Sunday, March 23
State College, Pa.
1:02 PM
Michigan State University
16-7, 3-3
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(RV) Penn State
16-7, 5-4
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Photo by: Jeremy Fleming
Spartans Double Up Nittany Lions, 10-5, Sunday To Win Series
3/23/2025 6:44:00 PM | Baseball
MSU posts first series win at University Park since 2016.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Michigan State baseball clinched its first Big Ten Conference series win of the season and its first win at Penn State since 2016 with a 10-5 win over the Nittany Lions on Sunday afternoon at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
MSU won the series after winning Friday's series opener, 4-0, before the Nittany Lions came back with an 11-5 win over the Spartans on Saturday, in which MSU had a 5-1 lead, but relinquished the lead and were overtaken by PSU.
Sunday was a different story as Michigan State had solid performances in all facets of the game.
"We challenged our guys last night after the game and then again this morning, just out of how to finish games and what that would look like, and what that would look like defensively, offensively and on the mound," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "And to their credit, they went out and did that today. I thought we played a complete nine innings today, which was fun to see."
The Spartans improved to 16-7 overall on the season and 3-3 in B1G play through two road conference series. Penn State is also 16-7 overall and 5-4 in league action.
MSU's series win was its first at University Park since taking 2-of-3 in 2016, after losing the last three series there. Friday's win snapped a six-game losing skid at PSU for the Spartans. Michigan State has now won the last two series vs. Penn State overall, winning last season's three-game series in East Lansing.
This weekend's series win was the first by the visiting team in the last four, after the home team had won the previous three series.
MSU rapped out 10 hits to score its 10 runs, and also drew 10 walks.
Sophomore infielder Ryan McKay was 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Graduate catcher Caleb Berry and senior infielder Sam Busch joined McKay with multiple hits as Berry was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, while Busch was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Senior infielder Will Shannon was 1-for-2 with two runs scored, drawing three walks. Senior infielder Jacob Anderson was also 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored, adding a sacrifice fly. Senior outfielder JT Sokolove was 1-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Junior outfielders Jake Dresselhouse and Parker Picot joined Shannon in drawing multiple walks, as they had two apiece, while Sokolove, McKay and senior outfielder Nick Williams all had one apiece.
Sokolove and Busch notched the Spartans' extra-base hits each with a double, while Sokolove and junior infielder Randy Seymour each had a sacrifice hit.
"I think it was a pretty consistent approach offensively all day long, and I thought we made some productive outs and we got some big hits when we needed them," Boss said. "Defensively, I thought we managed the game pretty well. I thought we took our outs when we had our opportunities, we made one error late, but that didn't cost us, so we were pretty consistent there."
Spartan sophomore pitcher Gannon Grundman made his first start of the season and second of his career, going 3.0 IP, scattering three hits while ringing up two strikeouts in allowing one run and two walks. Sophomore reliever Logan Pikur came on and went 3.1 IP, spraying five hits while yielding two runs and one walk, and striking out two. Sophomore Tate Farquhar game out after Pikur got in a bit of a jam, finishing with 0.2 IP, with two hits, one run and one K. Senior closer Tyler Horvath took over to open the eighth and got a two-inning save, with 2.0 IP, with two hits, one run and two Ks, inducing a flyout to Sokolove in center to end the game. Pikur earned the win, moving to 1-1 on the season, while Horvath picked up his second save of the weekend after coming on in Friday's shutout win, and his third of the week, also earning a save in Wednesday's win over Oakland. Horvath now has five saves on the season.
"On the mound, it was more of the same, I thought we made some big pitches in big spots when we needed to. Penn State is a very good offensive team, and I thought all four guys that pitched today all contributed to a really good road win," Boss said.
Just as they had done in the first two games of the series, the Spartans scored first again on Sunday in the series finale, and MSU is now 14-5 when scoring first. Busch singled through the right side to lead off the frame. Seymour followed with a sac bunt to advance Busch to second. Shannon and Picot drew back-to-back walks to fill the bases full of Green & White.
Dresselhouse then followed suite with a walk of his own, bringing Busch in to score for a 1-0 Spartan lead. Anderson then flew out to center for a sacrifice fly to drive in Shannon for a 2-0 MSU advantage in the top of the second.
The Nittany Lions cut the Spartan lead in half with a run in the home half of the second, cashing in on a leadoff double, and later an RBI single to close to 2-1.
That remained the score until the fifth inning. Anderson led off with a single up the middle, preceding a Sokolove walk. McKay then followed with a single to left center to drive in Anderson, and Berry was up next, knocking an RBI single through the right side to score Sokolove. After a PSU pitching change, Busch knocked a double to right to drive in McKay. Seymour was up next, and recorded an RBI groundout, driving in Berry for MSU's fourth run of the frame and a 6-1 Spartan advantage.
Penn State closed to 6-4 with three runs after the seventh inning stretch, before Farquhar rang up an inning and rally-ending strikeout.
That would be the closest the Nittany Lions would get, as N.Williams led off the eighth with a walk and later came in to score on another RBI single by Berry to give the Spartans some breathing room at 7-4.
MSU broke the game open with a rally in the ninth. Shannon led off with a walk, and two batters later Dresselhouse drew a walk of his own. Two batters after that, Sokolove laced a double to the gap in left center to drive in both Shannon and Dresselhouse. McKay followed with another RBI single to drive in Sokolove and walkie-talkie in the Spartans' 10-4 lead.
Penn State didn't go quietly into the chilly, grey University Park afternoon, knocking a leadoff single, before Horvath induced a flyout and chalked up a strikeout. A fielding error allowed one run to score, but Horvath slammed the door on any Nittany Lion rally ideas by inducing a flyout to Sokolove in center for the final out to seal the Victory For MSU as Horvath picked up his third save of the week.
Michigan State's next game is at Notre Dame on Wednesday, March 26, in a first pitch now at 6 p.m. that will be televised on the ACC Network.
The Spartans return home to host Illinois in their B1G home opening weekend series at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium, Friday-Sunday, March 28-30 at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium. First pitch in the series opener is slated for 3:32 p.m. on Friday, March 28, followed by game two's start time of 3:32 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. The series finale on Sunday, March 30 has a 1:02 p.m. first pitch.
MSU's schedule is subject to change, fans can stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates, along with follow this weekend's action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links where available.
Michigan State baseball tickets are available online at msuspartans.evenue.net, by contacting the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information.
MSU won the series after winning Friday's series opener, 4-0, before the Nittany Lions came back with an 11-5 win over the Spartans on Saturday, in which MSU had a 5-1 lead, but relinquished the lead and were overtaken by PSU.
Sunday was a different story as Michigan State had solid performances in all facets of the game.
"We challenged our guys last night after the game and then again this morning, just out of how to finish games and what that would look like, and what that would look like defensively, offensively and on the mound," MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. "And to their credit, they went out and did that today. I thought we played a complete nine innings today, which was fun to see."
The Spartans improved to 16-7 overall on the season and 3-3 in B1G play through two road conference series. Penn State is also 16-7 overall and 5-4 in league action.
MSU's series win was its first at University Park since taking 2-of-3 in 2016, after losing the last three series there. Friday's win snapped a six-game losing skid at PSU for the Spartans. Michigan State has now won the last two series vs. Penn State overall, winning last season's three-game series in East Lansing.
This weekend's series win was the first by the visiting team in the last four, after the home team had won the previous three series.
MSU rapped out 10 hits to score its 10 runs, and also drew 10 walks.
Sophomore infielder Ryan McKay was 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Graduate catcher Caleb Berry and senior infielder Sam Busch joined McKay with multiple hits as Berry was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, while Busch was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Senior infielder Will Shannon was 1-for-2 with two runs scored, drawing three walks. Senior infielder Jacob Anderson was also 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored, adding a sacrifice fly. Senior outfielder JT Sokolove was 1-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Junior outfielders Jake Dresselhouse and Parker Picot joined Shannon in drawing multiple walks, as they had two apiece, while Sokolove, McKay and senior outfielder Nick Williams all had one apiece.
Sokolove and Busch notched the Spartans' extra-base hits each with a double, while Sokolove and junior infielder Randy Seymour each had a sacrifice hit.
"I think it was a pretty consistent approach offensively all day long, and I thought we made some productive outs and we got some big hits when we needed them," Boss said. "Defensively, I thought we managed the game pretty well. I thought we took our outs when we had our opportunities, we made one error late, but that didn't cost us, so we were pretty consistent there."
Spartan sophomore pitcher Gannon Grundman made his first start of the season and second of his career, going 3.0 IP, scattering three hits while ringing up two strikeouts in allowing one run and two walks. Sophomore reliever Logan Pikur came on and went 3.1 IP, spraying five hits while yielding two runs and one walk, and striking out two. Sophomore Tate Farquhar game out after Pikur got in a bit of a jam, finishing with 0.2 IP, with two hits, one run and one K. Senior closer Tyler Horvath took over to open the eighth and got a two-inning save, with 2.0 IP, with two hits, one run and two Ks, inducing a flyout to Sokolove in center to end the game. Pikur earned the win, moving to 1-1 on the season, while Horvath picked up his second save of the weekend after coming on in Friday's shutout win, and his third of the week, also earning a save in Wednesday's win over Oakland. Horvath now has five saves on the season.
"On the mound, it was more of the same, I thought we made some big pitches in big spots when we needed to. Penn State is a very good offensive team, and I thought all four guys that pitched today all contributed to a really good road win," Boss said.
Just as they had done in the first two games of the series, the Spartans scored first again on Sunday in the series finale, and MSU is now 14-5 when scoring first. Busch singled through the right side to lead off the frame. Seymour followed with a sac bunt to advance Busch to second. Shannon and Picot drew back-to-back walks to fill the bases full of Green & White.
Dresselhouse then followed suite with a walk of his own, bringing Busch in to score for a 1-0 Spartan lead. Anderson then flew out to center for a sacrifice fly to drive in Shannon for a 2-0 MSU advantage in the top of the second.
The Nittany Lions cut the Spartan lead in half with a run in the home half of the second, cashing in on a leadoff double, and later an RBI single to close to 2-1.
That remained the score until the fifth inning. Anderson led off with a single up the middle, preceding a Sokolove walk. McKay then followed with a single to left center to drive in Anderson, and Berry was up next, knocking an RBI single through the right side to score Sokolove. After a PSU pitching change, Busch knocked a double to right to drive in McKay. Seymour was up next, and recorded an RBI groundout, driving in Berry for MSU's fourth run of the frame and a 6-1 Spartan advantage.
Penn State closed to 6-4 with three runs after the seventh inning stretch, before Farquhar rang up an inning and rally-ending strikeout.
That would be the closest the Nittany Lions would get, as N.Williams led off the eighth with a walk and later came in to score on another RBI single by Berry to give the Spartans some breathing room at 7-4.
MSU broke the game open with a rally in the ninth. Shannon led off with a walk, and two batters later Dresselhouse drew a walk of his own. Two batters after that, Sokolove laced a double to the gap in left center to drive in both Shannon and Dresselhouse. McKay followed with another RBI single to drive in Sokolove and walkie-talkie in the Spartans' 10-4 lead.
Penn State didn't go quietly into the chilly, grey University Park afternoon, knocking a leadoff single, before Horvath induced a flyout and chalked up a strikeout. A fielding error allowed one run to score, but Horvath slammed the door on any Nittany Lion rally ideas by inducing a flyout to Sokolove in center for the final out to seal the Victory For MSU as Horvath picked up his third save of the week.
Michigan State's next game is at Notre Dame on Wednesday, March 26, in a first pitch now at 6 p.m. that will be televised on the ACC Network.
The Spartans return home to host Illinois in their B1G home opening weekend series at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium, Friday-Sunday, March 28-30 at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium. First pitch in the series opener is slated for 3:32 p.m. on Friday, March 28, followed by game two's start time of 3:32 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. The series finale on Sunday, March 30 has a 1:02 p.m. first pitch.
MSU's schedule is subject to change, fans can stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates, along with follow this weekend's action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links where available.
Michigan State baseball tickets are available online at msuspartans.evenue.net, by contacting the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Pikur, Logan (1-1)
L: Olson, Logan (0-1)
S: Horvath, Tyler (5)
Batting:
2B: Sokolove, JT 1 ; Busch, Sam 1
RBI: Sokolove, JT 2 ; McKay, Ryan 2 ; Berry, Caleb 2 ; Busch, Sam 1 ; Seymour, Randy 1 ; Dresselhouse, Jake 1 ; Anderson, Jacob 1
SH: Sokolove, JT 1 ; Seymour, Randy 1
SF: Anderson, Jacob 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sokolove, JT 2 ; McKay, Ryan 1 ; Berry, Caleb 1 ; Busch, Sam 1 ; Shannon, Will 2 ; Dresselhouse, Jake 1 ; Anderson, Jacob 1 ; Williams, Nick 1
CS: McKay, Ryan 1
HBP: Berry, Caleb 1
Batting:
2B: Kling, Paxton 1 ; Jaconski, Joe 2
RBI: Molinaro, Bryce 1 ; Jaconski, Joe 1 ; Porter, Jack 1 ; Voss, Nate 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Weingartner, Ryan 1 ; Kling, Paxton 2 ; Molinaro, Bryce 1 ; Jaconski, Joe 1
SB: Weingartner, Ryan 1 ; Kling, Paxton 1 ; Voss, Nate 1
Game Leaders
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RBI
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AB
4
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1
H
2
RBI
2
AB
4
R
2
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
INF
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LHP
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/ Baseball
RHP
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/ Baseball
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/ BaseballOF
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/ BaseballPursuit to Greatness | Spartans All-Access
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