Michigan State University
Rhode Island
Spartan Baseball Falls To Rhode Island, 7-4
3/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 12, 2006
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Michigan State (4-6) baseball fell to Rhode Island, 7-4, in 10 innings, Saturday night at Florida Atlantic University. It marked MSU's seventh game in eight days and its third extra-inning game in its last four outings.
Michigan State took a 2-0 lead after three innings, producing a run each in the first and third. In the Spartans' opening at bat, Troy Krider reached on a well-placed bunt down the third base line and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by E.J. Daws. Sean Walker recorded an RBI, scoring Krider with a single up the middle. Quinn Ewert led off the third inning with a double and scored on an extra-base hit by Daws for a two-run lead.
Rhode Island's bats came alive in the fourth inning, scoring three runs on four hits to take a 3-2 lead. The Rams added an insurance run in the fifth for a 4-2 advantage.
The Spartans managed to put a run on the board in the seventh and cut their deficit to 4-3. Kyle Day singled to center and moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt by Oliver Wolcott. Attempting to throw out Quinn Ewert at first base, Rhode Island shortstop Mike O'Malley sent the ball sailing over teammate Ryan Cunningham's head, allowing Day to score.
Down by one with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Spartans rallied to tie the game at 4-4, forcing extra innings. Krider reached safely on a single and pinch-hitter Jamey Embree drew a walk, setting up Ryan Basham who found the gap on the right side to score Krider. With runners at the corners, MSU had an opportunity to complete the comeback, but Ram pitcher Jamie Degidio sent Adam Tripp down looking.
Rhode Island capitalized in the 10th, touching relief pitcher Matt Trausch for three runs on three hits, while using one Spartan error to take a 7-4 lead. Tom Venedam clinched the win for the Rams, recording the final three outs to earn the save.
Degidio (1-0) picked up the victory for Rhode Island, allowing one run on three hits in 2.2 innings while striking out four. Trausch (0-1) was tagged with his first loss of the season.
At the plate, Krider was a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored, while Dave Savard went 2-for-4 with three RBI for the Rams.
Michigan State returns to action March 17-19, traveling to Athens, Ohio, for a four-game series against Ohio.
