University of Minnesota Athletics
Michigan State Knocks Out Indiana with 14-1 Win
5/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
On the strength of a phenomenal pitching performance by freshman Tim Day and a terrific offensive team effort, Michigan State defeated Indiana by a score of 14-1, eliminating the Hoosiers from the 2002 Big Ten Tournament. Day pitched eight full innings, giving up one run and just five hits while striking out ten Indiana batters. Kyle Geswein and Bob Malek led the Spartans from the plate. Geswein went 4-for-4 with 2 RBI as MSU's designated hitter. Malek was 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and one home run.
After yesterday's heartbreaking extra-inning loss to Ohio State and outstanding offensive output, Indiana could not rebound from the defeat or match the hitting prowess in today's contest with the Spartans. The Hoosiers finish the season with a 35-20 record.
In its half of the first inning, Michigan State hitters headed to the plate with a vengeance and collectively crushed the ball. Before Indiana starting pitcher Jacob Cary could record one out, the Spartans posted six runs. Michigan State used four doubles, one single, and a two-run home run by James Moreno to acquire the 6-0 lead. After his rough start, Cary was relieved by junior Kevin O'Brien but didn't fair much better. The Spartans scored two more on two singles and a double, making the score 8-0, before O'Brien could retire the side.
Three innings later, in the fourth, the Spartans padded its advantage by adding two more runs. An RBI single by Travis Gulick and an RBI double by Scott Koerber made the score 10-0 after four complete innings.
Michigan State struck again in the proceeding frame with three runs crossing the plate. With IU reliever Matt Rice on the mound, a single by Geswein brought home Bob Malek and Chris McCuiston. The third run of the inning was scored by Geswein on a Travis Gulick single to center field.
Spartan Bob Malek put one more run on the scoreboard for Michigan State in the sixth inning with a solo home run, the only round tripper of the day for either club.
Indiana could only muster one run in the contest, an eighth inning tally scored by Kennard Jones off of a Vasili Spanos double.
Post-game Quotes
Indiana head coach Bob Morgan
"With the type of game we had last night, a very emotional one, it's tough to come back. We felt ready today, but giving up eight runs in the first inning took the wind right out of us. That's really what happened. Last night we should have won, we went from playing at 7:00 tonight to noon today, and going home. Give credit to Michigan State; they are a great hitting team and took the starch right out of us."
On the season.
"Someone always has to go home losing, few teams get to finish their seasons on top. I told the guys to sit back and reflect on all the good things that have happened this season. We finished fourth in the Big Ten, record of 35-20, and made the tourney. It's hard to sit and reflect on the unfortunate way it ended, but it happens."
Michigan State head coach Ted Mahan
"Tim [Day] got the three outs in the first inning, and then we got the eight runs in the bottom of the first. After that it was all Tim. He broke a school record for wins by a freshman with his 11th today. It was a great day for our team and a great day for Tim."
"Still the team that wins this tourney is the team that pitches the best and gets good defense. Runs help, that's for sure, but we need to keep getting good pitching and give our hitters a chance. We've done a good job with that so far."
"Tim really saved our staff today with his game. We used three relief pitchers twice already in this tournament; we didn't have to do that today. That's how important our game was."
Michigan State starting pitcher Tim Day
"I was definitely looking to get the shut out, but as long as we win I'm happy. We win and we move on to the next game. I just left one pitch up. One bad pitch isn't bad."
