Friday, April 18
East Lansing, Mich.
3:32 PM
Michigan State University
21-15, 7-9
11
vs
4
Ohio State
9-25, 2-14
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5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Ohio State
0
0
0
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0
0
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Michigan State
1
0
0
2
2
2
1
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X
11
17
1
Photo by: MSU Baseball Social Squad
Spartans Blast Buckeyes, 11-4, Behind Nine Extra-Base Hits
4/18/2025 8:40:00 PM | Baseball
MSU knocks 17 hits, a season-high for a nine-inning game, including three HR; get shutout pitching outing.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State baseball belted out 17 hits, including three home runs, to blast the Buckeyes of Ohio State, 11-4, Friday afternoon at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium in the opener of a three-game Big Ten Conference series.
Friday's contest was originally slated for a 6:02 p.m. evening start, but inclement weather in the forecast for East Lansing moved the start time up to 3:32 p.m. and the teams played the last few innings in intermittent rain, before harder rain fell afterwards.
The win was MSU's fourth in a row, moving to 21-15 overall and 7-9 in B1G play. Ohio State suffered its seventh-straight league loss, falling to 9-25 overall and 2-14 in conference competition, with the two wins over league co-leader Oregon. With Friday's loss, OSU remains winless in road games at 0-13 overall and 0-10 in B1G away games.
With Friday's win, the Spartans have beaten the Buckeyes in six of the last eight and 11 of the last 16 meetings, closing OSU's overall lead to 146-104-1 in the all-time series that dates back to 1911 and is MSU's second-oldest Big Ten series, now with the 251 games behind Michigan with 336 games.
Michigan State's 17 hits were its most in a home game this season, as part of its most in a nine-inning game and second-most overall behind the season-high 18 hits from the 12-8, 11-inning Victory for MSU at Iowa on March 14. Of the 17 hits, nine of them were extra-base hits for the Spartans, with three home runs, one triple and five doubles. The nine extra-base hits is also MSU's most in a nine-inning game, and second-most overall behind 10 extra-base hits in the same Iowa game.
"We wanted to try and see the ball up in the strike zone, because we knew we would have a hard time being successful if we had to chase the ball down, and so I think for the most part we pretty much did that so it was a good day," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "We got the ball in the air, we got some guys with some juice at the plate, so it worked out for us today and I think the guys executed the plan for the most part all day long. We did strike out nine times so that's a little troubling, I guess but apart from that, really pleased with the offense. Base running early was bad, but it was much better late in the game, so all-in-all, a good night for us."
Senior infielder Sam Busch, sophomore outfielder Parker Picot and graduate catcher Caleb Berry belted home runs. Busch blasted a two-run homer into the Red Cedar River in the fifth, while Picot and Berry led off the sixth and eight innings, respectively, with solo homers.
Junior infielder Randy Seymour rapped out a career-high four hits, going 4-for-4 with three runs and an RBI. Seymour topped his previous career best of three hits, reached twice last season.
"It's huge," Boss said about production from the bottom half of the line-up. "When the bottom of the lineup is good you usually put up a big number. We needed those guys today. I think Randy had four hits today and came up in some big spots and that's what we need those guys to do. You can't be one dimensional and so we saw that today and it was much needed for sure."
Seymour was one of five Spartans with multiple hits, including the game's lone triple.
He was joined in the multi-hit category by Berry going 3-for-5, adding a double to go with his homer, notching two RBI and a run scored. Sophomore Ryan McKay went 3-for-4 with two doubles, tallying two runs scored to go with an RBI. McKay was one of eight Spartans with at least one hit, and one of seven different players with an RBI, as the Green & White got contributions from batters one through nine in the line-up.
"Yeah we haven't had one of those days for a while now, maybe a month it feels like, where everyone is hitting nonstop and that was really refreshing to see," McKay said. "We did what we were supposed to against Ohio State and we have a really good starter tomorrow in Joe (Joseph Dzierwa) so we did what we were supposed to do in a win."
Busch and senior designated hitter Noah Bright both had two hits, with Busch going 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Bright was 2-for-4 with a double, a pair of ribbies and a run scored.
Picot, in addition to senior outfielder Nick Williams and freshman infielder Dayton Murphy had a hit apiece, with Murphy knocking a double, and joining Picot in posting an RBI and a run each. Seymour and N.Williams both stole a base.
On the mound, redshirt-sophomore Tate Farquhar struck out a career-high five batters in 4.0 IP with one hit and two walks.
Farquhar turned the ball over to graduate reliever George Viebrock III, who went 2.0 IP without a hit or run. Viebrock picked up the win, earning his first as a Spartan. Graduate Tyler Horvath earned his team-leading sixth save of the season, going 3.0 IP, striking out three while scattering four runs on four hits.
Busch blasted his 10th HR of the season and matched his jersey number with his 24th of his career, moving up to tie for No. 11 on MSU's career list.
With his 10 HR this season, Busch is the second Spartan to blast double-digit homers in the last three seasons, joining former teammate Brock Vradenburg with 13 HR in 2023.
As they have been prone to do throughout this season, the Spartans got on the board in their first at bat. McKay knocked a 1-out double off the wall in right, and Berry followed with an RBI single up the middle to drive in McKay and give the Green & White and early 1-0 lead.
It was the fourth time in the last six games that the Spartans scored in the first inning, as part of the 16th time this season in the 36th games, averaging 1.2 runs per game in the first inning. MSU has now scored 44 runs in the first frame of its 246 total runs this season.
MSU tacked on two more runs in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth stanzas to open a 7-0 lead.
Busch singled to left center to start off the fourth, then later moved up to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a Seymour single to right. Bright then followed with a double down the left field line to plate Seymour for a 3-0 advantage.
McKay mirrored his first hit of the day with a double off the wall in right, and two batters later, Busch belted his two-run HR into the Red Cedar River, putting the Green & White ahead, 5-0.
Picot pelted the first pitch he saw to start off the sixth, clanking it off the scoreboard in left. Seymour followed with a single and later came in to score off the bat of freshman infielder Dayton Murphy, for a 7-0 lead.
OSU got on the board with a single run in the top of the seventh. Fans hadn't completed their stretching and returned to their seats before Berry re-gained a seven-run lead for the Spartans at 8-1.
The Buckeyes didn't go down quietly, as Matthew Graveline hit a three-run home run in the top of the eighth to pull OSU within, 8-4.
However, the Spartans quickly countered in the home half of the eighth, as Seymour led off with a triple to right center, bringing Bright to the plate and he knocked a single through the left side to drive him in. Murphy then followed with an opposite-field double down just inside the first base bag and down the line, bringing Bright around to score. Two batters later, McKay singled to right to plate Murphy to complete the Spartans' scoring with the third run of the frame and the 11th and final run of the game, securing the Victory for MSU.
MSU and OSU are slated to play at 3:30 p.m. again on Saturday, before wrapping up the series on Sunday at 1:02 p.m.
The Spartans' schedule is subject to further change, fans can stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates, along with follow action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links where available.
This weekend is part of the Spartans' nine-game homestand at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium, which wraps up on Tuesday, April 22 against Purdue Fort Wayne at 6:02 p.m.
Michigan State baseball tickets are available online at msuspartans.evenue.net, by contacting the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information.
Friday's contest was originally slated for a 6:02 p.m. evening start, but inclement weather in the forecast for East Lansing moved the start time up to 3:32 p.m. and the teams played the last few innings in intermittent rain, before harder rain fell afterwards.
The win was MSU's fourth in a row, moving to 21-15 overall and 7-9 in B1G play. Ohio State suffered its seventh-straight league loss, falling to 9-25 overall and 2-14 in conference competition, with the two wins over league co-leader Oregon. With Friday's loss, OSU remains winless in road games at 0-13 overall and 0-10 in B1G away games.
With Friday's win, the Spartans have beaten the Buckeyes in six of the last eight and 11 of the last 16 meetings, closing OSU's overall lead to 146-104-1 in the all-time series that dates back to 1911 and is MSU's second-oldest Big Ten series, now with the 251 games behind Michigan with 336 games.
Michigan State's 17 hits were its most in a home game this season, as part of its most in a nine-inning game and second-most overall behind the season-high 18 hits from the 12-8, 11-inning Victory for MSU at Iowa on March 14. Of the 17 hits, nine of them were extra-base hits for the Spartans, with three home runs, one triple and five doubles. The nine extra-base hits is also MSU's most in a nine-inning game, and second-most overall behind 10 extra-base hits in the same Iowa game.
"We wanted to try and see the ball up in the strike zone, because we knew we would have a hard time being successful if we had to chase the ball down, and so I think for the most part we pretty much did that so it was a good day," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "We got the ball in the air, we got some guys with some juice at the plate, so it worked out for us today and I think the guys executed the plan for the most part all day long. We did strike out nine times so that's a little troubling, I guess but apart from that, really pleased with the offense. Base running early was bad, but it was much better late in the game, so all-in-all, a good night for us."
Senior infielder Sam Busch, sophomore outfielder Parker Picot and graduate catcher Caleb Berry belted home runs. Busch blasted a two-run homer into the Red Cedar River in the fifth, while Picot and Berry led off the sixth and eight innings, respectively, with solo homers.
Kiss Kiss it goodbye😎
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) April 19, 2025
393 feet 102 velo!
OSU 0
MSU 2#GoGreen | @Samwbusch pic.twitter.com/1eQ5lRMy5Q
Junior infielder Randy Seymour rapped out a career-high four hits, going 4-for-4 with three runs and an RBI. Seymour topped his previous career best of three hits, reached twice last season.
"It's huge," Boss said about production from the bottom half of the line-up. "When the bottom of the lineup is good you usually put up a big number. We needed those guys today. I think Randy had four hits today and came up in some big spots and that's what we need those guys to do. You can't be one dimensional and so we saw that today and it was much needed for sure."
Seymour was one of five Spartans with multiple hits, including the game's lone triple.
He was joined in the multi-hit category by Berry going 3-for-5, adding a double to go with his homer, notching two RBI and a run scored. Sophomore Ryan McKay went 3-for-4 with two doubles, tallying two runs scored to go with an RBI. McKay was one of eight Spartans with at least one hit, and one of seven different players with an RBI, as the Green & White got contributions from batters one through nine in the line-up.
"Yeah we haven't had one of those days for a while now, maybe a month it feels like, where everyone is hitting nonstop and that was really refreshing to see," McKay said. "We did what we were supposed to against Ohio State and we have a really good starter tomorrow in Joe (Joseph Dzierwa) so we did what we were supposed to do in a win."
Busch and senior designated hitter Noah Bright both had two hits, with Busch going 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Bright was 2-for-4 with a double, a pair of ribbies and a run scored.
Picot, in addition to senior outfielder Nick Williams and freshman infielder Dayton Murphy had a hit apiece, with Murphy knocking a double, and joining Picot in posting an RBI and a run each. Seymour and N.Williams both stole a base.
On the mound, redshirt-sophomore Tate Farquhar struck out a career-high five batters in 4.0 IP with one hit and two walks.
Tate Farquhar is up to a career-high 5️⃣ Ks for @MSUBaseball 🔥#B1GBaseball on @BigTenPlus 💻 pic.twitter.com/cuymqnACCj
— Big Ten Baseball (@B1Gbaseball) April 18, 2025
Farquhar turned the ball over to graduate reliever George Viebrock III, who went 2.0 IP without a hit or run. Viebrock picked up the win, earning his first as a Spartan. Graduate Tyler Horvath earned his team-leading sixth save of the season, going 3.0 IP, striking out three while scattering four runs on four hits.
Busch blasted his 10th HR of the season and matched his jersey number with his 24th of his career, moving up to tie for No. 11 on MSU's career list.
With his 10 HR this season, Busch is the second Spartan to blast double-digit homers in the last three seasons, joining former teammate Brock Vradenburg with 13 HR in 2023.
Sam Busch belted a 433-foot #BuschBlast into the Red Cedar River for his team-leading 10th HR of the season!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) April 18, 2025
Busch matched his jersey number with his 24th career HR, tied for 11th on MSU's career HR list!!
OSU 0
MSU 5#GoGreen | @Samwbusch pic.twitter.com/2oP5nIRkoI
As they have been prone to do throughout this season, the Spartans got on the board in their first at bat. McKay knocked a 1-out double off the wall in right, and Berry followed with an RBI single up the middle to drive in McKay and give the Green & White and early 1-0 lead.
It was the fourth time in the last six games that the Spartans scored in the first inning, as part of the 16th time this season in the 36th games, averaging 1.2 runs per game in the first inning. MSU has now scored 44 runs in the first frame of its 246 total runs this season.
MSU tacked on two more runs in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth stanzas to open a 7-0 lead.
Busch singled to left center to start off the fourth, then later moved up to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a Seymour single to right. Bright then followed with a double down the left field line to plate Seymour for a 3-0 advantage.
McKay mirrored his first hit of the day with a double off the wall in right, and two batters later, Busch belted his two-run HR into the Red Cedar River, putting the Green & White ahead, 5-0.
Picot pelted the first pitch he saw to start off the sixth, clanking it off the scoreboard in left. Seymour followed with a single and later came in to score off the bat of freshman infielder Dayton Murphy, for a 7-0 lead.
Parker Picot puts another run on the board... literally!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) April 18, 2025
The sophomore OF pelts his 6th HR of season by hitting it off the scoreboard in LF!! It left his bat in a hurry w/ a 110-mph exit velo sent on a 385-foot adventure that ended with a clank!#GoGreen | @ParkerPicot pic.twitter.com/QwsSeeXiGt
OSU got on the board with a single run in the top of the seventh. Fans hadn't completed their stretching and returned to their seats before Berry re-gained a seven-run lead for the Spartans at 8-1.
The Buckeyes didn't go down quietly, as Matthew Graveline hit a three-run home run in the top of the eighth to pull OSU within, 8-4.
However, the Spartans quickly countered in the home half of the eighth, as Seymour led off with a triple to right center, bringing Bright to the plate and he knocked a single through the left side to drive him in. Murphy then followed with an opposite-field double down just inside the first base bag and down the line, bringing Bright around to score. Two batters later, McKay singled to right to plate Murphy to complete the Spartans' scoring with the third run of the frame and the 11th and final run of the game, securing the Victory for MSU.
VICTORY FOR MSU!!!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) April 18, 2025
High fives & handshakes alllll around!!
Final score from G1 of the 3-game @B1Gbaseball series:
Michigan State 11, Ohio State 4
Spartans rap out 17 hits, their 2nd-most of season, w/ 3 HRs on way to 4th-straight W!!#VictoryForMSU pic.twitter.com/hBI91qQ4Ph
MSU and OSU are slated to play at 3:30 p.m. again on Saturday, before wrapping up the series on Sunday at 1:02 p.m.
The Spartans' schedule is subject to further change, fans can stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates, along with follow action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links where available.
This weekend is part of the Spartans' nine-game homestand at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium, which wraps up on Tuesday, April 22 against Purdue Fort Wayne at 6:02 p.m.
Michigan State baseball tickets are available online at msuspartans.evenue.net, by contacting the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Viebrock III, George (1-0)
L: Erdmann, Drew (0-5)
S: Horvath, Tyler (6)
Batting:
2B: Graveline, Matthew 1
HR: Graveline, Matthew 1
RBI: Graveline, Matthew 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Lipsey, Trey 1 ; Pettorini, Tyler 1 ; Graveline, Matthew 2
Batting:
2B: McKay, Ryan 2 ; Berry, Caleb 1 ; Bright, Noah 1 ; Murphy, Dayton 1
3B: Seymour, Randy 1
HR: Berry, Caleb 1 ; Busch, Sam 1 ; Picot, Parker 1
RBI: McKay, Ryan 1 ; Berry, Caleb 2 ; Busch, Sam 2 ; Picot, Parker 1 ; Seymour, Randy 1 ; Bright, Noah 2 ; Murphy, Dayton 1
Base Running:
RUNS: McKay, Ryan 2 ; Berry, Caleb 1 ; Busch, Sam 2 ; Picot, Parker 1 ; Seymour, Randy 3 ; Bright, Noah 1 ; Murphy, Dayton 1
SB: Williams, Nick 1 ; Seymour, Randy 1
CS: Berry, Caleb 1
HBP: McKay, Ryan 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
3
H
4
RBI
1
AB
4
R
2
H
3
RBI
1
AB
5
R
1
H
3
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
C
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballPursuit to Greatness | Spartans All-Access
Monday, May 19
Jake Boss | Baseball Press Conference | April 17, 2025
Thursday, April 17
Jake Boss | Baseball Press Conference | Mar. 25 2025
Tuesday, March 25
Jake Boss | Baseball Press Conference | Mar. 11 2025
Tuesday, March 11