Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Florida State
Baseball Falls At No. 19 Florida State, 7-4
3/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 2, 2001
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Michigan State baseball team lost its opening game of its spring trip to Florida State, 7-4, on Friday (March 2). The Spartans remained winless on the season, at 0-3, while the 19th-ranked Seminoles improved to 7-5.
The Spartans' Bob Malek (So./Detroit) notched the only hit of the first three innings for either team, as each pitcher came out strong. However, that trend would only last until the fourth inning, when an MSU error eventually led to a four-run inning for the Seminoles. Florida State added one more run in the bottom of the fifth. The fifth inning also saw MSU leftfielder Chris McCuiston (Jr./Birmingham, Mich.) make a spectacular diving catch to prevent the Seminoles from doing any more damage.
In the bottom of the seventh, FSU added two runs on a two-run home run by John-Ford Griffin to build a 7-0 lead. The Spartans took advantage of Seminole mistakes in the top of the eighth inning, putting three men on base thanks to two walks and an error. With the bases loaded, Malek was hit by a pitch, forcing in James Moreno (Fr./Holt, Mich.). One batter later, pinch-hitter Brady Burrill (So./Newhall, Calif,) hit a three-run double, narrowing the score to 7-4. The Spartans were unable to continue the rally in the top of the ninth.
MSU starter Dylan Putnam (Jr./Ann Arbor, Mich.) went six innings, giving up five hits, five runs (three earned) while striking out two. FSU starter Blair Varnes pitched seven scoreless innings, allowed only three hits and struck out six.
The Spartans and Seminoles will face off again Saturday (March 3), with first pitch set for 2 p.m. and close out the series Sunday at 1 p.m.
Florida State 7, Michigan State 4Score By Innings R H EMichigan State 000 000 040 4 4 1Florida State 000 410 20x 7 8 2
WP- Varnes (2-1)LP- Putnam (0-1)
