Baseball Drops Series Opener With No. 17 Illinois

Saturday, March 28

East Lansing, Mich.

1:05 PM

Michigan State University

11-12, 0

Illinois

19-5-1, 0

Illinois

Michigan State

Blaise Salter is tied for seventh in the nation in doubles.

3/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

March 28, 2015

Box Score

EAST LANSING - The Michigan State baseball team fell to 17th-ranked Illinois, 8-4, in the Big Ten home opener on Saturday afternoon at McLane Baseball Stadium at Kobs Field. Despite being outhit by the Spartans, 14-10, the Fighting Illini never trailed in the game as they improved to 19-5-1 and 1-0 in the league. MSU dropped to 11-12 overall and 1-3 in the Big Ten.

"Illinois is a good ball club," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "I thought we got better offensively today. We needed a couple big at-bats and, unfortunately, they executed and we didn't. At the same time, we gave up plenty of free bases and when that happens against a good team, they're going to take advantage."

Illinois starting pitcher Ryan Duchene limited MSU to just one run off eight hits in six-complete innings to improve to 4-1.

Conversely, MSU starter Mick VanVossen struggled in the early going, allowing six runs (five earned) off four hits while walking six batters.

Illinois got to VanVossen in the top of the first as a leadoff walk and error by the pitcher turned into the first run of the game as Ryan Nagle scored Adam Walton on an RBI single.

The Spartans got their first scoring opportunity of the day in the bottom of the second with singles by Ryan Richardson and Brandon Hughes, respectively. With the runners on first and second and two outs, Anthony Cheky drilled a base hit to center field where Casey Fletcher picked it up on one hop and threw it to catcher Jason Goldstein. The throw was on target and Goldstein tagged a sliding Richardson to end the inning and keep it a 1-0 game.

Three straight walks to start the top of the third inning all came around to score to boost Illinois' lead to 4-0. A hit batter, groundout and sacrifice fly drove in the three runs.

The Spartans had five hits through four innings and eventually broke through on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth. With Cheky on second and two outs, Ryan Krill delivered a hard-hit RBI single that brought the runner home to make the score 4-1.

Illinois quickly put an end to any Spartan momentum as the Fighting Illini responded to score three runs in the top of the sixth to up their lead to 7-1. Matthew James had the big hit - a two RBI double to the warning track in left field. Ryne Roper followed with an RBI single for the third run of the inning.

Michigan State clawed back into the game in the bottom of the seventh, scoring three runs - all with two outs - to make it 7-4. Mark Weist drove in the first run with an RBI single through the left side. Blaise Salter followed with a two-run double to left field.

Salter's double was the 47th of his career, tying Scott Ayotte for the most in program history.

MSU threatened again in the bottom of the eighth inning, putting runners at the corners with two outs. But Illini closer Tyler Jay got Ryan Krill you ground out end the inning.

Illinois pushed its lead to 8-4 with a solo run in the top of the ninth.

Every player in the Spartan lineup finished the game with a hit, led by Cheky, who went 3-for-4.

"All in all, it was a very clean game today," Boss said. "I didn't think we played poorly and we'll be ready to come out and compete tomorrow."

The Spartans and Illini will play game two of the series on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. at McLane Baseball Stadium.