Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Michigan State
Indiana Downed by Michigan State in Conference Opener
3/31/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 31, 2006
Box Score
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Battling wet and windy conditions, the Indiana baseball team dropped its conference opener against Michigan State, 17-7, on March 31. The game, which was delayed over an hour due to rain, was played at Oldsmobile Park, home of the minor league Lansing Lugnuts. IU is now 7-12 on the season, while MSU moved to 10-9.
Hoosier left fielder Jay Brant brought his red-hot bat into the opener, going 2-for-3 with his third home run of the season, two RBI, two runs and two steals. He has collected multiple hits in four of his last five games and owns a five-game hitting streak, going 13-for-21 (.619) during the span.
Additionally, designated hitter Tad Reida went 2-for-4 and first baseman Michael Nilles added two hits in five at-bats with each player picking up one RBI.
As has been the case all season long, the Hoosiers used their speed to strike first against southpaw John Dwan in the first. Jay Brant led off the game with a walk, stole second, moved to third on a fly out by center fielder Reggie Watson and touched home on a sacrifice fly by Reida.
Following a pair of RBI-doubles from right fielder Ryan Basham and center fielder Adam Tripp in the bottom of the inning, IU used a two-out rally to pull ahead the next half inning. Catcher Jon Fixler singled home right fielder Zach Boswell to even the game, and Brant ripped a base knock in front of Tripp to plate shortstop David Trager and put the Hoosiers in front.
Watson capped the three-run outburst with an infield hit off third baseman Oliver Wolcotts' glove, allowing Fixler to touch home with Indiana's fourth run. On the play, the ball deflected right to shortstop Troy Krider, who made a diving stab, gathered his footing and threw a perfect strike from the outfield grass to cut down Brant at the plate.
After chasing Dwan from the game, IU continued its offensive assault on right-hander Quinn Ewert (2-0) in the third. Third baseman Steve Head doubled to deep center field and two batters later, Nilles singled back up the middle to make it a 5-2 game.
However, the Spartans bounced back with a single tally in the third and a pair in the fourth to square the contest at 5-5. First baseman Steve Gerstenberger tripled in Michigan State's first run of the fourth and stole home on a double steal with Krider to tie the ballgame.
The Hoosiers answered the Spartans with one of their own in the fifth to regain the lead at 6-5. Boswell led off with a base on balls, and Nilles put runners on first and second with a base hit to left. Second baseman Keith Haas laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the duo up 90 feet, and Boswell came in on an Ewert balk.
MSU continued the seesaw affair, posting a four-spot in the bottom half of the frame before Brant collected his third home run of the season over the left-field fence to cut the IU deficit to 9-7.
The Spartans matched the solo tally in the sixth, but the Hoosiers continued to fight back. Three consecutive two-out walks loaded the bases for Watson in the seventh. The Cincinnati native hit a ball on its way to center field until second baseman Alan Cattrysse made a brilliant backhanded stab and flipped to Krider at second to force Brant and keep it a 10-7 game.
After the rain delay, MSU tacked on four more in the seventh and three in the eighth for the final margin.
The teams return to the field for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, April 1. First pitch for the series finale is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 2.
Game Notes
-This series marks the first time Indiana and Michigan State have met to open Big Ten play since 1995. The Hoosiers and Spartans faced off on March 25-26 at Sembower Field in Bloomington that season.
-Center fielder Reggie Watson extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a single in the second inning.
-Indiana went a perfect 3-for-3 on the basepaths, giving it 46 stolen bases in its last 49 attempts (94 percent). Overall this season, the Hoosiers have stolen 59 bags in 70 tries (84 percent).
-With three steals in the ballgame, the Hoosiers have swiped at least one base in five straight games and 13 of their last 14 contests. IU has stolen a base in 14-of-19 games overall this season. In 11 of those contests, Indiana has at least three swipes.
-For the fourth time in five games and the 10th time this season, the Hoosiers reached the 10-hit mark. Indiana finished the contest with 10 base knocks.
-Left fielder Jay Brant recorded his fourth two-steal game of the season and the ninth of his career. The Indianapolis product has stolen 10 straight bases and is 12-for-14 on the season (second on the club).
-Brant also collected two hits, good for his team-leading ninth multi-hit game, including his fourth in five games. He is riding a five-game hitting streak, going 13-for-21 (.619) during the stretch. Additionally, Brant cranked out his third home run of the season.
-Designated hitter Tad Reida (2 hits) and first baseman Michael Nilles (2 hits) recorded their sixth and fourth multi-hit games this season, respectively.
-Reserve outfielder Arden McWilliams made his debut on the mound. The sophomore tossed the eighth inning.
-The game was delayed over an hour due to rain with one out in the seventh.
-The series is being held at Oldsmobile Park, home of the minor league Lansing Lugnuts.
