Michigan State University
Eastern Michigan
Waszak Pitches Spartans to 4-0 Shutout Win
4/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 28, 2010
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Andrew
LANSING, Mich. - Freshman pitcher Andrew Waszak limited Eastern Michigan to just two hits as he struck out seven in 7.2 innings of work to help Michigan State defeat Eastern Michigan, 4-0, on Wednesday night at Cooley Law School Stadium. Waszak allowed just four base runners as he improved to 4-1 on the season.
"Andrew threw extremely well tonight," said MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. "He was able to locate three pitches for strikes, got ahead in the count and was then able to put guys away. He went deep into the ballgame, too. To have a freshman do that is great for us."
The Spartans had the only hit of the game through two and a half innings until catcher Seth Williams led off the bottom of the third with a double to right field. Ryan Jones then walked and Brandon Eckerle got on with a bunt single to load the bases with no outs to put MSU in position to put up a big number in the inning. Eagle starting pitcher Steve Young limited the damage though, as the Spartans got just one run in the inning - a fielder's choice RBI by Jonathan Roof.
After leaving four runners on base through three innings, Chris Roberts broke through and increased MSU's lead in the fourth with an RBI single. He scored later in the inning when Williams drove him in with sacrifice fly to center field to make the score 3-0.
Similar to Tuesday's game when Tony Wieber held the Eagles (21-21) hitless through five innings, Waszak didn't surrender a hit until there were two outs in the fourth on Wednesday night. After issuing a walk and surrendering a single to start the fifth inning, Waszak was the recipient of a nice 5-4 double play. He then got Aaron Chavez to fly out to end the inning.
"The defense was outstanding today, all the guys in the infield made great plays," Waszak said. "I felt really good today - calm and relaxed. I located my pitches and tried to pitch, not just throw."
Williams', who went 2-for-2 on the day, made it 4-0 MSU when he led off the bottom of the seventh with a towering home run to left center field.
Trey Popp came on in relief of Waszak to get the final out in the eighth inning and Kurtis Frymier pitched a scoreless ninth to help MSU improve to 28-11.
The Spartans will hit the road this weekend for a three-game series at Penn State, beginning Friday at 6:35 p.m.
