Spartans Take Weekend Series Against Illinois

Sean Gagnier / Gang Green

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier 

The Spartans traveled to Illinois to take on the Fighting Illini this weekend and took two of three games from them; winning the first two contests before dropping the final game on Sunday. During the weekend, freshman Jimmy Pickens had a career series and earned himself conference honors.

Friday

Illinois pitching didn't stand a chance as the Spartans blasted 17 hits for 15 runs, recording eight of those runs against Illini starter Kevin Johnson in his 4.2 innings. Johnson, who had been tied for second in the Big Ten with seven wins, turned in a line that included eight allowed runs, seven earned runs on eight hits.

Spartan starter Tony Bucciferro stayed on the mound for 6.1 innings while giving up four runs on five hits and fanning five. He was tagged with the victory on the day, his fourth of the season and 24th of his career.

Pickens had a career day, going 3-for-5 with 6 RBI, a team and personal high. Highlights of Pickens' day were his two run double in the fifth and his bases-clearing triple in the sixth. Pickens' other RBI came on a single in the fourth that plated a runner.

After scoring four times in the fifth and five times in the sixth the Spartans held a ten-run, 13-3, lead over the Illini. Jared Hook would add another run on a solo home run in the seventh and Ryan Krill singled in the 15th run in the ninth inning.

Saturday

Yet another game went into extras and yet another time the Spartans came out on top - Michigan State improved its record to 7-1 in extra innings by beating the Illini 6-5 on Saturday. The victory secured the Spartans their first series win at Illinois since 2003.

Andrew Waszak tied a season high five strikeouts during his six innings of work; while on the mound he allowed eight hits and five runs, including a three-run home run in the first inning. Waszak calmed down after his shaky first inning and didn't allow another run until the fifth when the Illini scored two more to tie the game at five.

Jeff Kinley entered the game in the seventh in relief of Waszak and continued his dominance of late. Kinley threw 3.2 innings of shutout ball, adding to his scoreless streak that now sits at 26 innings. He was credited with the win, giving him a team-leading six victories on the season.

With the teams tied at five in the 10th, Jordan Keur drew a walk with one out. He then was able to get himself in scoring position by stealing second. Krill then hit a grounder to first base, but due to a bobble Keur was able to come around and score.

With Michigan State up 6-5, Kinley returned to the mound but didn't quite have it any more. An Illinois base-runner was able to get to second base on a two-base error by Pickens with one out. After fanning the next batter and walking the following one, Head Coach Jake Boss, Jr. turned to his closer Tony Wieber.

Runners on first and third and two outs, Wieber recorded his seventh save by getting the batter to pop out and close out the win for the Spartans.

Sunday

Michigan State wasn't able to complete the sweep over Illinois on Sunday, losing to the Illini, 8-6. The Spartans never led in the contest, but were able to tie things up three different times.

The see-saw match began when Illinois plated a run in the bottom of the second ahead of a Ryan Jones solo home run in the top of the third to tie the game at one. Illinois regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning by scoring an unearned run, but Pickens homered in the top of the fourth to tie the game at two all.

In the bottom of the fourth the Illini scored three more and racked up two more hits in the fifth before Spartan starter David Garner was pulled. Bryce Jenney came in as relief for Garner but allowed a sac-fly to extend the Illini lead to 6-2.

But three runs in the sixth and one in the seventh by the Spartans tied things at six. It was a three-run shot by John Martinez in the sixth that allowed the Spartans to get back into the game. Torsten Boss was able to cross the plate in the seventh after drawing a walk and eventually scoring on a wild pitch.

Jenney allowed a lead off single in the seventh before being relieved by Trey Popp. Popp allowed a sac-bunt, walked a batter and then gave up a single, loading the bases before being given the hook. Wieber was brought in to stop the Illinois rally but hit the first batter he faced. A sac-fly would tack on another run, giving the Illini their final 8-6 lead.

Big Ten Honors for Pickens

Pickens was named Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week on Monday for his performance in the weekend series against Illinois. He went .500 in the series (6-for-12), racked up seven RBI, scored four times and hit his sixth homer of the season.

Comedy in the locker room

The Spartans aren't all business, take this picture from catcher Joel Fisher. It shows him and fellow backstop Blaise Salter engaged in what Fisher referred to as "locker room chicken."

@J_Fish32 / Twitter

No. 13 Purdue Takes First Two Games From Spartans

MSU Baseball Facebook Page

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier 

The Spartan baseball team traveled to West Lafayette, Ind. to take on No. 13 Purdue in a three-game weekend series. First on the mound for the Spartans was Tony Bucciferro, the ace of the staff, and despite giving Michigan State a complete game in the first game of the series, the Spartans fell 6-2. On Saturday, the Spartans lost a 14-inning heart breaker to the Boilermakers, 4-3.

Friday

Michigan State went up against Purdue's ace, Joe Haase, who improved to 7-0 on the season, allowing just one run and maintaining his perfect record. Haase gave the Boilermakers seven innings of work while giving up six hits and fanning three. 

In Bucciferro's eight-inning outing he scattered eight Boilermaker hits, while allowing six runs, four earned. Purdue struck big in the fourth inning when RF Barrett Sarrato turned on a Bucciferro pitch and sent the ball over the fences for a grand slam - erasing the one-run lead the Spartans had and putting the Boilermakers up 4-1.

Two unearned Boilermaker runs came across in the seventh inning to extend their lead to 6-1. With the win Purdue improved it's nation-leading winning percentage to .846 and their record to 33-6. Michigan State failed to scratch across another run until the ninth inning when they loaded the bases with no outs.

With the bases loaded and no one out the Spartans bounced into a double play, which allowed a run to score but all but put the nail in the Spartans coffin. 

Jordan Keur improved his team-leading batting average to .406, by going 2-for-4 and being the only Spartan with more than one hit.

Saturday

The Spartans were in familiar territory on Saturday when they took the Purdue Boilermakers into 14 innings, but for the first time in seven attempts, Michigan State did not come out on top in the extra inning match-up, falling to Purdue, 4-3.

Both pitchers were on their game on Saturday - with a pitchers duel going on, the Spartans did not score until they were able to get three in the eighth inning. Torsten Boss cleared the bases with two outs in the top of the eighth for the Spartans when he took a pitch and drove it into the gap.

Andrew Waszak was on the mound for the Spartans and went 7.2 innings, exiting in the eighth inning having allowed just one run on the day. Waszak was in line for the win with closer Tony Wieber on the mound with a 0.94 ERA. But Wieber didn't seem to have it on Saturday.

With one out in the ninth, Wieber loaded the bases, but after getting a fly out for the second out of the inning, a clutch hit plated the two tying runs, tying the game a three and sending it into extras. The Spartans threatened but did not score in the 11th inning when they squandered a Ryan Jones single and Torsten Boss reaching on an error with no outs.

Purdue took home the win in the 14th when Tyler Spillner was able to reach first base on a fielding error by Jones. The next batter, Eric Charles, got on first on a throwing error by Boss. With men on first and second, a wild pitch moved them each up 90-ft. Cameron Perkins then singled to right field to score Spillner and win the game for the Boilermakers, 4-3.

Hoosiers Walk-Off Against Spartans, 3-2

MSU Baseball Facebook Page

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier 

It wasn't the ending the Spartans had envisioned, Tony Wieber threw a wild pitch to the plate that allowed Indiana's Michael Basil to hustle the 90 ft to home to score the game-winning run. With Basil's intelligent play the Hoosiers beat the Spartans 3-2 on Friday night.

The game was billed to be a pitchers duel and Michigan State's Tony Bucciferro and Indiana's Joey DeNato proved to live up to that hype. Bucciferro, who lead the Big Ten in strikeouts heading into the game, gave the Spartans seven innings on the mound while surrendering just four hits, two runs and fanning seven.

DeNato, not to be outdone, also turned in seven innings of work while giving up two runs on seven hits.

The Hoosiers would score first when they got a solo shot from Dillon Dooney in the fourth to give them a 1-0 lead. Michigan State was able to answer in the fifth when a Justin Scanlon groundout scored Blaise Salter who had reached base on a double earlier in the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth Indiana would again grab the lead before the Spartans were able to drive home Ryan Jones who doubled to lead off the sixth inning.

With the game tied at two in the ninth, Michigan State threatened but did not score. Bases loaded and one out for Jordan Keur, who lined out to left field, but it wasn't deep enough to allow Anthony Cheky to score. Cheky took off down the third base line but was thrown out at home to end the inning.

Indiana also would threaten with the bases loaded in the ninth, but they are able to convert on the opportunity. With the bases loaded and two outs, Bryce Jenney was lifted for Wieber. Wieber was able to get a foul tip on his first pitch, but his second got past John Martinez and allowed Basil to score from third.

Saturday's game was postponed due to weather and the two teams were scheduled to play a double-header on Sunday.

Spartans Top Wolverines 10-8 in 13 Innings

MSU Athletics

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier

It took 13 innings on Sunday but the Spartans topped the Wolverines in the final game of the season series by a score of 10-8. With the win Michigan State remained perfect in games that extended into extra innings, improving their record to 4-0 in games longer than nine innings.

The winning run came around in the top of the 13th when Jimmy Pickens hit an RBI double to right-center to bring home Justin Scanlon. Pickens then himself scored off an RBI single by John Martinez to center to give the Spartans the 10-8 advantage.

Michigan State headed to Ann Arbor on Sunday trying to avoid being swept by their rivals after having dropped games the previous two days in Ann Arbor and East Lansing.

With Michigan State down 8-7 and one out Justin Scanlon singled and advanced to second when Pickens was hit by a pitch. Jared Hook walked to load the bases with two outs and Jordan Keur came to the plate. He too was struck by a pitch that forced in Scanlon to tie the game. The Spartans were unable to capitalize any further on the loaded bases in the inning.

Tony Wieber was once again the story for the Spartans, giving his team 3.2 innings of scoreless ball leading to his first win of the season. He was handed the ball in the 10th and stranded a Wolverine runner at second base. Wieber did not allow a run during his time on the mound, but did allow Michigan to get at least one baserunner on in each of the innings he threw.

Wind played a major factor in the game on Sunday, with gusts effecting play all day. Michigan State benefited from the environmental factors in the 13th when a pop fly to second base by Scanlon, but the gusts pushed the ball out of the reach of Michigan 2B Kevin Krantz and allowed Scanlon to reach second base.

Pickens then put a charge into the first pitch he saw and scored Scanlon with a double. Martinez then singled Pickens in to give the Spartans an insurance run, extending the lead to 10-8 heading into the bottom of the 13th.

The four and a half hour game finally ended when Wieber got the Wolverines out in the bottom of the 13th. Michigan State's next game is Tuesday against Notre Dame at McLane Baseball Stadium in East Lansing at 3:05 p.m.

Wolverines Drop Spartans 4-0 in Ann Arbor

MSU Baseball Facebook

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier 

Michigan's Brandon Sinnery proved to be too much for the Spartans as he tossed 8.1 scoreless innings in the Wolverines 4-0 victory of the series opener with Michigan State in Ann Arbor on Friday night.

Michigan State has ace Tony Bucciferro on the mound and, as always, he gave them a good outing, throwing 7.2 innings while striking out seven. The loss was reminiscent of Bucciferro's first Big Ten outing this season against Ohio State. During his two starts against the Buckeyes and Wolverines Bucciferro has allowed just four runs but has not received any run support of his own.

The Wolverines had their own ace on the mound in Sinnery, who turned in a stellar performance. He was eventually relieved from the mound, but only after throwing 127 pitches in 8.1 innings of scoreless ball while fanning five, walking just one and scattering nine hits.

UM shortstop Dylan Delaney gave the Wolverines all the runs they would need in the first inning when he connected with a Bucciferro pitch in the bottom of the first and drove it over the left field wall for a solo home run.

Bucciferro held the score at 1-0 until Patrick Biondi launched a pitch over the right field wall for a home run and John Lorenz plated a runner with a single to left. Coley Crank drove a Bucciferro pitch down the left field line in the eighth for an RBI double, giving the Wolverines a 4-0 advantage.

Michigan State outhit Michigan nine to eight, but struggled with runners in scoring position, stranding nine men on base in the game and four in the eighth and ninth innings.

The Spartans threatened in the sixth inning when the top of the order clicked and combined for three straight singles to load the bases with two out. Michigan stymied the rally when Sinnery was able to get Tony Wieber to pop out to end the inning.

In the eighth the Spartans threatened once again, getting Jordan Keur and Torsten Boss on base on back to back singles. But with the runners on and two out the Spartans were unable to cash in on the scoring opportunity.

Michigan State gave one last effort with one out in the ninth when they loaded the bases. But a Jared Hook grounder that was turned for a double play ended the rally and the game for the Spartans.

The Michigan victory is their first in their last four opportunities, with the losing skid dating back to the 2010 season. The series shifts to McLane Baseball Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday before closing out back in Ann Arbor on Sunday.

Spartans Roll In Yspilanti, Beat Eastern Michigan 6-1

MSU Baseball Facebook

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier
 
The Spartans took a ride to Ypsilanti, Mich. on Wednesday to take on Eastern Michigan where they beat the Eagles 6-1 to improve to 18-8 on the season. With the win the Spartans have claimed victory in 14 of their last 16 games.

Wednesday's game looked a lot like the Spartans last series with Ohio State with the game being tied at one until the fifth inning. The Spartans exploded in the sixth inning for five runs to put them over the top of the Eagles.

Jordan Keur got things going in the sixth by drawing a leadoff walk before Tony Wieber was hit by a pitch to give the Spartans two men on with no one out in the sixth. Joel Fisher drove in Keur with an RBI single to left. Ryan Krill and John Martinez kept things going with back-to-back singles with Martinez's single scoring Wieber to extend the Spartans lead to 3-1.

Jimmy Pickens grounded out but was able to drive in Fisher making it 4-1. Ryan Jones then continued his hot streak and launched a two-run single to center. With the score sitting at 6-1 the Spartans bullpen shut down Eastern Michigan and finished out the game.

Mick VanVossen, making his second career start, gave the Spartans four innings of four hit baseball, but once again did not earn himself a decision. Wednesday's start was a good bounce back for VanVossen who was coming of a 4.1 inning, five run outing against Central Michigan in his first start.

Trey Popp again took the ball in relief for Michigan State in the fifth. Popp continued his scoreless streak by throwing two scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth and earned his second win of the season. Bryce Jenney came in for the Spartans in the seventh and eighth, and kept the Eagles off the scoreboard.

David Garner closed out the game for Michigan State in the ninth, retiring the Eagles in order.

Spartan pitching held Eastern Michigan to just six hits on the day while collecting nine hits of their own.

Spartans Score 8 In First En Route to 10-5 Victory over Buckeyes

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier
 
The Spartans took the rubber game of their series with Ohio State on Monday with an eight-run first inning en route to a 10-5 victory. Michigan State's victory was their 13th in their last 15 and seventh of eight at McLane Baseball Stadium this season.

Monday's game was the opposite of the first two of the series which were pitchers duels, on Monday the two teams racked up 11 runs and eight hits. Ohio State got out in front of the Spartans early with a three run first inning before Michigan State answered with eight of their own in the bottom of the first.

During their eight-run first the Spartans sent 12 men to the plate, racked up five hits and knocked Buckeye starter Brett McKinney out of the game. Tony Wieber lead the rally in the first when he sent a single up the middle that scored two.

With two runners in and Wieber on base Joel Fisher hit a frozen rope down the left field line that scored Wieber to tie the game at three. Ryan Krill then hit a sacrifice fly to center field that plated Fisher before Ryan Jones got his second hit of the inning that scored another two runs.With the hit Jones knocked McKinney out of the game.

Ohio State turned to John Kuchno in relief - his first batter was Jordan Keur, who promptly sent a double down the left field line to bring home another two runs to increase the Spartans lead to 8-3.

On the mound for the Spartans was Mike Theodore, who despite being knocked around in the first, bounced back allowing one run in the second before retiring nine consecutive batters. However, he was unable to get out of the fifth inning. Coach Jake Boss, Jr. took the ball from Theodore after 4.2 innings and handed it off to Jeff Kinley with the bases loaded and two outs.

Kinley proved the trust his coach had in him was well placed by getting out of the bases loaded jam with a flyout and providing the Spartans with 4.1 innings of scoreless, two hit work. During his time on the mound Kinley recorded a career-high six strikeouts and earned his fourth win of the season. Kinley has been on high of late, not allowing an earned run in his last four appearances.

In the bottom of the eighth Torsten Boss launched a one-out triple before being plated on a Wieber double to extend the Spartans lead to 10-5. The victory gives the Spartans their first series win over Ohio State since 2007. 

Tony Wieber Drives Home Winner and Sets Record as Spartans Top Buckeyes, 2-1

Sean Gagnier / Gang Green

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier 

The Spartans topped the Buckeyes 2-1 in a pitchers duel at McLane Baseball Stadium on Sunday with Tony Wieber delivering the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh and then setting the Michigan State all-time saves record in the ninth.

Andrew Waszak took the mound for the Spartans against the Buckeyes and tossed eight innings of two hit ball. He allowed just one run and was credited with his third win of the season to push his record to 3-1.

The only run that Waszak allowed in the game came in the second when Ohio State's David Corna drove a ball to right field for a double before being sacrificed to third and coming home on a groundout tying the game at one. Not only was the second the only time the Buckeyes would score it was the only inning in which they would get a hit. Despite Waszak allowing three more baserunners to reach, on walks, they failed to come home and one was even picked off first.

Michigan State took the lead early with Ryan Jones leading off the first with a single before stealing second and moving to third on a groundout. Joel Fisher brought him home with a two-out single to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead at the time.

The Spartans racked up nine hits on Buckeye pitching, even getting runners on first and third in the sixth before an attempted squeeze play cut Fisher down at the plate.

In the seventh the Spartans got to Ohio State starter Brian King for their second run of the game when Jones hit a leadoff single to left. King then attempted to pick Jones off first but short armed the ball which sailed over the first baseman and into the open bullpen. By the time the Buckeyes got the ball back to the infield Jones had advanced to third.

The next two Spartans grounded out leaving Jones on third with two outs, then Wieber came to the plate and laced a hit through the shortstop-third base hole to score Jones and give Michigan State the 2-1 lead.

Starter Waszak threw another inning before handing the ball over to Spartan closer Wieber for a chance to break the all-time Michigan State saves record. Wieber did just that, his first batter flew out to left. Then he got the next to pop up to the catcher, Fisher, who was unable to hold onto the ball. He then hit the batter but erased his mistake with a 1-6-3 double play to close the game.

The save was Wieber's 15th of his career and sixth of the 2012 season. He passed Brad Lamont's previous school record of 14 saves set from 1987-90.  

Buckeyes Beat Spartans 1-0 in Big Ten Opener

MSU Athletics

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier

The Ohio State Buckeyes edged out a hard fought victory over the Spartans in the Big Ten Opener on Saturday 1-0. It turned into a pitchers duel with both pitchers playing exceedingly well, but the Buckeyes were able to get to the Spartans relief pitching late for the win.

Spartans starter Tony Bucciferro tossed eight scoreless innings while fanning nine and ultimately allowing just two hits. The Buckeyes broke up Bucciferro's no-hit bid in the seventh. But that performance wasn't good enough to beat Buckeye's starter Jaron Long who threw a complete-game, allowing only five hits.

Bucciferro had to be given the hook after the eighth inning as his pitch count was at 122, Head Coach Jake Boss, Jr. turned to David Garner in the ninth to keep things knotted at zero. Ohio State had other ideas however and scored the game-winning run in the top of the ninth.

Garner walked the first two batters he faced and was lifted for reliever Trey Popp. Popp lasted just one batter after Kirby Pellant sacrificed the runners to second and third. Coach Boss then turned to his closer to get his team out of the jam. Tony Wieber faced off against David Corna, and Corna won. Corna drove a 2-1 pitch to right field that brought home the game-winning run.

Wieber was able to stop the bleeding to just one run and strand Buckeyes on first and third, but the one run was all Ohio State would need to top the Spartans on Saturday.

Michigan State still had a chance in the bottom of the ninth when Andrew Cheky drew a leadoff walk - the only walk allowed by Long all game. However, Cheky got greedy and was thrown out attempting to steal second base for the first out of the inning. With the bases clear Ryan Jones hit a single but Jordan Keur ended the game by hitting into a double play.

Saturday's game was a classic pitchers duel with the Buckeyes collecting just three hits on the day and the Spartans only amassing five. Bucciferro has yet to allow a runner to score in his two outings at McLane Baseball Stadium, but has yet to earn a decision at home. No earned runs have been scored against Bucciferro since the first inning of the Spartans game against Cincinnati on March 16th.

  

Spartans Take Home Opener Against Oakland

Photo from Sean Gagnier

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier

Tony Bucciferro toed the slab at McLane Baseball Stadium at Kobs Field for the first time this season and he refused to give up an earned run to the Golden Grizzlies of Oakland. The Spartans ace took the ball from Coach Jake Boss Jr. and went seven solid innings in a 2-1 Spartans win.

Oakland was able to plate their only runner of the game in the first inning when Tim Ryan reached base on a throwing error by Justin Scanlon. From there the Grizzlies showed how aggressive they play ball as Ryan stole second followed quickly by another swipe of third. Aaron Cieslak then singled Ryan in, an unearned run, before himself stealing second. Bucciferro was then able to get Spencer Marentette to ground out to end the inning.

Michigan State was unable to get a runner home until the third when Jared Hook hit a lead off double to center ahead of a Anthony Cheky sacrifice bunt to move him to third. With Hook on third Ryan Jones flew out to center to allow Hook to tag and score.

Bucciferro took advantage of the aggressive Oakland team, picking two runners off first base during his seven innings of work. During his time on the mound Bucciferro allowed seven hits, even pitching out of a bases loaded one out jam in the second, while walking two and fanning four.

Jeff Kinley entered the game in relief of Bucciferro in the eighth and retired Oakland without allowing a hit while walking one. Tony Wieber, the designated hitter for the game, drove in Jordan Keur on a double to left. Keur reached base on a walk before being plated by Wieber. Jimmy Pickens then struck out looking before Kevin Goergen grounded out to third.

In the ninth Coach Boss turned to David Garner who walked one and retired one before being hit by a throw from catcher John Martinez.

With an Oakland player on first he took off for second and Martinez rose and fired towards second base to try to catch him stealing, but instead caught Garner square in the back causing him to double over. He attempted to get back on the mound but was unable to which meant that Tony Wieber took over for the last 2/3 of the inning.

Wieber faced two batters in his time in the ninth, he struck one out looking before getting Todd Dunham to pop out to third to end the game.

Spartans Sweep Cincinnati Before Homestand

From the Lansing State Journal

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier
 
Saturday, Mar. 17   Spartans v. Cincinnati        Game 2 of 3

Last week the Spartans endured a 16-inning marathon of a game, started by Andrew Waszak, who went seven of those innings, and beat Seton Hall. On Saturday, Waszak was once again on the mound and the Spartans game against the Cincinnati Bearcats extended all the way to the 14th inning where John Martinez drove in the winning run to give the Spartans the 5-4 victory.

After being swept in College Station, Tex. in Feb. the Spartans have won five of their last six games and with their latest extra-innings win improve to 3-0 in extra inning games on the season.

Waszak again went seven innings on Saturday, giving up two runs on five hits while fanning four Bearcats. It was another quality start for the Spartans No. 2 pitcher who now boasts a 1.34 ERA on the season.

Michigan State was leading 4-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth and with their shutdown closer Tony Wieber toeing the rubber the Spartans thought they were in the clear. Wieber however struggled in his outing and the Bearcats were able to scratch two runs across off the pitcher who hadn't allowed a run in his last seven appearances.

With the game tied at four the Spartans called on Bryce Jenney out of the bullpen to keep the Bearcats from rallying in extras - he did just that. Jenney tossed three scoreless and handed the ball to the eventual winning pitcher Ryan Martin, his first career win.


The Bearcats threatened but did not score off Martin in the 13th. Martin allowed a single which due to an error and a flyout placed a runner on third with two outs, but Martin was able to get the next batter to pop out.

Torsten Boss reached base in the 14th when the Cincinnati shortstop bobbled the ball and allowed him to reach first on an error on a fielder's choice. With one out Jordan Keur bunted Boss over to second where he was able to score off a Martinez single up the middle.

Sunday, Mar. 18     Spartans v. Cincinnati    Game 3 of 3

The Spartans came out swinging on Sunday, compiling 16 hits off Cincinnati pitching while scoring nine runs in a 9-4 victory.With the win the Spartans have won the last six of seven and completed a sweep of the Bearcats.

Mike Theodore made his third start of the season for the Spartans but was still looking for his first win despite having allowed just one earned run and boasting a 0.89 ERA. Theodore had not enjoyed much run support in his previous starts, but Sunday was different.

Michigan State was able to plate five runs in the first two innings and give Theodore the support he needed. Theodore allowed two runs off six hits on the day and came home with his first victory as a Spartan.

John Martinez continued his hot streak and drove in another RBI in the seventh to give the Spartans a 7-2 lead before Jordan Keur singled in another in the eighth. With the score at 8-2 Jimmy Pickens drew a bases loaded walk later in the eighth to drive the score to 9-2.

Sunday was the first collegiate appearance for Mick VanVossen, drafted in 2011 by the Texas Rangers, when he relieved Theodore in the sixth inning. In his 2.2 innings of work VanVossen allowed just one run on four hits while fanning and walking two apiece.

The sweep of Cincinnati was the 11th sweep of a series for the Spartans under Coach Jake Boss Jr., which continues to allow Boss to add to the school record in that category.

Bucciferro Shines as Spartans Down Bearcats 4-3

Photo from Michigan State Baseball Facebook Page

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier
 
It may have taken a career game by Tony Bucciferro but the Spartans went into Cincinnati and beat the Bearcats 4-3 on Friday. Bucciferro, the Spartans right-handed ace, fanned a career-high 10 batters while pitching his way to his 23rd career victory.

With the win, Bucciferro (3-1) moves into a tie for fourth in all-time wins for Michigan State with Larry Ike and Brian Wolcott. His 10 strikeouts also pushes Bucciferro over 200 for his career, becoming only the third Spartan to accomplish such a feat.

The Spartans scored first off a Torsten Boss sacrifice fly in the first to score Andrew Cheky. Bucciferro then surrendered two runs in the bottom of the inning giving Cincinnati a 2-1 lead going into the 2nd inning.

The two runs would be the only the Bearcats would get off Bucciferro who had a highlight reel game, retiring 10 consecutive Cincinnati batters at one point.

Michigan State would knot the game at two in the fourth when a Ryan Krill single allowed Jimmy Pickens to reach the plate. The Spartans would then jump out the the lead in the sixth when Pickens again reached the plate, this time off the bat of John Martinez.

Boss then added one more to the Spartans tally in the seventh when he knocked home Jordan Keur on a double. Bucciferro would give up the ball in the eighth and was relieved by Trey Popp who then promptly gave up three hits to his first four batters, including a leadoff home run in the inning that cut into the Spartans lead, 4-3.

Head Coach Jake Boss Jr. called on Saturday's starter, David Garner, who came into the eighth with his team up one and runners on second and third with just one out. Garner then fanned his first batter before walking the bases loaded and getting the final out of the inning on a looking strikeout.

Coach Boss then gave the ball to his closer, Tony Wieber, in the ninth and he made short work of the Bearcats. Wieber fanned all three batters in the ninth and picked up his fourth save of the season and 13th of his career.

His 13 saves puts Wieber one save away from a tie with Brad Lamont for the Michigan State record. Including Wieber's three and Bucciferro's 10, Spartan pitchers recorded 15 strikeouts on Friday.
 

Spartans Rally Pushes Them Past Xavier

Photo from MSU Baseball Facebook Page

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier

The Spartans headed to Port Charlotte, Fla. to compete in the Snowbird Classic and their first opponent was Xavier. Michigan State rallied for the lead in the bottom of the seventh to claim a 6-5 lead after scoring three runs in the inning. They would go on to add two more runs in the eighth to bring the final to 8-5.

In the seventh the Spartans did their damage with two outs, striking for three straight hits to rally for three runs. Anthony Cheky made his second collegiate start in center field and started the seventh inning rally with a single before stealing second, his second swipe of the game. Torsten Boss then drove home Cheky on an RBI double before Ryan Jones singled in Boss, tying the game at five.

A Jimmy Pickens double down the right field line scored Jones before he was caught in a run-down to end the inning. Ryan Krill started the Spartans off in the eighth when he drove a double to the right center field wall that scored Justin Scanlon before he himself came to the plate on a balk and an error in the field.

Spartans starter Tony Bucciferro had an uncharacteristically poor outing, being charged with all five Xavier runs while surrendering seven hits, walking two and fanning four during his 6.2 innings on the mound. Bryce Jenney came on in relief of Bucciferro and although he allowed one of the runners he inherited from Bucciferro to score he threw a scoreless eighth and picked up his first win as a Spartan. 

Tony Wieber came on to throw his usual ninth inning and sat Xavier down in order to record his third save of the season. His 12 career saves now places his second all time for the Spartans with Mike Ericson and Domanick Squires.

The key to the Spartans recent wins and their ability to hang with the top teams in the country is that Coach Jake Boss Jr. has them running the base paths - the Spartans have stolen eight bases in the last two games, three from Cheky who is making a name for himself in his first two collegiate starts.

Spartans Bounce Back with Win Over No. 25 Baylor

Photo from MSU Baseball Facebook Page

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier

The Spartans bounced back from a weekend drubbing in College Station, Tex. to ride the performance of David Garner to a 4-0 win over No. 25 Baylor in Waco, Tex. The sophomore RHP Garner tossed six scoreless innings while scattering three hits and fanned four Baylor Bears.

Coming off three straight losses to No. 5 Texas A&M and a loss earlier in the season to then No. 15 Louisville the victory over No. 25 Baylor was the Spartans second win over a ranked team this season. Michigan State defeated No. 11 St. John's on Opening Day in Dunedin, Fla.

Baylor countered Garner with freshman Austin Stone, who was making his first collegiate start, but he was pulled from the mound after throwing just 1.2 innings. Stone got the hook after walking two straight Spartans before hitting another to load the bases. Michigan State was unable to capitalize on Stone's miscues and were unable to plate any of the runs that were on base.

The Bears pitching struggled with control all game, walking 10 batters on the day over the six pitchers that were called to the mound. 

Torsten Boss got things rolling for the Spartans in the third when he lead off the inning with a bunt before advancing to second on a throwing error. Ryan Jones was able to drive in the run with a double but got greedy and was thrown out at third trying to stretch his double into a triple.

Michigan State again added to it's lead in the sixth on a Boss groundout that scored Anthony Cheky, who was making his first collegiate start in center field. The Spartans stretched their lead to 3-0 on a Jimmy Pickens RBI infield single.

Cheky came around to score again for the Spartans in the seventh when Jordan Keur drove him in on an RBI single. Following Garner to the mound was Jeff Kinley, Trey Popp and Tony Wieber who each threw an inning of relief to close out the game.

Spartans Drop Final Game to Aggies

Photo from MSU Baseball Facebook Page

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier

They jumped out to an early lead but the Spartans were unable to hold off the hard charging Aggies who came back and beat them 9-8 on Sunday. Michigan State was able to strike for 10 hits and left six runners on base but couldn't get over the hump and allowed Texas A&M to get back into the game and ultimately win.

Things started out going the Spartans way in the first inning, with Jordan Keur reaching on a fielding error and Justin Scanlon reaching right after him after a catcher interference call. With two runners on Torsten Boss singled to right which scored an unearned run in Keur. Ryan Jones hit a fly ball to left that allowed Scanlon to score from 3B. With one out and in a 2-1 count Jimmy Pickens hit one over the fence bringing Boss with him on his home run trot. Michigan State then grounded into two straight outs to end the inning.

It was just what Coach Jake Boss Jr. had wanted his team to do, take advantage of the miscues that the Aggies gave them and get runners home. In the first the Spartans were able to plate four runners on two hits and three errors.

TAMU was able to claw back into the game in the second off two throwing errors by 3B Andrew Carpenter. With two runners on base due to throwing errors and a walk the Aggies had the bases loaded and were able to get a run across after Spartans starter Mike Theodore hit an Aggies batter.

Texas A&M was able to cut the lead in half in the fourth inning when a throwing error by 1B Ryan Krill allowed the Aggies to make the score 4-2. TAMU was able to take a 5-4 lead in the sixth when a pair of singles by Jacob House and Brandon Wood scored three.

The Spartans imploded in the seventh, allowing four more runs when a walk, stolen base and a balk moved runners to second and third base. After a two RBI triple chased Bryce Jenney, Trey Popp took the ball and promptly surrendered another RBI triple and an RBI single to drive the score to 9-4 in favor of the Aggies.

In the eighth Michigan State mounted a rally driven by Jared Hook RBI double and a Krill 2 RBI home run. With the score now at 9-7 the Spartans turned to their closer Tony Wieber in the bottom of the eighth and struck out two of the four batters that inning. In the ninth Keur singled to left before being moved up by a Boss single and was able to score on a Jones single. Pickens then flew out to center field.

Spartans starter Mike Theodore performed well during his 4.1 innings of work, surrendering just three hits while giving up two runs, neither of which were earned. While he did strike out two of the 23 batters he faced, he struggled with command and hit two batters with a pitch. His replacement Jeff Kinley did not fare well in his 1.1 innings as he surrendered three earned runs on three hits while hitting one batter.

The bullpen is where Michigan State lost on Sunday as Jenney, who was brought in as relief for Kinley, gave up three earned runs on two hits in just 0.2 innings of work. Popp then relinquished another run on two hits in his 0.2 innings before Wieber was able to shut down the Aggies in his one inning of work, giving up just one hit.

Michigan State was able to take early advantage of some Aggies miscues but could not keep it up against the No. 5 Aggies who were just too much for them to handle. The Spartans (4-6) head to Waco, Tex. on March 7 to take on the Baylor Bears.