Michigan State University
Oakland
Holm's Five RBIs Help Spartans Defeat Oakland, 9-6
3/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 21, 2009
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Jeff
LANSING, Mich. - Jeff Holm had a career-high five RBIs as the Spartan baseball team defeated Oakland, 9-6, in game two of a three-game series on Saturday (March 21) at Oldsmobile Park. Holm's five RBIs were the most by any Spartan in a game this season.
"We got that big first inning again and I think that is important for what we are trying to do - get on them early," said Holm. "All the hitters just did their jobs today."
Saturday's game started similar to Friday's after Oakland scored one in the first, courtesy of a homer by Dan Ryan, and the Spartans responded in the bottom of the frame with four runs. After Jonathan Roof, Chris Roberts and Eric Roof all reached consecutively, first baseman Jeff Holm cashed in with a double to left center field that scored all three. Holm scored two batters later when Bo Felt drove him in with a single to make the score 4-1.
The Golden Grizzlies clawed their way back into the game in the third and fourth innings, scoring solo runs in each inning off a wild pitch and a pair of Spartan errors, respectively. Oakland then tied the game at four in the sixth when what looked to be an inning-ending double play turned into a fielder's choice RBI for Tim Ryan.
After the Spartans' four-run first inning, Oakland starting pitcher Matt LaMothe allowed just one hit through six before A.J. Shindler led off the seventh with a single and started a Spartan rally. Shindler later scored off a sacrifice fly by Jonathan Roof and Holm recorded his fourth RBI of the day later in the inning to give MSU a 6-4 lead.
In the eighth inning, Jonathan Roof picked up his second RBI of the game, Roberts collected his third hit of the day and Holm walked with the bases loaded in the eighth to extend MSU's lead to 9-4.
Oakland threatened to tie the game in the ninth after a two-RBI double by D.J. Jarrad but Kurt Wunderlich got Taylor Traub, the potential tying run, to ground out to end the game, leaving two runners in scoring position.
Wunderlich (1-3) got the win for MSU in relief, pitching the final three innings. LaMothe suffered his first loss of the year for Oakland.
Michigan State (5-14) will look for the series sweep when the two teams meet again on Sunday (March 22) at 1:05 p.m. at Olds Park.
