Michigan State University
Illinois
Baseball Drops Big Ten Home Doubleheader To Illinois
4/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 9, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State baseball team (11-16, 2-5 Big Ten) continued its struggles against Big Ten co-leader Illinois (17-7-1, 7-0 Big Ten), dropping both games of a league doubleheader Saturday, April 9, at Kobs Field. The Fighting Illini easily captured game one by a 9-2 margin before mounting a comeback in the second game for a 6-5 win.
In the first game, a solo home run by senior Dusty Bensko and a three-run home run by senior Tony Gardenhire propelled Illinois to an early 5-0 lead in the second inning. Bensko led off the top of the third with a single and later scored on a wild pitch, giving the Fighting Illini a 6-0 advantage.
Michigan State scored its first run of the game on a solo home run by sophomore catcher Sean Walker (Round Lake, Ill.) in the bottom of the third to cut Illinois' lead to 6-1. Sophomore right fielder Adam Tripp (Saugus, Calif.) dropped MSU's deficit to 6-2 in the sixth inning with a solo home run to left center. Illinois, however, added three more runs in the seventh inning to provide the final margin.
Bensko and senior Chad Frk each went 2-for-3 at the plate for Illinois, while Gardenhire recorded four RBI. Junior Jimmy Conroy (5-0) earned the complete-game victory for the Fighting Illini, allowing two runs on six hits along with five strikeouts.
Walker led Michigan State offensively, going 2-for-4 with a home run and a run batted in. Junior Chris Malec (2-3) took the loss for the Spartans, allowing five runs on six hits in one and two-third innings of work.
In the second game, the Fighting Illini opened the scoring with two runs in the first inning, highlighted by a RBI-double by senior Drew Davidson and a run-scoring fielder's choice by junior Trevor Huisinga. A two-run single by Bensko in the second inning increased Illinois' lead to 4-0.
Michigan State bounced back with a three-run rally in the third inning, cutting its deficit to 4-3. Sophomore shortstop Troy Krider (Coldwater, Mich.) hit a two-run home run to right center off Illinois starting pitcher Matt Whitmore. Two batters later, senior first baseman Erik Morris (Orchard Lake, Mich.) lined a run-scoring single to center field.
The Spartans utilized a two-run rally in the fourth inning, giving them the lead at 5-4. Junior designated hitter Jamey Embree (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) led off the inning with a single and scored on a ground-rule double by junior third baseman Alan Cattrysse (Chatham, Ont.). Krider brought home Cattrysse from third two plays later on a RBI fielder's choice. In the sixth inning, however, Illinois scored two runs to regain a 6-5 advantage on run-scoring singles by Bensko and sophomore Mike Rhode.
Michigan State had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh. With one out and the bases loaded, Illinois closer Jake Toohey induced outs from Walker and freshman Tony Clausen (Jenison, Mich.) to end the game.
Bensko went 2-for-3 with three RBI to pace the Illinois offense unit. Sophomore Aaron Saving (1-0) came out of the Illini bullpen to earn the win after giving up only two hits and striking out four in three innings of relief. Toohey earned the save with a scoreless outing in the seventh inning.
Morris was 3-for-4 with a double and a run batted in to lead Michigan State. Krider (2-for-3, home run) and freshman center fielder Ryan Sontag (2-for-4, run) each recorded two hits for the game. Freshman reliever Mike Monterey (0-5) took the loss for the Spartans, allowing one run on two hits in one-third of an inning pitched.
The final game of the series between the two teams is set for Sunday, April 10 at 1 p.m.
