Friday, May 16
East Lansing, Mich.
6:02 PM
Michigan State University
27-25, 12-17
5
vs
11
Minnesota
24-27, 10-19
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Minnesota
0
0
4
6
0
0
0
0
1
11
15
2
Michigan State
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
2
5
11
2
Photo by: MSU Baseball Social Squad
Michigan State Defeated By Minnesota Friday
5/16/2025 11:59:00 PM | Baseball
Spartans bested by Gophers in game two of final regular-season series.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State baseball was defeated by Minnesota in game two of the final regular-season three-game Big Ten Conference weekend series Friday night at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium.
For the second night in a row, the Gophers scored early and opened a big lead before the Spartans battled back, but the comeback fell short, in an 11-5 final score.
As part of MSU Senior Celebration Weekend, presented by Health Alliance Plan (HAP), MSU is honoring some members of their 2025 Spartan Senior Class, in a pre-game ceremony before each game this weekend, and Friday was the second night of the recognition.
The second group of Spartan seniors recognized included outfielder JT Sokolove, catcher/designated hitter Caleb Berry, pitchers Zach Maxey and Ryan Zimmer, in addition to student manager Garrett Hearl.
It was a group of Spartan seniors that spearheaded the late rally, as Maxey came on in the ninth and chalked up two strikeouts, including an inning and scoring-threat ending third out, as the MSU fans gave him a loud applause off mound and the field.
Senior pinch hitter Christian Williams, one of two fifth-year Spartan seniors, led off the bottom of the ninth, swinging at the first pitch and cracking a single to left center. C.Williams was later lifted for a pinch runner, getting a large ovation from the Spartan faithful. Fellow fifth-year senior, infielder Sam Busch then belted an opposite-field home run down the left field line for the two-run blast and MSU's final score of the night.
It was Busch's 15th home run this seasons, the most by a Spartan since 2002, and now tied for the No. 5 spot on MSU's single-season home run list with Chris McCuiston's 15 in that 2002 season.
Busch also now has 29 career homers, also the most by a Spartan since 2002. He is tied for No. 4 on MSU's career home runs list with Bob Malek (2000-02).
Similar to Thursday's series opener, the Gophers jumped out to an early lead after taking a 3-0 lead in their first at bat Thursday, however not scoring until the third inning Friday night, plating four runs in the frame. Minnesota then broke the game open with a six-run fourth frame for a 10-0 lead.
The Spartans got a run back in the sixth when junior infielder Randy Seymour knocked a one-out double to the gap in left center. Berry then smacked a single up the middle to score Seymour and get the Spartans on the board at 10-1.
MSU made it 10-3 after the seventh-inning stretch, as freshman infielder Dayton Murphy laid down a bunt and reached on a throwing error on the play. Sophomore infielder Ryan McKay then smacked an opposite-field double down the left field line, lacing it just inside third base, which Murphy occupied shortly thereafter.
Three batters later, Seymour laced an infield single and moved to second on a throwing error, driving in McKay and allowing Murphy to score, rolling the scoreboard to read, 10-3.
It stayed that way until the ninth, when the Gophers tacked on a run for an 11-3 advantage, setting the stage for C.Williams and Busch's senior sparks to pull within 11-5 for the final scoring.
Busch finished 1-for-5 with the two RBI and run scored. Seymour ended 3-for-5 with a ribbie and run scored, while McKay was 2-for-5. Both Seymour and McKay knocked doubles to join Busch's HR for extra-base hits.
Berry was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Murphy was 1-for-3 with a run scored, and outfielder Nick Williams was 1-for-5.
On the mound, redshirt-sophomore starter Tate Farquhar went 3.0 IP, spraying seven hits and four runs to go with three Ks, while junior reliever Logan Pikur went 2.0 IP, scattering seven hits, yielding six runs, with one walk. Redshirt-junior Ryan Szczepaniak went 3.1 IP with just one hit and run with two Ks, in his final home game as a Spartan, as he graduated this spring and is going through MSU Senior Weekend Celebrations, presented by HAP.
Fellow graduating Spartan, Maxey, went the final 0.2 IP with the two Ks and no hits or runs.
With Friday's loss, MSU is now 27-25 overall and 12-17 in B1G play, but still in contention for the 12th and final spot in the Big Ten Tournament. Minnesota moves to 24-27 overall and 10-19 in conference competition.
The Spartans and Gophers series along with MSU Senior Weekend Celebrations, presented by HAP, concludes with Saturday's regular-season finale in a 1:02 p.m. start time.
Members of the Spartans' Senior Class will be honored in pre-game ceremonies before each game, so fans are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes early to help celebrate the Spartan seniors.
Saturday is also "517 Day" at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium.
All fans are encouraged to bring non-expired canned food items to support our canned food drive, benefiting the Southside Community Kitchen.
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.
Due to ongoing construction on the Harrison Road bridge over the Red Cedar River, fans are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time for parking this weekend!
For more details visit http://sprtns.co/4jfhR1K.
For the second night in a row, the Gophers scored early and opened a big lead before the Spartans battled back, but the comeback fell short, in an 11-5 final score.
As part of MSU Senior Celebration Weekend, presented by Health Alliance Plan (HAP), MSU is honoring some members of their 2025 Spartan Senior Class, in a pre-game ceremony before each game this weekend, and Friday was the second night of the recognition.
The second group of Spartan seniors recognized included outfielder JT Sokolove, catcher/designated hitter Caleb Berry, pitchers Zach Maxey and Ryan Zimmer, in addition to student manager Garrett Hearl.
It was a group of Spartan seniors that spearheaded the late rally, as Maxey came on in the ninth and chalked up two strikeouts, including an inning and scoring-threat ending third out, as the MSU fans gave him a loud applause off mound and the field.
Senior pinch hitter Christian Williams, one of two fifth-year Spartan seniors, led off the bottom of the ninth, swinging at the first pitch and cracking a single to left center. C.Williams was later lifted for a pinch runner, getting a large ovation from the Spartan faithful. Fellow fifth-year senior, infielder Sam Busch then belted an opposite-field home run down the left field line for the two-run blast and MSU's final score of the night.
It was Busch's 15th home run this seasons, the most by a Spartan since 2002, and now tied for the No. 5 spot on MSU's single-season home run list with Chris McCuiston's 15 in that 2002 season.
Busch also now has 29 career homers, also the most by a Spartan since 2002. He is tied for No. 4 on MSU's career home runs list with Bob Malek (2000-02).
Similar to Thursday's series opener, the Gophers jumped out to an early lead after taking a 3-0 lead in their first at bat Thursday, however not scoring until the third inning Friday night, plating four runs in the frame. Minnesota then broke the game open with a six-run fourth frame for a 10-0 lead.
The Spartans got a run back in the sixth when junior infielder Randy Seymour knocked a one-out double to the gap in left center. Berry then smacked a single up the middle to score Seymour and get the Spartans on the board at 10-1.
MSU made it 10-3 after the seventh-inning stretch, as freshman infielder Dayton Murphy laid down a bunt and reached on a throwing error on the play. Sophomore infielder Ryan McKay then smacked an opposite-field double down the left field line, lacing it just inside third base, which Murphy occupied shortly thereafter.
Three batters later, Seymour laced an infield single and moved to second on a throwing error, driving in McKay and allowing Murphy to score, rolling the scoreboard to read, 10-3.
It stayed that way until the ninth, when the Gophers tacked on a run for an 11-3 advantage, setting the stage for C.Williams and Busch's senior sparks to pull within 11-5 for the final scoring.
Busch finished 1-for-5 with the two RBI and run scored. Seymour ended 3-for-5 with a ribbie and run scored, while McKay was 2-for-5. Both Seymour and McKay knocked doubles to join Busch's HR for extra-base hits.
Berry was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Murphy was 1-for-3 with a run scored, and outfielder Nick Williams was 1-for-5.
On the mound, redshirt-sophomore starter Tate Farquhar went 3.0 IP, spraying seven hits and four runs to go with three Ks, while junior reliever Logan Pikur went 2.0 IP, scattering seven hits, yielding six runs, with one walk. Redshirt-junior Ryan Szczepaniak went 3.1 IP with just one hit and run with two Ks, in his final home game as a Spartan, as he graduated this spring and is going through MSU Senior Weekend Celebrations, presented by HAP.
Fellow graduating Spartan, Maxey, went the final 0.2 IP with the two Ks and no hits or runs.
With Friday's loss, MSU is now 27-25 overall and 12-17 in B1G play, but still in contention for the 12th and final spot in the Big Ten Tournament. Minnesota moves to 24-27 overall and 10-19 in conference competition.
The Spartans and Gophers series along with MSU Senior Weekend Celebrations, presented by HAP, concludes with Saturday's regular-season finale in a 1:02 p.m. start time.
Members of the Spartans' Senior Class will be honored in pre-game ceremonies before each game, so fans are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes early to help celebrate the Spartan seniors.
Saturday is also "517 Day" at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium.
All fans are encouraged to bring non-expired canned food items to support our canned food drive, benefiting the Southside Community Kitchen.
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.
Due to ongoing construction on the Harrison Road bridge over the Red Cedar River, fans are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time for parking this weekend!
For more details visit http://sprtns.co/4jfhR1K.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kyle Remington (2-6)
L: Farquhar, Tate (3-3)
S: Noah Rooney (4)
Batting:
2B: Drew Berkland 1
HR: Charlie Sutherland 1 ; Easton Richter 2 ; Jameson Martin 1
RBI: Charlie Sutherland 2 ; Weber Neels 1 ; Easton Richter 5 ; Jameson Martin 2 ; Jake Larson 1
SF: Jameson Martin 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Josh Fitzgerald 1 ; Drew Berkland 1 ; Charlie Sutherland 2 ; Weber Neels 2 ; Easton Richter 3 ; Jameson Martin 1 ; Jake Perry 1
SB: Josh Fitzgerald 2 ; Drew Berkland 1 ; Easton Richter 1
PO: Drew Berkland 1 ; Jack Spanier 2
Batting:
2B: McKay, Ryan 1 ; Seymour, Randy 1
HR: Busch, Sam 1
RBI: Busch, Sam 2 ; Seymour, Randy 1 ; Berry, Caleb 1
Base Running:
RUNS: McKay, Ryan 1 ; Busch, Sam 1 ; Seymour, Randy 1 ; Murphy, Dayton 1 ; Sturgess, Isaac 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
1
H
3
RBI
1
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
5
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
C
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
C
/ BaseballOF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballPursuit to Greatness | Spartans All-Access
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