MSU Baseball Feature: Bonded Together Like Peanut Butter & Jelly

Michigan State baseball fifth-year senior Jack Frank grew up in Cleveland, Ohio with his twin sister, Madison. He became accustomed to that kind of bond and dynamic, of having a close buddy around 24/7.

Little did he know that bond would replicate when he joined the Michigan State baseball team, as he gained something like a twin brother in teammate Dillon Kark.

"I grew up with a twin sister who was with me all the time, and now Dylan's been like my new twin," Frank said. "He's been that role of the person that's always by your side."

Fifth-year senior Kark now does nearly everything with Frank by his side. What began as a random roommate assignment from Spartan baseball head coach Jake Boss Jr. five years ago grew into a beautiful friendship.

"You never know what you're gonna get with random roommates," Frank said. "It's just been a really natural, easy progression. You kind of are forced into it, but luckily for us, it worked out and we get along great."

Frank and Kark attend practice together, as they still live together, and hang out together with the same friend group. Sometimes, they even drive to practice together. The pair are also starters together. Kark has been the starting third baseman, and Frank the starting right fielder for the past two years.

The only time these two aren't together is for class. Kark is pursuing a master's in strategic communications and Frank is studying for a master's in accounting.

"We'll get home, we'll make dinner, and then eat dinner in the same room, and then we'll walk upstairs, and when we're not doing homework–which we probably should be doing more of– we play Fortnite with each other," Kark said with a laugh. "It's awesome."

They've been doing this same routine all five years of college.

"For somebody to have one roommate for five years, it's super rare. I'm super thankful that's how it's worked out because not everybody gets that experience," Frank said. "So for our whole lives now, we'll have so many similar experiences that we'll be able to talk about and laugh about."

As time has passed, both on and off the diamond, their dynamic has shifted. Shared experiences and memories have all added up to form something that resembles a brotherhood.

"I have someone that's so alike to my personality and my values in life," Kark said. "For me, it's just really easy to go to him and talk to him about anything and he'll understand. He'll be honest with me."

The two of them may even be close to finishing each other's sentences.

"I could probably tell you exactly what he's gonna say or what he's thinking or what he's going to do in most situations because I've been around him so much," Frank said.

Frank and Kark have settled into their routine of baseball, friendship, and fun over the past five years. Though it's worked out for them, their time together on the Michigan State campus is quickly coming to an end. Frank earned his graduate certificate in accounting analytics in April and has plans to move to Chicago post-graduation and post-baseball.

"In a month from now, I'm going to be working and around all new people, and he's gonna be doing something else," Frank said. "So it is sad, it's hard. But I do know our friendship goes way beyond MSU, and it goes way beyond just baseball."

Many changes are in store for both Frank and Kark after they graduate. However, this might not be the last time these two are living together under the same roof.

"He said he was moving to Chicago for his job, and I was like, 'Alright, fine. I'll just come with you and continue to live with you,'" Kark said.

Looking back on where they began as freshmen, Frank and Kark have evolved as people, friends, and baseball players. The pair have been given a rare opportunity to enjoy this phase of life together, from beginning to end.

"I've had that chance to be with him as a roommate and a teammate. So seeing him grow into a great person on the field and off the field is kind of just what I appreciate the most about him and our friendship," Kark said.

Michigan State is home to over 50,000 students, but not many of them get a roommate story like this one. Frank and Kark don't plan on it coming to an end anytime soon.

"We'll definitely keep in touch," Frank said. "I believe that the bond that you have with somebody goes way beyond just if you're near them."

Frank, Kark and the Spartans are hosting Nebraska in a three-game B1G weekend series, that opened Thursday night and continues with game two of the weekend on Friday, May 17 will now start at 5 p.m. ET. The series finale and MSU's regular-season finale on Saturday, May 18 will now start at 12 p.m. ET.

Saturday is also MSU's Senior Day as the Spartans will honor Frank, Kark and their other senior players and managers in a pre-game ceremony. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to join in the celebration.

Fans can follow MSU baseball 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.

MSU Baseball Feature: Bonded Together Like Peanut Butter & Jelly

Players Mentioned

Jack Frank

Dillon Kark

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