Erin Grady
The Michigan State baseball team returned home to East Lansing for its home opener at McLane Stadium this afternoon with a strong performance, defeating the Evansville Purple Aces 11-3.
The Spartans failed to waste any time getting on the board, scoring three runs in the first inning on an RBI double from freshman Ryan McKay. Third baseman Dillon Kark padded onto the lead with a two-run double.
Michigan State would continue its offensive onslaught in the bottom of the fifth, scoring five runs and highlighted by a towering three-run home run to right field by left fielder Nick Williams.
“It was important for us to try to get off on an aggressive note,” Williams said.
Michigan State starting pitcher Joseph Dzierwa dazzled today, going seven and one-third innings with eight strikeouts on two runs and three hits while improving his record to 2-1 on the season.
Redshirt freshman Noah Matheny came out of the bullpen for the Spartans to pick up the final five outs of the game, closing out a strong performance for Michigan State.
In a rally that included a two-run bases-loaded single by catcher Sam Thompson, MSU would tack on three more runs in the bottom half of the eighth to close out a powerful performance,
“I think it’s just important to be present and stay where our feet are and let the game not speed us up, it’s pretty easy to do that,” Williams said after the win. “Keeping everything simple and letting things flow and just letting the game play out.”
MSU improved its record to 6-9 on the season with the win today and have now won 12 of their last 13 home openers. The Spartans have two more games against Evansville, wrapping up the weekend in East Lansing Mar. 16 and 17.