The Best Team You've Probably Never Heard Of
Jeff Holm, Brandon Eckerle, Torsten Boss, Kurt Wunderlich, Tony Bucciferro. Unless you’re an avid college baseball you probably don’t know any of these names, but you should. These Michigan State baseball players, and the rest of their teammates, are of to the best start for the program in decades. And it’s about time the Spartan Nation took real notice.
The Spartans currently sit at 30-15 overall with a 13-5 Big Ten record. That’s good enough for a 2 game lead on second place Minnesota. But if you ask the average Spartan fan, most of them wouldn’t even realize how incredible this team has been in 2011. Michigan State currently leads the conference in team batting average, with the Spartans hitting at a .320 clip. They’re also second in slugging percentage, on base average, and runs scored. The Spartans also are smart at the plate, only striking out a conference low 213 times so far, 29 fewer than the next closest team. On the flip-side, the Spartans rank third in the conference in pitching staff ERA. Stats like these could sustain a successful baseball team on its own, however that’s not all that makes this team great.
We at Spartan Nation have been championing Jake Boss for quite some time, but the results are evident. This Michigan State team is a reflection of their coach. They don’t win with flash or arrogance; they do it with grit and humility. The Spartans have scored the third most runs in the league, but haven’t done it by mashing the long ball. Sure, the Spartans have managed 21 homeruns this season, but more astonishing are the 47 sacrifice bunts this team has laid down this season. These Spartans aren’t in it for personal stats or to show off their wares for the Major League scouts, they’re here to win. Taking an out to advance a runner is proof of that.
But what really separates this team is the lost stat of fielding percentage. The Spartans are currently fielding at a .973 average, the conference’s best number. Every pitcher knows that his best pitch is always a good defense behind him, and Jake Boss has instilled this into his team. The Spartan’s third ranked ERA isn’t all about dominant pitchers doing it alone, they’ve only had to strike out 264 batters this season, good enough for seventh in the conference. No, it’s all about smart pitchers, knowing they have a good defense behind them and pitching to contact. Pitching to contact has allowed Spartan pitchers to go deep into games this season, which allows their relievers to be consistently rested and ready to finish off games. This recipe for success can carry the Spartans to a Big Ten title this season.
The MSU catchers have also caught the second must runners stealing in the league. This is another underappreciated statistic. When opposing coaches understand that stealing on a catcher will likely result in an out even the fastest players may be held at first. This results in fewer scoring opportunities for the offense and more double play chances for the defense. Baseball is a chess match, but unfortunately for opposing coaches, Jake Boss’ players have given him an easy means cornering his competition.
Spartan baseball has been an afterthought, or possibly a non-thought, for many Michigan State fans for years. But with their success in 2011, and with a great coach in Jake Boss this team is poised for success for years to come. Now is the time for all Spartan fans to get behind MSU baseball, and help to will this team to a Big Ten title. There’s no good way to beat this Michigan State team, and soon enough, the fans will know that too.