Michigan State University
Central Michigan
Late Runs Push Central Michigan Past Spartans, 10-7
4/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 16, 2008
LANSING, Mich. - Central Michigan scored eight runs in the final three innings to edge the Michigan State baseball team, 10-7, Wednesday evening at Oldsmobile Park. Five Spartans had multi-hit games, led by junior Kyle Day's 3-for-3 performance. Senior right-hander Ryan MacFarlane pitched six innings in a no-decision effort.
A trio of seniors - Steve Gerstenberger, Justin Potes and Evan Friedland - each went 2-for-5. Junior Eric Roof also went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI. Potes hit a two-run home run to left in the bottom of the sixth.
The game was close throughout, featuring three lead changes in the middle innings. MSU led 4-2 after six innings, but Central Michigan scored three times in the seventh to take a 5-4 lead. The Spartans answered with a pair of runs to regain a 6-5 lead before the Chippewas pulled away late.
With MSU leading 6-5 in the top of the eighth, a Jeff Helps bunt single and an MSU throwing error put Helps on second with one out. CMU's Billy Anderson doubled on a blooper to left. Tyler Stovall then reached on a bizarre fielder's choice that allowed Helps to score the tying run. Sean Hoorelbeke delivered the big blow with a two-run single that put the Chippewas up for good.
Central Michigan (16-18) added two more runs in the top of the ninth on a squeeze bunt by pinch-hitter Jeff Nowaczyk.
MacFarlane gave a solid effort for the third consecutive Wednesday. He left with MSU leading 4-2 after six innings, striking out four and walking two. He scattered six hits. Steve Teno pitched two innings for the win, while senior Nolan Moody (2-4) took the loss for the Spartans.
Day had three singles and two walks, scoring freshman Jonathan Roof with a hit in the bottom of the first. Day and Gerstenberger each scored twice.
Michigan State (13-17) travels to Ann Arbor to face Big Ten leader Michigan Friday at 6:35 p.m. The game, the first of a four-game set against the Wolverines, will be televised live by the Big Ten Network.
