Tuesday, March 26
Fisher Stadium | Ann Arbor, Mich.
4 PM
Michigan State University
10-12
16
at
6
Michigan
9-16
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Michigan State
0
1
2
2
0
0
2
2
7
16
19
2
Michigan
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
6
10
0
Photo by: MSU Baseball Social Squad
Spartans Sparked By Deluge Of Runs And Rain In 16-6 Victory For MSU At Michigan Tuesday
3/26/2024 10:35:00 PM | Baseball
Michigan State withstands rain delay on way to win over Wolverines; all nine starters with at least one hit and one run apiece.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A deluge of runs by Michigan State before and after a rain delay propelled Michigan State baseball to a 16-6 Victory for MSU at Michigan Tuesday evening at a cold and rainy Fisher Stadium.
MSU had a 9-3 lead entering the bottom of the eighth inning, when the game had a roughly 30-minute rain delay after one pitch in the frame. When the game resumed, the Spartan defense held the Wolverines without a run in the bottom of the eighth before plating seven runs in the top of the ninth and withstood a UM threat for the 16-6 triumph.
"We had a six run lead at that point, but our guys weathered the storm so to speak, and they were cold and wet in the dugout, but they were ready to go when the rain stopped. With so many older leaders we have, I think the younger guys look towards those guys how they handle things and different situations, and the older guys help them and they work well together on the field."
The Spartans worked well together on the field and in the dugout, especially during the rain delay, throughout the nearly four-hour game.
"I think it's just staying locked in, we were pretty high-energy all game long and I think the score kind of helped that, but we were just having fun with each other in the dugout, keeping things loose, but keeping locked in for when we do step back on the field," senior infielder Dillon Kark said.Â
Even with the 16 runs, the Spartans could have scored even more runs, leaving 14 runners stranded.
"We're frustrated not getting those guys in, but we know that we're going to have chances every game, and whether you don't do it in your first at bat, just put it behind you, live and learn, have it go in one ear and out the other, and move on, because you're going to have more chances and we were able to capitalize on our chances," Kark said.
The Spartans have beaten the Wolverines in the last two meetings overall, while Michigan State has scored 14 or more runs in its last three wins over Michigan, opening the 2023 season with a 15-8 win out in Phoenix at the MLB Desert Invite. MSU then won the series finale, 14-2 on April 23, avoiding a sweep after UM had won the first two games of the Big Ten weekend series, 5-3 and 8-3.
The Spartan baseball win joined the recent streak of Victories for MSU over UM, as the Michigan State gymnastics team beat Michigan and all the rest of the Big Ten teams at the Big Ten Gymnastics Championships meet this past Saturday night, just hours before the MSU hockey team beat Michigan for the Big Ten Hockey Championships, for the rare three wins over UM in a span of four days.
"Obviously it's a rivalry, and I think that's important for our older guys, these are wins you don't forget," Boss said. "When you get a chance to win at a place like this against your rivals, especially the last time for the seniors, these are the ones you don't forget and it means a lot to us, it's important for us and our guys answered the bell today."
One of the players answering the bell and one who the Victory for MSU will leave a lasting impression on was Kark.
"This was my last time playing Michigan here, so the way we put it to them today, I'll definitely remember this one," Kark said, who is an in-state Spartan from White Lake, Michigan. "Tonight was awesome. There's definitely some extra motivation being an in-state kid, the way we handled them today meant a lot for the last time playing here."
Michigan State was also wearing its anthracite uniforms in the 14-2 win in Ann Arbor on April 23, 2023, as the Spartans additionally improve to 3-0 this season when wearing the dark grey road uniforms.
With Tuesday's win, the Spartans have won four of their last six games in moving to 10-12 on the season. The Wolverines had their two-game win streak halted with the loss, sliding to 9-16 overall. Tuesday's game was a non-conference contest, as the teams will meet in a Big Ten weekend series in May.
Michigan State rapped out 19 hits, with all nine starters plus the lone pinch hitter knocking at least one hit, while seven Spartans had multiple hits. All nine starters plus the one pinch hitter all scored at least one run each and eight of the nine starters in addition to the lone pinch hitter had at least one RBI. Eight of the nine starters also drew at least one walk, as the Spartans earned a season-high 13 free passes and their second double-digit walk outing of the season.
"Offensively I think we took what we were given and did a good job of not expanding the strike zone," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "We walked 13 times, which is hard to do, and 19 hits, so a really good day offensively for us from top to bottom, all the way through the order."
Leadoff hitter freshman outfielder Landen Lozier and No. 2 hitter senior infielder Dillon Kark were both 3-for-5, while senior outfielder Jack Frank and freshman infielder Ryan McKay were both 2-for-5. Senior outfielder Greg Ziegler went 2-for-3 in his first start of the season, incrementally returning to action from a preseason injury. Senior catcher Sam Thompson was 2-for-4 while sophomore infielder Randy Seymour was 2-for-6.Â
Junior outfielder Nick Williams and junior designated hitter Christian Williams rounded out the starters with a hit, while sophomore pinch hitter Jake Dresselhouse added a single. Seymour smacked two doubles, while Lozier, Kark, Frank and McKay knocked one apiece.
Thompson drove in a career-high four RBI, while Seymour tied a career-best with three ribbies. Lozier and Frank tallied two RBI apiece, while Kark, McKay, C.Williams, Dresselhouse and Ziegler all drove in one run each. N.Williams and Ziegler scored three runs each, while Kark and Frank touched home twice, and Lozier, McKay, C.Williams, Dresselhouse, Seymour and Thompson had one run apiece.
Senior starting pitcher Aaron Mishoulam went 4.0 IP and struck out four, scattering six hits with three runs, one earned, with one walk. Junior reliever Noah Matheny went 3.0 IP with two punchouts, not allowing a hit or run, while walking two. Freshman Logan Pikur threw one pitch in the eighth before the rain delay, then finished it off with 1.0 IP with one hit, one run and one walk, before redshirt-sophomore reliever Aidan Arbaugh closed it out with three strikeouts in the ninth around three hits and two runs.
"I thought Aaron Mishoulam did a nice job of really grinding out his four innings, and Noah Matheny came in and was lights out; he was really, really good. He got us through their order one time in three innings, and I thought just made one mistake on a tough pitch, but I thought he was outstanding today. Logan Pikur did a nice job in his inning and Aidan Arbaugh hasn't pitched a whole lot for us, and when you come in with a big lead like that, it can be difficult at times and you're just trying to throw it down the middle of the plate to get outs, but he did his job and what we needed to do."
Despite being down 2-1 after the second inning, the Spartans scored in seven of the nine innings, including two runs in back-to-back stanzas in the third and fourth, and then three innings in a row with two runs each in the seventh, eighth, and ninth to pull away from the 3-3 tie after three innings for the Victory for MSU.
MSU threatened in its first at bat, loading the bases with the first three batters and forcing a UM pitching change, but the Spartans were unable to score.Â
The Green & White did get on the board in their next at bat, with Lozier lacing an opposite-field double down the line in left field to drive in Ziegler for the first but not last run of the game.
UM quickly countered with a two-run frame in the home half of the second to take the lead.
MSU's deficit was as short-lived as their previous lead, as the Spartans regained the lead with a two-run rally of their own. Frank and N.Williams laced back-to-back singles, and Frank later came in to score on a single by C.Williams and N.Williams scored on an RBI base-loaded walk by Thompson, for a 3-2 Spartan advantage.
Just as the previous three half-innings had gone scoreless, so did the bottom of the third as Michigan tied it back up with a run of its own, leveling it at 3-3.
Keeping the scoring pattern going, the Spartans didn't go scoreless into the windy evening in the top of fourth, plating two runs, as Kark sparked the rally with a double the corner in left and N.Williams later reached on a fielder's choice, followed by McKay drawing a walk. Seymour later came to bat with the bases loaded and cleared them, driving in Kark and N.Williams, but McKay was tagged out for the inning-ending out, leaving the score 5-3.
MSU tacked on two more in the seventh on RBI singles by Thompson and Lozier, respectively for a 7-3 advantage.
In the top of the eighth, the Spartans scored two more runs, as Seymour laced an RBI double down the left-field line and Ziegler knocked a sac fly and had a 9-3 lead.
Just one pitch into the bottom of the eighth, the game underwent the rain delay. When play resumed Pikur kept the Wolverine bats in check without a run.
In the top of the ninth, the Spartans batted around, plating seven runs on five hits, with Frank smacking a two-run double, McKay beating out an infield single, Dresselhouse drew an RBI single, Thompson tallied a two-run ribbie base hit and Kark was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded for another RBI.
Arbaugh came on to replace Pikur in the bottom of the ninth after the UM leadoff hitter reached, and worked around three hits and two runs, to seal the Victory for MSU.
Michigan State now starts another four-game homestand at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field, hosting in-state foe Oakland on Wednesday, March 27 at 4:05 p.m.
The Green & White resume weekend B1G action for its conference home-opening series, welcoming Rutgers to town, Friday-Sunday, March 29-31. Friday's series opener and Saturday's second game of the series are slated for 3:35 p.m. first pitches, before Sunday's series finale at 1:05 p.m.
Fans can follow this week's action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com.Â
The schedule is subject to change based on weather.
---------
For the first time ever, Michigan State baseball fans have the ability to purchase season tickets.
Season tickets packages are on sale through the Spartan Ticket Office. The MSU baseball season ticket package, which includes 24 home games at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field, is available for $50.Â
All ticket levels for seniors, adults and children are the same price. Admission remains free for all Michigan State students by showing their MSU ID at the entry gate.
The 2024 Spartan baseball season includes Big Ten match-ups against Rutgers, Penn State and Nebraska, along with regional clashes with Central Michigan, Oakland and Notre Dame, in addition to giving fans admission to all three home games of baseball Rivalry Week against Michigan.
Individual game tickets will go on sale later this spring.
Fans can contact the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information. A direct link to purchase season tickets is here.
Â
MSU had a 9-3 lead entering the bottom of the eighth inning, when the game had a roughly 30-minute rain delay after one pitch in the frame. When the game resumed, the Spartan defense held the Wolverines without a run in the bottom of the eighth before plating seven runs in the top of the ninth and withstood a UM threat for the 16-6 triumph.
"We had a six run lead at that point, but our guys weathered the storm so to speak, and they were cold and wet in the dugout, but they were ready to go when the rain stopped. With so many older leaders we have, I think the younger guys look towards those guys how they handle things and different situations, and the older guys help them and they work well together on the field."
The Spartans worked well together on the field and in the dugout, especially during the rain delay, throughout the nearly four-hour game.
"I think it's just staying locked in, we were pretty high-energy all game long and I think the score kind of helped that, but we were just having fun with each other in the dugout, keeping things loose, but keeping locked in for when we do step back on the field," senior infielder Dillon Kark said.Â
Even with the 16 runs, the Spartans could have scored even more runs, leaving 14 runners stranded.
"We're frustrated not getting those guys in, but we know that we're going to have chances every game, and whether you don't do it in your first at bat, just put it behind you, live and learn, have it go in one ear and out the other, and move on, because you're going to have more chances and we were able to capitalize on our chances," Kark said.
The Spartans have beaten the Wolverines in the last two meetings overall, while Michigan State has scored 14 or more runs in its last three wins over Michigan, opening the 2023 season with a 15-8 win out in Phoenix at the MLB Desert Invite. MSU then won the series finale, 14-2 on April 23, avoiding a sweep after UM had won the first two games of the Big Ten weekend series, 5-3 and 8-3.
The Spartan baseball win joined the recent streak of Victories for MSU over UM, as the Michigan State gymnastics team beat Michigan and all the rest of the Big Ten teams at the Big Ten Gymnastics Championships meet this past Saturday night, just hours before the MSU hockey team beat Michigan for the Big Ten Hockey Championships, for the rare three wins over UM in a span of four days.
"Obviously it's a rivalry, and I think that's important for our older guys, these are wins you don't forget," Boss said. "When you get a chance to win at a place like this against your rivals, especially the last time for the seniors, these are the ones you don't forget and it means a lot to us, it's important for us and our guys answered the bell today."
One of the players answering the bell and one who the Victory for MSU will leave a lasting impression on was Kark.
"This was my last time playing Michigan here, so the way we put it to them today, I'll definitely remember this one," Kark said, who is an in-state Spartan from White Lake, Michigan. "Tonight was awesome. There's definitely some extra motivation being an in-state kid, the way we handled them today meant a lot for the last time playing here."
Michigan State was also wearing its anthracite uniforms in the 14-2 win in Ann Arbor on April 23, 2023, as the Spartans additionally improve to 3-0 this season when wearing the dark grey road uniforms.
With Tuesday's win, the Spartans have won four of their last six games in moving to 10-12 on the season. The Wolverines had their two-game win streak halted with the loss, sliding to 9-16 overall. Tuesday's game was a non-conference contest, as the teams will meet in a Big Ten weekend series in May.
Michigan State rapped out 19 hits, with all nine starters plus the lone pinch hitter knocking at least one hit, while seven Spartans had multiple hits. All nine starters plus the one pinch hitter all scored at least one run each and eight of the nine starters in addition to the lone pinch hitter had at least one RBI. Eight of the nine starters also drew at least one walk, as the Spartans earned a season-high 13 free passes and their second double-digit walk outing of the season.
VICTORY FOR MSU!!!!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) March 26, 2024
High fives and handshakes all around!!!
Final score from Ann Arbor:
Michigan State 16, Michigan 6
MSU has posted 14+ runs in its last 3 wins over UM!!#VictoryForMSU pic.twitter.com/0eymoK5vRh
"Offensively I think we took what we were given and did a good job of not expanding the strike zone," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "We walked 13 times, which is hard to do, and 19 hits, so a really good day offensively for us from top to bottom, all the way through the order."
Leadoff hitter freshman outfielder Landen Lozier and No. 2 hitter senior infielder Dillon Kark were both 3-for-5, while senior outfielder Jack Frank and freshman infielder Ryan McKay were both 2-for-5. Senior outfielder Greg Ziegler went 2-for-3 in his first start of the season, incrementally returning to action from a preseason injury. Senior catcher Sam Thompson was 2-for-4 while sophomore infielder Randy Seymour was 2-for-6.Â
Junior outfielder Nick Williams and junior designated hitter Christian Williams rounded out the starters with a hit, while sophomore pinch hitter Jake Dresselhouse added a single. Seymour smacked two doubles, while Lozier, Kark, Frank and McKay knocked one apiece.
Thompson drove in a career-high four RBI, while Seymour tied a career-best with three ribbies. Lozier and Frank tallied two RBI apiece, while Kark, McKay, C.Williams, Dresselhouse and Ziegler all drove in one run each. N.Williams and Ziegler scored three runs each, while Kark and Frank touched home twice, and Lozier, McKay, C.Williams, Dresselhouse, Seymour and Thompson had one run apiece.
Senior starting pitcher Aaron Mishoulam went 4.0 IP and struck out four, scattering six hits with three runs, one earned, with one walk. Junior reliever Noah Matheny went 3.0 IP with two punchouts, not allowing a hit or run, while walking two. Freshman Logan Pikur threw one pitch in the eighth before the rain delay, then finished it off with 1.0 IP with one hit, one run and one walk, before redshirt-sophomore reliever Aidan Arbaugh closed it out with three strikeouts in the ninth around three hits and two runs.
"I thought Aaron Mishoulam did a nice job of really grinding out his four innings, and Noah Matheny came in and was lights out; he was really, really good. He got us through their order one time in three innings, and I thought just made one mistake on a tough pitch, but I thought he was outstanding today. Logan Pikur did a nice job in his inning and Aidan Arbaugh hasn't pitched a whole lot for us, and when you come in with a big lead like that, it can be difficult at times and you're just trying to throw it down the middle of the plate to get outs, but he did his job and what we needed to do."
A pitcher's best friend!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) March 26, 2024
Matheny induces a 4-6-3 double play to end the frame!!
C.Williams to lead off T7th.#GoGreen | @Ryanmckay51 | @RandySeymour14 | @NicklasWilliam1| @MathenyNoah pic.twitter.com/dMnV5oygR2
Despite being down 2-1 after the second inning, the Spartans scored in seven of the nine innings, including two runs in back-to-back stanzas in the third and fourth, and then three innings in a row with two runs each in the seventh, eighth, and ninth to pull away from the 3-3 tie after three innings for the Victory for MSU.
MSU threatened in its first at bat, loading the bases with the first three batters and forcing a UM pitching change, but the Spartans were unable to score.Â
The Green & White did get on the board in their next at bat, with Lozier lacing an opposite-field double down the line in left field to drive in Ziegler for the first but not last run of the game.
LL down LF line for an RBI double!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) March 26, 2024
Lozier laces a double down the left-field line to drive in Ziegler who sparked rally w/ 2-out single.
Mid 2nd |
MSU 1
UM 0
Mishoulam back to work in B2nd.#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/AGKq9F4vLW
UM quickly countered with a two-run frame in the home half of the second to take the lead.
MSU's deficit was as short-lived as their previous lead, as the Spartans regained the lead with a two-run rally of their own. Frank and N.Williams laced back-to-back singles, and Frank later came in to score on a single by C.Williams and N.Williams scored on an RBI base-loaded walk by Thompson, for a 3-2 Spartan advantage.
Just as the previous three half-innings had gone scoreless, so did the bottom of the third as Michigan tied it back up with a run of its own, leveling it at 3-3.
Keeping the scoring pattern going, the Spartans didn't go scoreless into the windy evening in the top of fourth, plating two runs, as Kark sparked the rally with a double the corner in left and N.Williams later reached on a fielder's choice, followed by McKay drawing a walk. Seymour later came to bat with the bases loaded and cleared them, driving in Kark and N.Williams, but McKay was tagged out for the inning-ending out, leaving the score 5-3.
MSU tacked on two more in the seventh on RBI singles by Thompson and Lozier, respectively for a 7-3 advantage.
In the top of the eighth, the Spartans scored two more runs, as Seymour laced an RBI double down the left-field line and Ziegler knocked a sac fly and had a 9-3 lead.
Once again, let's Sey-more runs!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) March 26, 2024
Mid 8th |
MSU 9
UM 3
Spartans plate two more runs as McKay sparks rally with double and scores on Seymour double!
MSU later adds Ziegler sac fly for 2nd run of frame.#GoGreen | @Ryanmckay51 | @RandySeymour14 pic.twitter.com/qzyTEZoYrb
Just one pitch into the bottom of the eighth, the game underwent the rain delay. When play resumed Pikur kept the Wolverine bats in check without a run.
....And now with a hat-tip to our B1G Champion & NCAA Tourney bound @MSU_Hockey team... GAME ON!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) March 26, 2024
MSU 9
UM 3
T8th, 0 outs, 0-1 count#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/LfXM8P0uZR
In the top of the ninth, the Spartans batted around, plating seven runs on five hits, with Frank smacking a two-run double, McKay beating out an infield single, Dresselhouse drew an RBI single, Thompson tallied a two-run ribbie base hit and Kark was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded for another RBI.
Arbaugh came on to replace Pikur in the bottom of the ninth after the UM leadoff hitter reached, and worked around three hits and two runs, to seal the Victory for MSU.
Michigan State now starts another four-game homestand at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field, hosting in-state foe Oakland on Wednesday, March 27 at 4:05 p.m.
The Green & White resume weekend B1G action for its conference home-opening series, welcoming Rutgers to town, Friday-Sunday, March 29-31. Friday's series opener and Saturday's second game of the series are slated for 3:35 p.m. first pitches, before Sunday's series finale at 1:05 p.m.
Fans can follow this week's action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com.Â
The schedule is subject to change based on weather.
---------
For the first time ever, Michigan State baseball fans have the ability to purchase season tickets.
Season tickets packages are on sale through the Spartan Ticket Office. The MSU baseball season ticket package, which includes 24 home games at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field, is available for $50.Â
All ticket levels for seniors, adults and children are the same price. Admission remains free for all Michigan State students by showing their MSU ID at the entry gate.
The 2024 Spartan baseball season includes Big Ten match-ups against Rutgers, Penn State and Nebraska, along with regional clashes with Central Michigan, Oakland and Notre Dame, in addition to giving fans admission to all three home games of baseball Rivalry Week against Michigan.
Individual game tickets will go on sale later this spring.
Fans can contact the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information. A direct link to purchase season tickets is here.
Â
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Matheny, Noah (1-1)
L: Ricky Kidd (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Lozier, Landen 1 ; Kark, Dillon 1 ; Frank, Jack 1 ; McKay, Ryan 1 ; Seymour, Randy 2
RBI: Lozier, Landen 2 ; Kark, Dillon 1 ; Frank, Jack 2 ; McKay, Ryan 1 ; Williams, Christian 1 ; Dresselhouse, Jake 1 ; Seymour, Randy 3 ; Ziegler, Greg 1 ; Thompson, Sam 4
SF: Ziegler, Greg 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lozier, Landen 1 ; Kark, Dillon 2 ; Frank, Jack 2 ; Williams, Nick 3 ; McKay, Ryan 1 ; Williams, Christian 1 ; Dresselhouse, Jake 1 ; Seymour, Randy 1 ; Ziegler, Greg 3 ; Thompson, Sam 1
HBP: Kark, Dillon 1 ; Williams, Nick 1
Batting:
2B: Jack Counsell 1 ; Joonsung Park 1
HR: Stephen Hrustich 1
RBI: Mitch Voit 1 ; Stephen Hrustich 2 ; Will Rogers 1 ; Joonsung Park 1 ; AJ Garcia 1
SF: Will Rogers 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mitch Voit 1 ; Stephen Hrustich 2 ; Will Rogers 1 ; Joonsung Park 1 ; AJ Garcia 1
SB: AJ Garcia 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
1
H
3
RBI
2
AB
5
R
2
H
3
RBI
1
AB
5
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
LHP/OF
/ Baseball
OF/C
/ BaseballOF
/ BaseballINF
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballPursuit to Greatness | Spartans All-Access
Monday, May 19
Jake Boss | Baseball Press Conference | April 17, 2025
Thursday, April 17
Jake Boss | Baseball Press Conference | Mar. 25 2025
Tuesday, March 25
Jake Boss | Baseball Press Conference | Mar. 11 2025
Tuesday, March 11