Sunday, April 21
McLane Stadium at Kobs Field | East Lansing, Mich.
1:05 PM
Michigan State University
17-19, 5-7
9
vs
11
Penn State
18-17, 6-9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Penn State
0
0
4
3
0
0
0
1
3
11
14
2
Michigan State
0
0
0
5
0
2
0
1
1
9
10
0
Photo by: MSU Baseball Social Squad
Michigan State Clipped By Penn State, 11-9, In A Sunday Slugfest
4/21/2024 6:20:00 PM | Baseball
Spartans rally from 7-0 deficit to tie it, before PSU pulls away late & MSU comeback comes up short.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- After rallying from an early big deficit, Michigan State baseball came back to tie it up, before Penn State pulled away late and then the Spartan comeback came up short in an 11-9 slugfest Sunday afternoon at a brisk and breezy but sunny McLane Stadium at Kobs Field.
The loss denied the series sweep, as Michigan State won the series with a 6-5 thrilling Victory for MSU Friday night and an 11-5 triumph on Saturday. It was the Spartans' first series win over the Nittany Lions since 2016, and MSU was going for its first series sweep of any kind over PSU since 2014 and its first series sweep over Penn State in East Lansing since 2011.
However, the Nittany Lions jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the fourth frame. The Spartans rallied with a five-spot on the board in the fourth before plating a pair of runs in the sixth to complete the comeback and tie it up at 7-7, and Michigan State was on threatening to rally from a 7-0 deficit for a Victory for MSU for the first time since April 4, 2021 at Minnesota, rallying from a 7-0 hole after the fifth for a 10-7 comeback win.
PSU and MSU traded runs in the eighth for an 8-8 score, before Penn State scored three runs in the ninth on a three-run home run. The Spartans didn't go quietly into the sunny afternoon, as they rallied with a run in the bottom of the ninth on two hits before the rally and the game came to a close.
"I thought our guys showed a lot of competitiveness, MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "I thought that they stayed in it mentally, it would've been easy to pack in down 7-nothing, but they competed their tails off and I'm proud of them for that. Even in the ninth, we were down three and gave up a three-run home run and that could've taken the wind out of our sails, but we got a couple runners on and pushed one across in the ninth. Again, I'm really happy with the way they competed today, especially after last week, I think they guys did a really nice job of flipping the script after a really bad week last week. Coming in and turning things around to go three and one this week is a testament to those guys."
Michigan State had 10 hits, led by four Spartans posting multiple hits. Junior outfielder Nick Williams was 2-for-2 with three walks, scoring one run and driving in another, while senior outfielders Jack Frank and Greg Ziegler were both 2-for-4 and both scored two runs and both swiped one stolen base apiece, with Frank adding an RBI.
Frank's stolen base was his 17th of the season and 50th of his career, becoming the fifth player in program history with 50 career stolen bases, tying for No. 5 on MSU's career stolen base list with Brandon Hughes (2015-17).
Junior designated hitter Christian Williams was also 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.
Senior infielder Dillon Kark and freshman infielder Ryan McKay added a hit apiece, with McKay posting one run and one RBI, while Kark added a ribbie. Graduate catcher Sam Thompson added a run after reaching on a PSU and an RBI on the play. Sophomore infielder Randy Seymour added a run scored after drawing a walk.
On the mound, senior Nick Ferazzi (3.2 IP, 1 K) started, before being relieved by freshman Garrett Brewer (0.1 IP, 1 K), senior Aaron Mishoulam (3.0 IP, 4 K), sophomore Nolan Higgins (1.0 IP) and freshman Logan Pikur (1.0 IP).
Sunday concluded MSU Heroes Weekend, honoring local heroes including police, fire, EMT, healthcare workers along with active duty and retired military members all weekend long.
Additionally, Sunday's activities featured a Junior Spartan picnic, along with a Junior Spartan joined by Sparty in throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
When the game got going, Penn State burst onto the scoreboard with a four-run third inning with a pair of two-run home runs to right, over the wall and into the Red Cedar River and a 4-0 lead through two-and-a-half innings.
PSU added three more runs in the top of the fourth on another two-run HR by Bobby Marsh, his second in as many innings, and an RBI double, for a 7-0 advantage.
The Spartans came roaring back by hanging a five spot on the board in the home half of the fourth, with three hits, three hits and capitalizing on one Nittany Lion error, with Frank and Kark cracking back-to-back RBI singles down the right field line as MSU closed within, 7-5.
Michigan State's comeback was completed in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases and Seymour scoring on a wild pitch with McKay at bat, and two pitches later McKay lofted a fly ball to left field for the sac fly to bring Frank in to score and tie it up at 7-all heading to the seventh.
After scoreless stanzas on either side of stretching and singing, Penn State scored on an RBI single, but the Spartans countered with their own RBI single by N.Williams, driving in Frank who smacked a one-out double to right center, leveling the game back up at 8-8.
However, the Nittany Lions took an 11-8 lead on a three-run home run by Bryce Molinaro, PSU's fourth homer of the day and all for multiple RBI.
MSU rallied in the ninth with Ziegler leading off with a single to right and C.Williams following with a single through the left side. A double play moved Ziegler to third and erased C.Williams from the basepaths, and Ziegler later scored on a passed ball to pull MSU within 11-9, however a popup ended the Spartans' comeback and the ballgame.
The Spartans do not have any midweek games scheduled due to Finals Week on campus at MSU. Michigan State returns to action by traveling to Columbus, Ohio for a three-game B1G series at Ohio State, Friday-Sunday April 26-28. Friday's opener at OSU's Bill Davis Stadium is slated for a 6 p.m. ET start time, followed by a 2 p.m. first pitch on Saturday before Sunday's series finale at 1 p.m.
MSU returns home to McLane Stadium at Kobs Field to host Notre Dame on Tuesday, May 30, before hosting Michigan in a three-game B1G series, Friday-Sunday, May 3-5.
Fans can follow next weekend's action with "Tickets," "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com.
Michigan State's schedule is subject to change, stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates.
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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.
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 are also on sale through the Spartan Ticket Office.
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.
The loss denied the series sweep, as Michigan State won the series with a 6-5 thrilling Victory for MSU Friday night and an 11-5 triumph on Saturday. It was the Spartans' first series win over the Nittany Lions since 2016, and MSU was going for its first series sweep of any kind over PSU since 2014 and its first series sweep over Penn State in East Lansing since 2011.
However, the Nittany Lions jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the fourth frame. The Spartans rallied with a five-spot on the board in the fourth before plating a pair of runs in the sixth to complete the comeback and tie it up at 7-7, and Michigan State was on threatening to rally from a 7-0 deficit for a Victory for MSU for the first time since April 4, 2021 at Minnesota, rallying from a 7-0 hole after the fifth for a 10-7 comeback win.
PSU and MSU traded runs in the eighth for an 8-8 score, before Penn State scored three runs in the ninth on a three-run home run. The Spartans didn't go quietly into the sunny afternoon, as they rallied with a run in the bottom of the ninth on two hits before the rally and the game came to a close.
"I thought our guys showed a lot of competitiveness, MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "I thought that they stayed in it mentally, it would've been easy to pack in down 7-nothing, but they competed their tails off and I'm proud of them for that. Even in the ninth, we were down three and gave up a three-run home run and that could've taken the wind out of our sails, but we got a couple runners on and pushed one across in the ninth. Again, I'm really happy with the way they competed today, especially after last week, I think they guys did a really nice job of flipping the script after a really bad week last week. Coming in and turning things around to go three and one this week is a testament to those guys."
Michigan State had 10 hits, led by four Spartans posting multiple hits. Junior outfielder Nick Williams was 2-for-2 with three walks, scoring one run and driving in another, while senior outfielders Jack Frank and Greg Ziegler were both 2-for-4 and both scored two runs and both swiped one stolen base apiece, with Frank adding an RBI.
Frank's stolen base was his 17th of the season and 50th of his career, becoming the fifth player in program history with 50 career stolen bases, tying for No. 5 on MSU's career stolen base list with Brandon Hughes (2015-17).
Junior designated hitter Christian Williams was also 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.
Senior infielder Dillon Kark and freshman infielder Ryan McKay added a hit apiece, with McKay posting one run and one RBI, while Kark added a ribbie. Graduate catcher Sam Thompson added a run after reaching on a PSU and an RBI on the play. Sophomore infielder Randy Seymour added a run scored after drawing a walk.
On the mound, senior Nick Ferazzi (3.2 IP, 1 K) started, before being relieved by freshman Garrett Brewer (0.1 IP, 1 K), senior Aaron Mishoulam (3.0 IP, 4 K), sophomore Nolan Higgins (1.0 IP) and freshman Logan Pikur (1.0 IP).
Sunday concluded MSU Heroes Weekend, honoring local heroes including police, fire, EMT, healthcare workers along with active duty and retired military members all weekend long.
Additionally, Sunday's activities featured a Junior Spartan picnic, along with a Junior Spartan joined by Sparty in throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
Thanks to Junior Spartan member Carlos and @TheRealSparty for today's ceremonial first pitch!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) April 21, 2024
A great turnout of Junior Spartan members today for the pre-game picnic!! #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/BQDu3TYACp
When the game got going, Penn State burst onto the scoreboard with a four-run third inning with a pair of two-run home runs to right, over the wall and into the Red Cedar River and a 4-0 lead through two-and-a-half innings.
PSU added three more runs in the top of the fourth on another two-run HR by Bobby Marsh, his second in as many innings, and an RBI double, for a 7-0 advantage.
The Spartans came roaring back by hanging a five spot on the board in the home half of the fourth, with three hits, three hits and capitalizing on one Nittany Lion error, with Frank and Kark cracking back-to-back RBI singles down the right field line as MSU closed within, 7-5.
Jack Frank and Dillon Kark with back-to-back RBI singles!#GoGreen | @JackF_22 @KarkDillon pic.twitter.com/TBwwxZ7nq4
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) April 21, 2024
Michigan State's comeback was completed in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases and Seymour scoring on a wild pitch with McKay at bat, and two pitches later McKay lofted a fly ball to left field for the sac fly to bring Frank in to score and tie it up at 7-all heading to the seventh.
After scoreless stanzas on either side of stretching and singing, Penn State scored on an RBI single, but the Spartans countered with their own RBI single by N.Williams, driving in Frank who smacked a one-out double to right center, leveling the game back up at 8-8.
However, the Nittany Lions took an 11-8 lead on a three-run home run by Bryce Molinaro, PSU's fourth homer of the day and all for multiple RBI.
MSU rallied in the ninth with Ziegler leading off with a single to right and C.Williams following with a single through the left side. A double play moved Ziegler to third and erased C.Williams from the basepaths, and Ziegler later scored on a passed ball to pull MSU within 11-9, however a popup ended the Spartans' comeback and the ballgame.
The Spartans do not have any midweek games scheduled due to Finals Week on campus at MSU. Michigan State returns to action by traveling to Columbus, Ohio for a three-game B1G series at Ohio State, Friday-Sunday April 26-28. Friday's opener at OSU's Bill Davis Stadium is slated for a 6 p.m. ET start time, followed by a 2 p.m. first pitch on Saturday before Sunday's series finale at 1 p.m.
MSU returns home to McLane Stadium at Kobs Field to host Notre Dame on Tuesday, May 30, before hosting Michigan in a three-game B1G series, Friday-Sunday, May 3-5.
Fans can follow next weekend's action with "Tickets," "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com.
Michigan State's schedule is subject to change, stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates.
---------
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.
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 are also on sale through the Spartan Ticket Office.
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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Horwat, Mason (3-1)
L: Higgins, Nolan (1-3)
Batting:
2B: Marr, J.T. 1 ; Cecere, Adam 1
HR: Marsh, Bobby 2 ; Cecere, Adam 1 ; Molinaro, Bryce 1
RBI: Marsh, Bobby 5 ; Cecere, Adam 3 ; Molinaro, Bryce 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Jaconski, Joe 1 ; Marsh, Bobby 2 ; Marr, J.T. 2 ; Cecere, Adam 2 ; Norris, Grant 1 ; Molinaro, Bryce 1 ; Kelley, Tayven 1 ; Hannon, Kyle 1
SB: Marr, J.T. 1 ; Kelley, Tayven 1 ; Hannon, Kyle 1
CS: Hannon, Kyle 1
PO: Hannon, Kyle 1
Batting:
2B: Frank, Jack 1
RBI: Frank, Jack 1 ; Kark, Dillon 1 ; Williams, Nick 1 ; McKay, Ryan 1 ; Williams, Christian 1 ; Thompson, Sam 1
SF: McKay, Ryan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Frank, Jack 2 ; Williams, Nick 1 ; McKay, Ryan 1 ; Ziegler, Greg 2 ; Williams, Christian 1 ; Thompson, Sam 1 ; Seymour, Randy 1
SB: Frank, Jack 1 ; Ziegler, Greg 1 ; Seymour, Randy 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
2
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
LHP
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RHP
/ BaseballOF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
C
/ BaseballC
/ BaseballOF
/ BaseballOF
/ BaseballPursuit to Greatness | Spartans All-Access
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