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Michigan State’s Big Ten Season started off with a bang. Actually, quite a few bangs.
The Spartans made quick work of the Fighting Illini during their double-header Friday, hanging 12 runs on Illinois in BOTH games while holding Illinois to only five total.
Spartans complete the three-game sweep over Illinois for first time in series history with 12-4, 12-1 and 17-6 wins! #V4MSU #GoGreen
— Michigan St Baseball (@statebaseball) March 26, 2017
MSU then picked up right where they left off Sunday. Michigan State hit 8 homers —the most in a single game in college baseball this season — led by Junior Brandon Hughes who went off for three home runs, three hits, and seven RBI. The Spartans rolled to a 17-6 victory.
The Spartans continue to tear the cover off the ball. The run total for the weekend was 41-11 (an absolutely ridiculous margin) and nine of MSU’s 15 wins have come by double-digits. Michigan State is now 15-5 overall and 3-0 in Big Ten play, they sit atop the conference and have the best overall winning percentage in the league (.750).
Spartans Staying The Course
Spartans smash 8 home runs in 17-6 Victory for MSU over Illinois to complete sweep. The 8 HRs is most in a @NCAACWS game this season. #V4MSU pic.twitter.com/N9OSwi3Frs
— Michigan St Baseball (@statebaseball) March 26, 2017
Five different Spartans — Marty Bechina, Dan Durkin, Alex Troop, Dan Chmielewski and Hughes, who hit three — hit home runs in Sunday’s 17-6 victory over Illinois. Michigan State is now 33rd in the country for team batting average (.306) and 8th in the nation for runs scored per game (8.7).
The Spartans are really hitting their stride now with their fourth double digit win in a row and it doesn’t look like this team is going to be slowing down anytime soon.
- Alex Troop (P/1B): .387 (12-31), 4 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI
- Bryce Kelley (OF/P): .350 (7-20), 1 2B, 1 3B, 5 RBI
- Marty Bechina (3B): .342 (26-76), 3 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 17 RBI
- Brandon Hughes (CF): .329 (28-85), 4 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 19 RBI
Honorable mentions for this week include: Dan Durkin, Dan Chmielewski, Royce Ando.
Quick Takeaways
- Everyone knows how ridiculous it would be if the Spartans kept up this kind of offensive production — in baseball it just isn’t feasible — so where will Michigan State land when they cool down?
- The Spartans want to take the Big Ten by storm, surely they’ve raised some eyebrows around the league after this weekend.
- Michigan State’s pitching continues to get better as their team ERA just dropped significantly (3.36).
Next Series
The Spartans go back home to East Lansing for the next four games, their first opponent will be Western Michigan tomorrow, Tuesday March 28th at 3:05 p.m.