ANN ARBOR, MI  – Michigan State baseball faced off against Michigan Saturday afternoon for game two of the three game series.  After winning Friday, U of M continued the momentum to earn an 8-3 win Saturday.

“It was disappointing today. I think we need to be ready right from the get-go, and it was a tough start for us,” MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said.

For the second time in two days, Michigan found their bats in the first inning bringing all nine batters to the plate. Following two walks and a single, senior Joey Velazquez hit one up the middle scoring two runs. In what seemed like a replay of the first one, Jack Van Remortel hit a two-run RBI single of his own bringing the total to four runs.  

MSU right-hander Ryan Sczcepaniak entered the game halfway through the first, striking out two and getting out of the inning.  

“I thought Ryan Sczcepaniak did a nice job, keeping it there and giving our offense a chance,” said Boss Jr.

The Spartans fought back in the third with a two-out rally.  Trent Farquhar started the streak with a single, before crossing the plate on behalf of a Mitch Jebb RBI double.  Brock Vradenburg followed that up with an RBI single of his  own, scoring Jebb. Vradenburg and Jebb each have had back-to-back games with at least one run batted in.

The lead was cut to one in the fifth when Farquhar lined out, scoring Casey Mayes on the sacrifice.  

Sczcepaniak pitched four and a third scoreless innings before a Van Remortel solo-homer ended that streak in the sixth. The sophomore struck out five in his five innings of action.

Michigan added two more runs in the sixth with shortstop Cody Jefferis and senior Ted Burton batting in the runs. One more in the eighth made the lead five headed into the last inning.

Michigan’s  pitching was stellar again, with starter Connor O’Halloran throwing a complete game with five K’s and three runs against.  The lefty continued his strong season, getting the win today and bringing his record to 7-2.  

“We had a couple opportunities and couldn’t come through. Overall, a disappointing day, but we’ll be back and ready to play tomorrow,” said Boss Jr.

The final game of the series will take place Sunday at 1 p.m. at Fisher Stadium in Ann Arbor.

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