MSU Baseball Feature: Veteran Relievers Siler And Szczepanski Solidify Spartan Bullpen

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State baseball's bullpen this season consists of both new additions and returning experience, highlighted by relievers Andrew Siler and Tommy Szczepanski.

Siler, a lefty, joined the Spartans as a graduate transfer, after a career plagued with injuries. Szczepanski, a right- handed pitcher, is finishing his third season at Michigan State after transferring from Virginia Tech his freshman year, showing steady improvement on the mound.

Despite their different paths to East Lansing, both veteran relievers have become a great addition not only because of their talent, but also to the atmosphere of the dugout.

"I'm definitely more comfortable and more relaxed out there, stepping up and taking a veteran role, not only does the team and coaches need me, but I want to prove that to myself too," Szczepanski said.

Siler's trip to Michigan State has been defined by adversity. He has struggled with injuries throughout his career, starting at Tiffin University in Ohio. Siler suffered a torn labrum his sophomore year and constant elbow pain. Exploratory surgery followed his junior year, discovering he had been throwing without an Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) since he was 18. Siler had "Tommy John" surgery, and during the recovery process, he kept in touch with MSU assistant coach/pitching coach Mark Van Ameyde through a former player.

Siler walked on to MSU last August. He began marking the last chapter in a long and difficult road back to the mound before fall training started.

Despite only making six appearances so far, Siler's impact reaches beyond his performance on the mound. He has become a source of inspiration in the bullpen by embracing his role as a leader with positivity and a team-first mentality. After years of challenges, Siler feels gratified just by being a member of the program in his last season. He just picked up his first win as a Spartan this past week, and currently has a best ERA on the team at 1.42 entering the stretch run of the season, and knows he has a role and has proven himself when called on out of the bullpen.

"No matter what happens, you don't know unless you try. Being here and this being my last year, I was like 'If I make it and I cannot throw one inning, I can still walk away from baseball more happy than I was the last four years. So to me, it was a matter of like I wanna be here, I don't care if I throw, I just want to be a part of something that's like this, a real program that's had historic figures," the Avon, Ohio native said.

After years of challenges, Siler has embraced a leadership role for the team. That quality has stood out, not only to his fellow teammates, but to the coaching staff as well. MSU baseball head coach Jake Boss Jr. highlighted how he has become a perfect fit for the program.

"He's an easy kid to like, he works hard, he handles his business the right way, he's a good kid that represents our program in a really good way, so that was kind of an easy one," Boss said.

Szczepanski's path to becoming a trusted late-inning reliever came with overcoming a period of inconsistency and varying playing time. His appearances differed from one to the other, making it challenging to establish his role as a reliever on the staff. Over time, he has found greater control and confidence, becoming a dependable presence out of the bullpen in key moments.

Szczepanski is currently third on the Spartans' pitching staff among appearances, coming out of the bullpen 19 times, chalking up 48 strikeouts, which is second on the staff, and is also among the Big Ten Conference leaders with a 14.6 strikeouts/9 innings ratio. For his Spartan career, Szczepanski has made 45 appearances with 90 career strikeouts.

"It's huge, you go from, 'you're not really sure what you're going to get when he goes out there… one inning he looks really good and the next maybe not so good,' to now, where you know you're going to get, and that's not even a concern. When you're consistent like that, that's the biggest thing," Van Ameyde said.

For Szczepanski, the Bay City, Michigan native, coming to MSU meant more than just coming back to his home state.

"One of the reasons I came back was because Michigan State was my first offer ever," the psychology major said.

His decision to return to his home state has given a stronger sense of purpose by going back to a program that first believed in him. That familiarity, combined with a renewed sense of motivation, has helped propel his career in East Lansing.

Boss Jr. has seen that change from Szczepanski, pointing out his willingness to adapt being a key factor in his development over the last three years. These adjustments have helped form glimpses of potential into dependable production.

"I think he understood there were some things he had to do differently to be successful, probably both mentally and mechanically, and he's really bought into it and made some changes that have been very productive for him," Boss Jr. said.

Szczepanski and Siler have quickly become key influences for the younger pitchers on the staff. Their leadership met with their discipline and positive outlook have set a high bar for the younger guys to follow.

"I think how they go about their work, they are kind of like an extension of me, preaching the same things, and it helps with the consistency of the message. And, their work ethic is really good, and they come in with a good attitude too," Van Ameyde said.

Younger players have also praised their different style of leadership, including sophomore right-handed starting pitcher Aidan Donovan adds.

"Tommy is more of a vocal guy, getting on guys, keeping them accountable. Siler is more lead by example, a little quieter, but still you can tell these guys have been through it… especially Siler he's been through a lot of injuries but then also there's all the stuff that he knows… those are both guys everyone can look at," Donovan said while also highlighting how their composure translates on and off the field. "The biggest thing for both of them is when they're out there it doesn't seem like the game is speeding up for them or too big for them. Off the field both of them are great guys to be around, guys that you honestly look up to," he said.

Siler and Szczepanski lead the Spartans into action in their final road trip of the regular-season, heading to Siler's home state, making the trek to Columbus to play at Ohio State this weekend, Friday-Sunday, May 8-10, in the penultimate weekend of the regular-season and final weekend of Michigan State's B1G schedule.

MSU opens the series with OSU at Huntington Park in Columbus, home of the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, on Friday, May 8 at 6 p.m. The Spartans and Buckeyes then play game two of the series on Saturday, May 9 at 3 p.m., before the series finale on Sunday, May 10 at 1 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday's games played on campus at OSU's Bill Davis Stadium.

The Spartans drew their bye in the conference schedule on the final weekend, and will host Illinois State, Thursday-Saturday, May 14-16 in Spartan Senior Celebrations weekend.

MSU'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.

The Michigan State baseball season ticket package, which includes 24 home games at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium, and also single game 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, or fans can visit the MSU Ticket Office in person, located in 1855 Place.

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MSU Baseball Feature: Veteran Relievers Siler And Szczepanski Solidify Spartan Bullpen

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