Michigan State University Athletics
Thursday, May 14
6:02 PM
Michigan State University
21-30
10
vs
0
Illinois State
32-21
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Michigan State | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | X | 10 | 12 | 0 |
Photo by: Erin Grady/MSU Athletic Communications
Michigan State Blanks Illinois State In 10-0 Run-Rule Victory For MSU Thursday Night
5/14/2026 10:42:00 PM | Baseball
Coach Boss ties Danny Litwhiler for No. 2 on MSU’s coaching wins list as Spartans shutout Redbirds in 7-inning run-rule route in first and lone Thursday game of regular season.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State baseball was clicking on all cylinders on the way to a 10-0 7-inning, run-rule Victory for MSU over Illinois State Thursday night at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium in the opening game of a three-game non-conference weekend series.
With Thursday's win, Spartan baseball head coach Jake Boss Jr. tied Danny Litwhiler for No. 2 on MSU's coaching wins list with 489 wins. John Kobs holds the top spot with 576 wins.
Michigan State drew its bye in the Big Ten Conference schedule on the final weekend, and is hosting Illinois State from the Missouri Valley Conference, as the Redbirds also had a bye in their league schedule, this weekend in a three-game weekend series.
MSU got the weekend going in grand style with the run-rule rout, scoring its 10 runs on 12 hits. The Spartans proved that math is everywhere in scoring in sequential order with one run in the second, two in the third, three in the fifth and four in the sixth.
Four Michigan State pitchers combined for the shutout, MSU's second of the season, with the previous blanking also coming in a series-opener at home, back on March 20 vs. Iowa with a 2-0 Spartan triumph.
"Tonight was one of our most complete games of the season in all three phases of offense, defense and pitching," Boss said. "We were clicking on all cylinders, and I especially thought our pitching was phenomenal tonight."
Michigan State's pitching staff held Illinois State to just four hits Thursday night, as the Redbirds came into the weekend leading the MVC and ranking 13th in the NCAA in total hits with 556, averaging nearly 11 hits per game (10.7), and also leading their league and ranking 31st in the nation in team batting average at .306, but were stymied to just .160 on Thursday night.
ISU's four hits were its second-lowest of the season, as the Redbirds were shut out for the fourth time, including the second by a Big Ten foe, joining an 11-0 loss at home vs. Iowa on March 24, but the third time on the road, along with a 4-0 loss at Evansville on March 28 and a 1-0 loss at Murray State on April 18.
Along with only allowing four hits, the four Spartan pitchers combined for seven strikeouts and no walks, along with only allowing one Redbird baserunner to advance past first.
Sophomore starter Aidan Donovan fired three Ks and yielded just two hits in 3.0 IP, before senior Andrew Siler came on with 1.0 frame of work with two Ks and two hits. Junior reliever Ben Kochany logged two Ks in 2.1 IP of no-hit baseball, earning his second win in as many outings. Fellow junior reliever Gannon Grundman came on in the top of the seventh for a lefty-lefty match-up and got the final two outs to seal the run-rule Victory for MSU.
At the plate, sophomore designated hitter Isaac Sturgess tied a season-high with three hits, logging two RBI and two runs scored.
Junior outfielder Parker Picot was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI, while graduate catcher Noah Bright joined in the group of Spartans with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Senior outfielder Nick Williams went 1-for-3 with a run scored. Williams extended his hitting streak to 11-straight games, while Picot's streak moved to nine games.
Sophomore outfielder Khamaree Thomas was 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, senior infielder Randy Seymour was 1-for-3 with two RBI, and freshman infielder CJ Deckinga was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Junior infielder Ryan McKay added an RBI on a groundout.
Bright, Picot, Sturgess and Deckinga all knocked doubles for MSU, with Sturgess knocking his to right center, while the other three Spartans smacked theirs down the left field line.
Picot sparked the opening Spartan scoring rally with a leadoff walk to start the second stanza. Sturgess then teamed with Picot for a perfectly executed hit-and-run, showing bunt, then pulling back and slapping a chopper through the ISU defense and Picot scampered around to third base. Seymour followed with a deep lineout to center for a sacrifice fly RBI to plate Picot and give the Spartans the early 1-0 lead.
The home team tacked on two run in the third as Bright belted his double down the left field line. Thomas reached on an ISU error allowing Bright to come around and score. Picot then pelted his double down the line into the corner in left to drive in Thomas and put MSU on top, 3-0.
Thomas ignited the rally in the fifth with a one-out single, then Picot knocked an infield single to short. Sturgess followed with a single to left center to drive in Thomas. Seymour then singled to left to fill the bases full of Spartans. Deckinga drew a bases-loaded RBI walk to plate Picot, then McKay grounded out but drove in Sturgess to extend the home team's advantage to 6-0.
Williams extended his hitting streak with a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth, then Bright singled through the right side as Williams lept over the ball on his around second and darting to third. Thomas then followed with a deep fly ball down the left field line for a flyout, but deep enough for Williams to scoot home for the sac fly and first run of the inning and seventh of the game.
Picot then slapped a single to right center and Bright dashed around to third. Sturgess was up next and he blasted a drive high and deep to right center, for a double as ISU's outfielders adjusted to the Spartans' home hill advantage in right field, to bring in Bright, and a throwing error on the relay on the play allowed Picot to score and advance Sturgess to third. Seymour followed with a groundout to the pitcher, to plate Sturgess for the 10-0 Spartan lead.
Kochany and Grundman combined to shutdown the Redbird bats in the ninth to secure the shutout and run-rule Victory for MSU.
Michigan State and Illinois State return to the diamond on Friday with a 6:02 p.m. first pitch, with Saturday's regular-season finale slated for a 1:02 p.m. first pitch, with pre-game Spartan Senior Celebrations recognitions before both games.
Michigan State's schedule is subject to change, fans can stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates, along with follow action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links where available.
Michigan State baseball tickets for games at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium, 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, or fans can visit the MSU Ticket Office in person, located in 1855 Place.
With Thursday's win, Spartan baseball head coach Jake Boss Jr. tied Danny Litwhiler for No. 2 on MSU's coaching wins list with 489 wins. John Kobs holds the top spot with 576 wins.
Michigan State drew its bye in the Big Ten Conference schedule on the final weekend, and is hosting Illinois State from the Missouri Valley Conference, as the Redbirds also had a bye in their league schedule, this weekend in a three-game weekend series.
MSU got the weekend going in grand style with the run-rule rout, scoring its 10 runs on 12 hits. The Spartans proved that math is everywhere in scoring in sequential order with one run in the second, two in the third, three in the fifth and four in the sixth.
Four Michigan State pitchers combined for the shutout, MSU's second of the season, with the previous blanking also coming in a series-opener at home, back on March 20 vs. Iowa with a 2-0 Spartan triumph.
"Tonight was one of our most complete games of the season in all three phases of offense, defense and pitching," Boss said. "We were clicking on all cylinders, and I especially thought our pitching was phenomenal tonight."
4 Spartan pitchers combined for shutout Thursday!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) May 15, 2026
*MSU's pitching staff held Illinois State to just 4 hits Thursday night!
*Redbirds came into weekend leading MVC + ranking 13th in NCAA in total hits (556), averaging nearly 11 hits per game (10.7)!#GoGreen | @donovanaidan22 pic.twitter.com/u1piENefqc
Michigan State's pitching staff held Illinois State to just four hits Thursday night, as the Redbirds came into the weekend leading the MVC and ranking 13th in the NCAA in total hits with 556, averaging nearly 11 hits per game (10.7), and also leading their league and ranking 31st in the nation in team batting average at .306, but were stymied to just .160 on Thursday night.
ISU's four hits were its second-lowest of the season, as the Redbirds were shut out for the fourth time, including the second by a Big Ten foe, joining an 11-0 loss at home vs. Iowa on March 24, but the third time on the road, along with a 4-0 loss at Evansville on March 28 and a 1-0 loss at Murray State on April 18.
Along with only allowing four hits, the four Spartan pitchers combined for seven strikeouts and no walks, along with only allowing one Redbird baserunner to advance past first.
Sophomore starter Aidan Donovan fired three Ks and yielded just two hits in 3.0 IP, before senior Andrew Siler came on with 1.0 frame of work with two Ks and two hits. Junior reliever Ben Kochany logged two Ks in 2.1 IP of no-hit baseball, earning his second win in as many outings. Fellow junior reliever Gannon Grundman came on in the top of the seventh for a lefty-lefty match-up and got the final two outs to seal the run-rule Victory for MSU.
VICTORY FOR MSU!!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) May 15, 2026
Final score:
Michigan State 10, Illinois State 0 (7 inn.)
High fives & handshakes alllll around as Spartans open non-conf series w/ W over Redbirds!
With today's win, Coach Boss ties Danny Litwhiler for No. 2 on MSU Wins List at 489 wins!!#VictoryForMSU pic.twitter.com/vjJJznMlEt
At the plate, sophomore designated hitter Isaac Sturgess tied a season-high with three hits, logging two RBI and two runs scored.
Highlights and interviews!!
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) May 15, 2026
Check out highlights from tonight's 10-0, 7-inn. run-rule Victory for MSU over Illinois State + Isaac Sturgess chats w/ @DaphneBochenek of @BigTenPlus about his solid outing with ssn-high tying 3 hits, w/ 2 RBI & 2 R!!#GoGreen | @sturgess_isaac pic.twitter.com/DpO18X1LIS
Junior outfielder Parker Picot was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI, while graduate catcher Noah Bright joined in the group of Spartans with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Senior outfielder Nick Williams went 1-for-3 with a run scored. Williams extended his hitting streak to 11-straight games, while Picot's streak moved to nine games.
11 straight games with a base hit for senior Nick Williams!👏
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) May 14, 2026
Nick Williams extends his hitting streak to 11 games with this 6th inning single!#GoGreen | @NicklasWilliam1 pic.twitter.com/dt8LUHfIXm
Sophomore outfielder Khamaree Thomas was 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, senior infielder Randy Seymour was 1-for-3 with two RBI, and freshman infielder CJ Deckinga was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Junior infielder Ryan McKay added an RBI on a groundout.
Bright, Picot, Sturgess and Deckinga all knocked doubles for MSU, with Sturgess knocking his to right center, while the other three Spartans smacked theirs down the left field line.
Picot sparked the opening Spartan scoring rally with a leadoff walk to start the second stanza. Sturgess then teamed with Picot for a perfectly executed hit-and-run, showing bunt, then pulling back and slapping a chopper through the ISU defense and Picot scampered around to third base. Seymour followed with a deep lineout to center for a sacrifice fly RBI to plate Picot and give the Spartans the early 1-0 lead.
The home team tacked on two run in the third as Bright belted his double down the left field line. Thomas reached on an ISU error allowing Bright to come around and score. Picot then pelted his double down the line into the corner in left to drive in Thomas and put MSU on top, 3-0.
Thomas ignited the rally in the fifth with a one-out single, then Picot knocked an infield single to short. Sturgess followed with a single to left center to drive in Thomas. Seymour then singled to left to fill the bases full of Spartans. Deckinga drew a bases-loaded RBI walk to plate Picot, then McKay grounded out but drove in Sturgess to extend the home team's advantage to 6-0.
Williams extended his hitting streak with a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth, then Bright singled through the right side as Williams lept over the ball on his around second and darting to third. Thomas then followed with a deep fly ball down the left field line for a flyout, but deep enough for Williams to scoot home for the sac fly and first run of the inning and seventh of the game.
Picot then slapped a single to right center and Bright dashed around to third. Sturgess was up next and he blasted a drive high and deep to right center, for a double as ISU's outfielders adjusted to the Spartans' home hill advantage in right field, to bring in Bright, and a throwing error on the relay on the play allowed Picot to score and advance Sturgess to third. Seymour followed with a groundout to the pitcher, to plate Sturgess for the 10-0 Spartan lead.
Kochany and Grundman combined to shutdown the Redbird bats in the ninth to secure the shutout and run-rule Victory for MSU.
Michigan State and Illinois State return to the diamond on Friday with a 6:02 p.m. first pitch, with Saturday's regular-season finale slated for a 1:02 p.m. first pitch, with pre-game Spartan Senior Celebrations recognitions before both games.
Michigan State's schedule is subject to change, fans can stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates, along with follow action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links where available.
Michigan State baseball tickets for games at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium, 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, or fans can visit the MSU Ticket Office in person, located in 1855 Place.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kochany, Ben (2-0)
L: Cormier, Carson (4-2)
Base Running:
HBP: Coakley, Kannon 1
Batting:
2B: Bright, Noah 1 ; Picot, Parker 1 ; Sturgess, Isaac 1 ; Deckinga, CJ 1
RBI: Thomas, Khamaree 1 ; Picot, Parker 1 ; Sturgess, Isaac 2 ; Seymour, Randy 2 ; Deckinga, CJ 1 ; McKay, Ryan 1
SF: Thomas, Khamaree 1 ; Seymour, Randy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Williams, Nick 1 ; Bright, Noah 2 ; Thomas, Khamaree 2 ; Picot, Parker 3 ; Sturgess, Isaac 2
HBP: Williams, Nick 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
3
H
3
RBI
1
AB
4
R
2
H
3
RBI
2
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
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