3-Run Seventh, Homers Propel MSU Baseball To 5-3 Win

 Jones goes 2-for-5 with a homer and Gerstenberger picks up two hits  EAST LANSING, Mich. - Seniors Dennis Jones and Steve Gerstenberger had two hits each

 

Jones goes 2-for-5 with a homer and Gerstenberger picks up two hits

 

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Seniors Dennis Jones and Steve Gerstenberger had two hits each and Michigan State put together a three-run seventh inning to propel the Spartans to a 5-3 victory over Eastern Michigan Wednesday afternoon at Kobs Field. Jones and junior Eric Roof each hit home runs and junior A.J. Dunn pitched an inning of relief to pick up his first win of the season.

While Eastern Michigan struck first in the top of the second inning on a Matt Skirving RBI single, junior catcher Eric Roof responded with a solo home run in the third to draw the teams even.

A sacrifice fly from Jim Gulliver in the fourth put the Eagles ahead, but Jones pelted a solo shot off of the scoreboard in left field to tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth. The Eagles (5-18) would enjoy their last lead after scoring in the top of the seventh to put them ahead 3-2.

Gerstenberger scored Roof with the bases loaded, and junior Kyle Day immediately followed with a two-run single to put the Spartans ahead for good.

Senior right-hander Ryan MacFarlane, making his first start of the season, scattered two runs on five hits over five solid innings of work for the Spartans. Relievers Kurt Wunderlich and Scott Heitshusen each worked a scoreless inning to help get the ball to senior Nolan Moody, who came in to slam the door on the Eagles in the ninth. Moody now has three saves this season.

Kyle Rhoad and Steve Bradshaw each had two hits to lead EMU.

Michigan State (9-12, 1-3 Big Ten) will visit Northwestern (5-12, 1-3 Big Ten) for a four-game set beginning Friday, April 4. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. ET.