The Spartans were scheduled to open a three-game series on Friday against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but due to some terrible weather (thanks Michigan!), the game was rescheduled for Saturday. Unfortunately, the teams only got one game in before the second was canceled because of cold temperatures.

With the series victory, Michigan State improves to 9-19 overall and 3-5 in Big Ten play. Nebraska slid to 14-16 (2-6 B1G) and suffered their fourth loss in a row.

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Game One

The Spartan Baseball team exploded for a 17-5 victory over the Cornhuskers in the first game of what was supposed to be a doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

Michigan State came out of the gates strong, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first, batting around and taking advantage of some critical errors committed by Nebraska.

The Cornhuskers came roaring back in the fifth inning after plating three runs thanks to a two-run single by the center fielder, Ben Klenke.

The Spartans blew the game wide open in the bottom of the seventh inning. First, King and Roskelly got on base with back-to-back singles. Then Marty Bechina hit a bases-clearing double.

Shortly after, Bechina and Proctor scored on a throwing error committed by Nebraska that allowed Bryce Kelley to reach third.

Later on, Zach McGuire, Bechina, King, and Gleaves all played a big part in driving multiple runs home during the same inning, giving the Spartans a 15-4 lead.

Michigan State decided they weren’t entirely done yet and scored two more runs during the home half of the eighth inning and won, 17-5.

Game Two

Nebraska scored two runs in the first inning to start the contest, giving themselves an early 2-0 lead.

The Spartans would quickly cut their lead in half during the bottom of the first with an RBI single that was hit by Zach McGuire. Michigan State was able to tie the game at two runs apiece during the second inning because a wild pitch was thrown by Nebraska which led to Chad Roskelly scoring.

The tie was short lived as Nebraska retook the lead in the top half of the third inning with a leadoff home run.

Michigan State came back in the seventh inning to tie the game (again), and then took their first lead in the bottom of the eighth. Roskelly started the inning off with a leadoff single before the Spartans scored two more runs because of another errant throw, putting MSU ahead 5-3.

The Cornhuskers threatened to take the lead back in the ninth with the bases loaded, two outs, and Riley McCauley on the mound, but the rally was cut short by a flyout to end the game.

Spartans Staying The Course

This weekend redshirt-freshman Mason Erla pitched 5.0 innings, gave up four hits, allowed three earned runs, and struck out four batters.

Jake Lowery and Riley McCauley combined for four innings pitched, three hits, three walks, and three strikeouts.

During Saturday’s game, Ethan Landon finished his day with five innings pitched, seven hits allowed, four earned runs, four walks, and one strikeout. Mitchell Tyranski came in as his relief for the day and pitched four innings with one earned run and nine strikeouts.

Here are the Spartans top four guys:

• Mitchell Tyranski: ERA — 1.14, 1-1, 23.2 IP, 13 H, 3 ER, 28 SO
• Mason Erla: ERA — 2.61, 4-1, 41.1 IP, 30 H, 12 ER, 34 SO
• Ethan Landon: ERA — 3.40, 1-5, 50.1 IP, 49 H, 19 ER, 45 SO
• Riley McCauley: ERA — 5.03, 1-4, 39.1 IP, 42 H, 22 ER, 36 SO

Next Series

Michigan State is slated to play Notre Dame later on today at 3:05 p.m. It is a nationally televised game on ESPNU.