Sorensen Throws Complete Game in Spartans’ 5-2 Win Over Ohio State

Sorensen Throws Complete Game in Spartans’ 5-2 Win Over Ohio State MSU sophomore pitches first complete nine-inning game of his career   LANSING, Mich. –

Sorensen Throws Complete Game in Spartans’ 5-2 Win Over Ohio State

MSU sophomore pitches first complete nine-inning game of his career

  

LANSING, Mich. – Right handed sophomore Mark Sorensen kept an explosive Ohio State offense guessing, as Michigan State beat OSU, 5-2, Sunday afternoon at Oldsmobile Park. Throwing the first complete nine-inning game for the Spartans since Matt Trausch accomplished the feat against Northwestern on May 22, 2005, Sorensen helped MSU avoid a four game series sweep by the Buckeyes. Ryan Basham aided the effort, producing a two-run home run, his seventh homer of the year, in the Spartans’ opening at bat. The win tied MSU’s 2005 overall and conference win a mark, as Michigan State improved its 2006 record to 22-24 and 10-14 in Big Ten play.

  

“That was an excellent ballgame today,” MSU head coach David Grewe stated after the win. “We had our backs against the wall. The pitching performance by Mark (Sorensen) really proved his worth in the program. It was a great overall team effort, in a must-win situation.”

  

Ohio State (31-15, 15-9 Big Ten) jumped ahead with two runs in the top of the first. Basham’s two-run homer to straightaway center field in the bottom half of the inning pulled the Spartans even at 2-2. MSU took its first lead of the series in the second, scoring two more runs. Oliver Wolcott lead-off with a double, stole third and scored on a throwing error. Reaching on a fielders choice, Jamey Embree stole second and crossed the dish on an RBI single by Kyle Day.

  

The Green and While built on its two-run advantage in the sixth, adding a run on E.J. Davis’ RBI single.

  

After allowing two runs in the first inning, Sorensen responded by pitching eight scoreless innings, striking out three as MSU cruised to victory. The win improved Sorensen’s record to 3-2 on the season.

  

The Green and White made short work of Buckeye started J.B. Shuck (6-3), who entered the contest with a conference best 1.57 ERA. MSU tagged Shuck for four runs on eight hits in just 1.1 innings.

  

Troy Krider went 3-for-4 to pace the Spartan offense. Basham and Steve Gerstenberger each collected two hits.

  

Eric Fryer led Ohio State with three hits, while Ronnie Bourquin, Michael Arp and Justin Miller each had two hits.

  

With just two Big Ten series left, Michigan State remains in the hunt for post-season play. The Spartans travel to Western Michigan on Tuesday, before facing Northwestern in a four-game conference showdown in Evanston, Ill., May 12-14. MSU concludes the Big Ten regular season May 19-21, playing host to Illinois at Kobs Field.

Courtesy of MSU SID.