMJRYrXyv
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) April 6, 2024
Mishoulam came on and slammed the door on any Purple Eagle rally to secure the Victory for MSU.
VICTORY FOR MSU!!!!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) April 6, 2024
High fives and handshakes all around!!!
Final score:
Michigan State 7, Niagara 6
Spartans clinch the series and will go for the sweep Sunday at 1:05 pm!!#VictoryforMSU pic.twitter.com/aaHS4XmbPk
The Spartans and Purple Eagles wrap up their weekend series with the finale on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
Fans can follow this weekend's action with "Tickets," "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com.
Michigan State's schedule is subject to change, stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates.
---------
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 are also on sale through the Spartan Ticket Office.
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: Powers, Nick (5-2)
L: Minckler, Ryan (2-1)
S: Mishoulam, Aaron (2)
Batting:
2B: Groves, Nick 2 ; Desjardins, Brady 1 ; Milk, Nate 1
HR: Milk, Nate 1
RBI: Groves, Nick 1 ; Milk, Nate 5
Base Running:
RUNS: Monile, Nick 1 ; Kozar, Rees 1 ; Takayoshi, Tommy 2 ; Milk, Nate 2
HBP: Kozar, Rees 1
Batting:
2B: Kark, Dillon 1 ; Williams, Nick 1 ; Anderson, Jacob 1 ; Thompson, Sam 1
RBI: Kark, Dillon 1 ; Williams, Nick 1 ; McKay, Ryan 2 ; Anderson, Jacob 2
SH: Frank, Jack 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lozier, Landen 1 ; Kark, Dillon 2 ; Frank, Jack 1 ; Williams, Nick 1 ; Williams, Christian 1 ; Seymour, Randy 1
SB: Frank, Jack 1 ; Williams, Nick 1 ; Thompson, Sam 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
2
H
3
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ BaseballPursuit to Greatness | Spartans All-Access
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