Michigan State Spartan Baseball Team "Clash at Comerica" and Series Against Pennsylvania State

The Michigan State Baseball team took another win this season as they played the Central Michigan Chippewas, May 15th at Comerica Park.  This 2nd annual showdown featured excellent plays from both teams, but in the end the Spartans came out victorious with a final score of 5-2.  The Spartans also battled it out with Pennsylvania State this past weekend winning 1 of 3 games in the series.

During the Clash at Comerica game, in the first inning things started out rough for the Spartans as pitcher Mick VanVossen allowed a run base in, allowing Central to take the lead early.  But then in the second, third and fourth innings things came alive for the Spartans.  After Joel Fisher hit a two run-home run, the Spartans got pumped and were determined to win.  By the end of the 4th the score stood 5-1 in favor of the Spartans.

Many excellent attempts were tried by the Spartans later in the game, and many times players made it to third base, but unfortunately they never made it to home again.  Central had a lone home run in the 7th, but the Spartans did not allow any more runs after that.

The Chippewas had just come off a 10 game winning streak.  Say good-bye to that streak Chips, because the Spartans are on a roll this season.

Unfortunately the Spartans lost their games on Thursday and Friday of this past week, but won the most important game on Saturday, with a final score of 9-2.  This was a perfect day for the Spartans to bring out a big win, because it was Senior Day at McLane Baseball Stadium and the last game of the regular season. The Spartans finished this season claiming a no. 5 seed in the Big Ten Tournament.

Spartan senior co-captain and shortstop Justin Scanlon was very happy with the results of today’s game, saying, “It couldn’t have been more perfect. It’s a great day to cap everything off. …I couldn’t have dreamed of a better outcome.”

Sophomore David Garner was a perfect pitching choice once again for the Spartans, allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits in 6 1/3 innings. Garner tied his career high of 9 strike-outs and improved to 4-1 as a starting pitcher in the Big Ten.

But things were not looking so good in the first inning of play for the Spartans (I can’t help but notice this has been a pretty common thing for the Spartans). Penn State took a 2 run lead in the first, and the score stood 2-0 going into the second. But then MSU came back with vengeance in the second, as Anthony Cheky drove two men in with a two-run double. After the second inning the score stood 3-2 in favor of the Spartans.

Garner did not allow any more runs the entire time he was pitching, while the Spartans managed to grab 6 more runs, to set the final score 9-2. During the entire game Michigan State collected 10 hits, while they only allowed Penn State to have 3.

Now the Spartans will take on fourth seeded Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament, which will be held at Hunnington Park in downtown Columbus. Be sure to watch the Spartans as they go for the Big Ten title this weekend on the Big Ten Network.

Congratulations on a great regular season (35-19) Michigan State Baseball!