MSU Downed By Rutgers In Friday’s Series Opener

Friday, March 13

Bainton Field | Piscataway, N.J.

4 PM

Michigan State University

4-12, 4-12

Rutgers

10-7, 1-0

Michigan St.

Rutgers

Photo by: Jeremy Fleming

3/13/2026 8:59:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score RU 9, MSU 4 Box Score

Spartans topped by Scarlet Knights on cold, windy afternoon in Piscataway.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Michigan State baseball was downed by Rutgers Friday in the opening game of the three-game Big Ten Conference weekend series between the Spartans and Scarlet Knights at RU's Bainton Field.

The Scarlet Knights scored in their first at bat, plating a pair of runs in the home half of the first. The Spartans tied it up with two runs in the top of the third. Rutgers quickly broke the tie with four runs in the bottom of the third to open a 6-2 advantage. MSU closed to 6-4 with a two-run sixth stanza, but RU added a run in the seventh and two more in the eighth for the 9-4 final score.

Michigan State was making its first visit to Piscataway since 2023, and Friday's loss snapped MSU's two-game win streak in the series with Rutgers, but the Spartans have won five of the last eight and seven of the last 11 meetings, and now lead the all-time series, 21-11, overall, including 7-6 in Piscataway.

Temperature at Friday's first pitch had a real feel of 30 degrees, while conditions were cold and windy throughout the game, challenging fielders.

MSU scored its four runs on eight hits, including doubles from senior infielder Randy Seymour and Nick Williams, as both Williams and sophomore outfielder Khamaree Thomas tallied two hits apiece. Seymour was joined by sophomore outfielder Isaac Sturgess, sophomore infielder Dayton Murphy and freshman designated hitter Isaiah Domey with one hit each. Williams, Sturgess and Thomas each registered one RBI, while sophomore catcher Adam Broski, Seymour, Thomas and freshman infielder Cole Van Ameyde scored a run apiece.

Rutgers scored its nine runs on 11 hits, and took advantage of four Spartan fielding errors.

Sophomore starter Aidan Donovan threw the first 5.0 IP on the mound, scatting seven hits in yielding six runs, three earned, with one walk and three strikeouts. Junior Gannon Grundman (2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K), freshman Andrew Everson (0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K) and graduate JD Greeley (0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K) finished it out.

Rutgers got on the board in its first at bat, with one hit and capitalized on one MSU error to open an early 2-0 advantage.

The Spartans plated a pair of runs in the third, as Thomas led off with a single to left, then stole second, and later moved to third on a groundout by junior infielder Ryan McKay. Broski was up next and he struck out swinging, but the ball got away and he not only reached base, but scampered around to third on a throwing error on the play, and Thomas scored. Sturgess then followed with an RBI single to center to bring Broski in and tie the game at 2-all.

It didn't stay tied long, as the Scarlet Knights hung four runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third, with four runs on four hits and took advantage of two MSU errors, to open a 6-2 lead.

Seymour started off the Spartan seventh by smacking a double. Three batters later, Van Ameyde drew a walk, chasing RU starting pitcher Dallin Harrison. Thomas was the first MSU batter to face reliever Vincent Borghese, and he laced a single to center to score Seymour. Williams followed with a single through the left side to drive in Van Ameyde and pull Michigan State within 6-4.

That would be the closest the Spartans would get, as the Scarlet Knights added a run in the seventh and two more in the eighth for the 9-4 final score.

MSU and RU return to the diamond for game two of the series with a 2 p.m. start on Saturday, before concluding on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Next week, MSU makes the short trip to Ann Arbor on Wednesday, March 18 to play at Michigan in a non-conference midweek contest. First pitch from UM's Fisher Stadium is slated for 4 p.m.

The Spartans' home opener at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium is also their Big Ten Conference home opener, hosting Iowa on Friday, March 20 at 3:35 p.m., in the first of the three-game weekend series. Game two is on Saturday, March 21, with the series finale slated for Sunday, March 22, both with 3:35 p.m. start times.

MSU's schedule is subject to 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.

The Michigan State baseball season ticket package, which includes 24 home games at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium, and also single game 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, or fans can visit the MSU Ticket Office in person, located in 1855 Place.