Spartans Fall at Michigan, 4-0

Tony Bucciferro strikes out seven in 7 2/3 innings, but takes the loss for MSU.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan State baseball team fell at Michigan, 4-0, Friday evening at Ray Fisher Stadium in the series opener between the two rivals. Senior right-hander Tony Bucciferro struck out seven in 7 2/3 innings of work, but Michigan’s Brandon Sinnery didn’t allow a run in 8 1/3 innings as the Wolverines kept MSU off the scoreboard.

The loss snapped MSU’s four-game winning streak over the Wolverines, dating back to the 2010 season.

The Spartans (18-9, 2-2 Big Ten) had nine hits to Michigan’s eight, but left nine runners on base, including four in the final two innings.

Down 4-0 in the top of the ninth, Michigan State loaded the bases with one out for one last chance at a rally, but Jared Hook grounded into a 6-4-3 double play that ended the game.

The Spartans also left the bases loaded in the sixth inning. With two down and no one on base, MSU strung together three straight singles from the top of the order; however, a Tony Wieber popout brought the scoring threat to a close.

In the eighth, the Spartans again threatened with two outs, but couldn’t cash in following back-to-back singles by Jordan Keur and Torsten Boss.

Wolverine starter Brandon Sinnery (2-3) was knocked out of the game in the ninth after throwing 127 pitches. He scattered nine hits and struck out five while only walking one.

In his two Big Ten starts against Ohio State and Michigan, Bucciferro (3-2) has only allowed four runs in 15 2/3 innings, but the Spartans have not scored one run during his time on the mound in conference play.

The Spartans were trailing the entire game after Michigan shortstop Dylan Delaney hit a solo homer to left in the bottom of the first.

The game remained 1-0 until the Wolverines (14-16, 1-3 Big Ten) added two more in the sixth. Patrick Biondi homered to right field to lead off the inning, while John Lorenz drove in a run with a single to left.

Coley Crank connected on an RBI double down the left-field line in the eighth to make it 4-0.

Game two of the series is set for Saturday at McLane Baseball Stadium; first pitch will be at 1:05 p.m