Spartans Stumble in Extras: 5-4 Heartbreaker Marks 5th Straight Loss
· Yahoo Sports
Michigan State dropped its fifth straight game in a thrilling 5-4 barn burner that proved nine innings just wasn’t enough.
First Inning
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Aidan Donovan took the mound for the Spartans, entering with 9 IP, 5.00 ERA, 8 hits, 5 earned runs, and 5 strikeouts. He allowed two baserunners—a double and a walk—but stranded them. A leadoff walk was erased by Ryan McKay’s 4-6-3 double play, and Randy Seymour’s sky-high fly to left sealed it. Score: 0-0.
Second Inning
Donovan, who had issued just three walks in nine innings prior, walked the leadoff hitter again. However, a loud flyout and a 6-4-3 double play kept it scoreless. In the bottom half, Illinois’ Plumlee—who dominated MSU last year in East Lansing with seven strikeouts and six hits—plunked Adam Broski, matching the Illini’s leadoff man on. But two superb outfield catches dashed Spartan hopes. The second was highway robbery: Broski rounded second toward third before the ball stuck in the outfielder’s glove, rifling to first to beat him by a cat’s whisker—the third straight inning-ending double play.
Third Inning
Donovan surrendered his second hit, a double, but struck out the next batter. Nick Groves scored on a base hit, sliding under Broski’s tag. Isaac Sturgess’s throw arrived late; Groves sneaked his left-hand in. MSU challenged, but the call stood. Illinois led 1-0.MSU’s Jack Deckinga reached third with one out after Khamaree Thomas’s single from the nine-hole moved him over—too softly to score. Thomas swiped second (MSU’s first steal, 1/6 on the year), bringing up Nick Williams with runners on the corners. Williams battled from 0-2 but Plumlee struck him out. McKay was robbed of a seeing-eye single by a diving play, stranding both.
Fourth Inning
Another spicy spot for Donovan: first two runners on. He buckled down for two quick outs, but a base hit leaked through—only for Williams’s cannon arm to gun down the runner at home by a country mile. Still 1-0 Illini, but the pressure mounted like an impending avalanche. MSU’s cold bats needed heat.
Fifth Inning
Donovan’s rally cry: leadoff runner on, then his fifth strikeout. Daniel Contreras—Illinois’ catcher hitting safely in seven of eight games—roped his third hit, men on first and second with one out. Donovan battled but loaded the bases with two outs on a walk. He exited after 4.2 IP. Enter Nolan Higgins, the 6’4”, 215-pound righty and MSU’s most-used reliever (a run allowed in every prior outing). Higgins escaped the jam unscathed.
Sixth and Seventh Innings
The sixth stayed quiet. Trouble brewed in the seventh: two Illini on with none out. A timely twin-killing double play turned the tide.
Eighth Inning
Hell broke loose atop the eighth. Back-to-back solo shots from A.J. Putty (379 feet over the Green Monster) and Colin Jennings (419 feet) tied it 3-3. Higgins had cruised until then. Tommy Szczepanski relieved at 3-3 but faltered. Bases loaded, one out: ball to third, MSU took it home for out two. Broski’s relay to first hit the batter’s back and squirted away—the runner from second (advanced to third) scooted home for a 4-3 Illini lead. Crushing for the Spartans. Bottom eight, down one: Thomas led off with a hit. Kyle Remmington walked Williams, two on, none out. McKay bunted them over. Seymour scorched one to third—out at first, but Thomas crossed for 4-4 into the ninth.
Ninth Inning
Illinois swung big: leadoff double after a close call at second. Stellar Spartan defense held firm at 4-4. The Illini countered with web gems, slamming the door on MSU. Extras it was.
Tenth Inning
Illinois struck fast: leadoff walk, then two on, one out. A crushing outfield hit plated one for 5-4. Remmington returned for his third straight frame, mowing down MSU 1-2-3. The Spartans came close but fell in extras.
The Spartans fought valiantly in a see-saw classic, but the Fighting Illini prevailed. MSU’s skid hits five; their bats showed life, but pitching pressure proved too much.