Spartans and Lakers Face Off Wednesday
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State (8-9) baseball and Grand Valley State will square off in a midweek match-up on Wednesday at Kobs Field, with the first pitch set for 2 p.m. The Spartans have taken the last 10 contests and hold an all-time 23-5 advantage over the Lakers.
Career-Bests Against GVSU: In the two schools last meeting on March 25, 2004, Alan Cattrysse set a career high with two home runs as the Green and White walked away with a 13-8 victory. Oliver Wolcott also set a personal-best with four hits and four stolen bases in the contest.
Last Time Out For MSU: In its last game, Michigan State earned a three-game series win with a 13-3 victory over Western Illinois. Six Spartans recorded multi-hit games and every MSU player with an at bat had a hit. Troy Krider lead MSU with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate.
Grand Valley Looking To Rebound From GLIAC Losses: GVSU is looking to rebound from a pair of one-run losses to Findlay on Sunday. The Oilers slipped by the Lakers, 3-2 and 4-3.
On The Bump: Senior left-hander Grant Payton (6-0/185, Barrington, Ill., 4-0, 2.59 ERA) will get the nod for GVSU, while sophomore righty Mike Takashima (6-1/180, Rochester Hills, Mich., 0-0, 4.50 ERA) will take the hill for MSU.
.300 Or Better: The Spartans boast a team batting average of .308, with eight sluggers batting over .300.
Team ERA: State owns a team ERA of 4.71. Among starters, RHP Jeff Gerbe has a team-low 2.54 ERA, while LHP Spencer Hahn has team-low 1.59 ERA out of the bullpen.
Crafty Krider: Troy Krider leads MSU in batting average (.394), hits (26), stolen bases (9-9) and on base percentage (.494). The junior shortstop also is tied for first with four doubles and is second on the team in runs scored (14) and walks (12).
Ribbie Twins: Juniors Adam Tripp (.310) and Ryan Basham (.364) lead State with 16 RBI apiece. Basham produced a career-best and season-high five RBI on March 6 vs. Lehigh. Tripp also is tops with three home runs on the season.
Stretching It: Sophomore Tony Clausen hit a team single-game best three doubles March 18 at Ohio in game two and Jamey Embree hit a team single-game best two triples on March 26 in game two against Western Illinois. Both are career-highs for each.
Next On The Slate: Michigan State opens Big Ten play with a four-game series against Indiana this weekend at Oldsmobile Park. The game times are as follows: Friday - 3 p.m., Saturday (DH) - 1 p.m., Sunday - 1 p.m.