Spartans Fall to Buckeyes in Series Opener

 Ohio State starting pitcher Alex Wimmers held Michigan State to just seven hits over eight complete innings as OSU downed the Spartans, 10-1, on Friday at

 

Andy Johnson had three hits in Friday's loss. Photo courtesy of MSU SID

Ohio State starting pitcher Alex Wimmers held Michigan State to just seven hits over eight complete innings as OSU downed the Spartans, 10-1, on Friday at McLane Baseball Stadium in game one of a three-game set. The Spartans are now 22-8 and 4-3 in the Big Ten while OSU improved to 20-9 and 5-2 in the conference.

 

The Spartans struggled at the plate against Wimmers (8-0) all game, managing just one run in the sixth inning. MSU was able to get two runners on base in three separate innings, but never got the big hit to spark its offense.

 

Second baseman Ryan Jones and catcher Andy Johnson led MSU at the plate on Friday as each went 3-for-4. Third baseman Torsten Boss went 1-for-3 and drove in the Spartans’ lone run.

 

Ohio State got the only runs it needed in the second as Brian DeLucia hit a three-run homer for a 3-0 Buckeye lead.

 

OSU added to its lead with a solo run in the third inning and then got two more in the top of the fourth to make the score 6-0. In the fourth inning, Buckeye catcher Dan Burckhart kept the inning alive with a two-out walk and then Michael Stephens delivered with a two-run double.

 

A bases-loaded walk followed by a two-RBI single by Cory Rupert got the Buckeyes three more runs in the eighth inning and they capped the scoring with one more run in the ninth to make the final score 10-1.

 

Spartan starter A.J. Achter went 7.1 innings and took the loss. Achter, now 4-2 on the year, allowed eight earned runs off 13 hits.

 

The two teams will meet in game two of the series today at McLane Baseball Stadium at 1:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.