Spartans Fall to Oregon State in Extra Innings

Saturday, February 14

Surprise, Ariz.

3:00 PM

Michigan State University

1-1

Oregon State

2-0

Michigan State

Oregon State

Cam Vieux threw five innings and struck our four.

2/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 14, 2015

Final Stats

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Michigan State lost to two-time defending Pac-12 Champion Oregon State in extra innings on Saturday afternoon at Surprise Stadium. The Spartans overcame an early deficit, but a bases-loaded single in the 10th gave Oregon State the 4-3 victory, dropping MSU to 1-1 on the season.

"Good ball game against a very good team," said head coach Jake Boss. "They have a lot of experience and are going to win a lot of games this year. For us, I thought our guys showed a lot of character. We got down early and tied it back up. There's no such thing as a good loss, but at the same time there is a lot we can take away from it. We need to do a better job of taking advantage of opportunities and doing the little things it takes to win."

After Oregon State put up a run in both the first and third innings, MSU fell behind 2-0 for the second consecutive day. The Spartans put together a few minor threats, but were held scoreless until Cam Gibson sparked life into the offense in the sixth inning. Gibson led off with a standup triple to left-center before freshman Brandon Hughes brought him home on the very next pitch.

"One thing we told our guys was to keep chipping away and stay with the process and keep doing what we are doing and good things will happen," said Boss. "Give Oregon State a lot of credit; we hit a lot of balls hard and they made plays on balls that were outstanding defensive plays. When you have a good opponent like that, you have to take advantage of the few opportunities that you do get."

In the bottom half of the sixth, Johnny Nate made a diving stop with the infield in for the second out that looked as though it might get Michigan State out of the jam. However, the Beavers responded with an RBI double in the next at-bat that would push their lead back to two.

Trailing 3-1 heading into the eighth, it was the top of the order again that gave life to the Spartans, as Gibson and Hughes both reached base to start the inning. A Blaise Salter bloop single to center brought home Gibson and sent Hughes to third, setting up Mark Weist for the game-tying sac fly.

"Our guys competed today and I give them a lot of credit for that," said Boss. "We got down early and they didn't fold. They could have went in the tank and didn't. They showed a lot of character, especially in the eighth inning. I give them a lot of credit for that, because that is what it takes to be successful at this level. It is something that is going to serve us well down the road, but getting beat today is tough to swallow."

Freshman Alex Troop switched from the DH position to the mound in the seventh inning, holding the Beavers in check and allowing the Spartans to hang close. Troop pitched 3.0 innings, allowing just two hits in his pitching debut. After walking the first two batters in the 10th, Boss turned to his closer Jeff Kinley to get out of the jam. A sac bunt to advance the runners accounted for out number one, followed by an intentional walk to load the bases, before Jeff Kinley struck out Elliott Cary looking. Kyle Nobach stepped up to the plate next, sending a liner back up the middle to bring home the winning run.

"I thought Alex Troop played outstanding," said Boss. "He really showed a lot of character maturity beyond his years. Jeff Kinley threw really well. I put him in a tough spot and he responded. Even the base hit up the middle to end the game was a great pitch. That is the guy I want with the ball in that situation. I thought everyone pitched well today. Cam (Vieaux) settled in and gave us five good innings with the start. The guys out of the pen, Troop especially, were really good and in control the whole way."

Michigan State closes out its weekend in Arizona tomorrow when the Spartans take on Northwestern at 1 p.m. ET.