Frustration Building as MSU Drops Second Game of Series versus Nebraska

It was both senior day and Mother’s Day which made the stakes even higher for the Spartans who already looking for a much needed win.

Justin Alleman took the mound for Michigan State and he looked to give MSU a good outing and a chance to even up the series.

However, it was the Nebraska Cornhuskers that came out on top, 4-1.

MSU coach Jake Boss Jr. expressed his continued frustration after the loss.

“You know everybody’s frustrated, you gotta tip your cap to Nebraska, they had opportunities to make plays and that’s a good ball club.”

Alleman looked good from the beginning, going 1-2-3 in the first inning. However, Cornhusker Steven Reveles put Nebraska on the board first with a RBI groundout.

Nebraska pitcher, Aaron Bummer, had the Spartans hitless for almost three innings, but Michigan State did not stay quiet for long. After playing some small ball moving Ryan Richardson over, Justin Hovis brought him in off of a sacrifice fly. The game was all tied up at 1-1.

Alleman regained his control and composure until the sixth inning when Nebraska took the lead again. Nebraska shortstop Reveles blasted a long ball into the Red Cedar River putting the Cornhuskers up 3-1 in the top of the sixth.

Alleman was relieved after the rough inning after going 6 2/3 innings and giving up three runs on five hits. Jake Lowery came into the game and kept MSU in it for the rest of his outing.

State had a beautiful chance to capitalize on a beautiful day in the bottom of the seventh inning. MSU had guys on the corners with no outs when State failed to capitalize and ended the inning coming away with no runs. The Spartans were still down 3-1.

Just when MSU had a rally going. Cornhusker right fielder Austin Darby made a Web Gem-like play to save at least one run. Nebraska would go on and end the inning. The catch was the biggest play of the day as it saved a huge inning and potential tying double by MSU’s Blaise Salter.

Nebraska DH Ben Miller hit a bloop single in left field to score Reveles, increasing their lead to 4-1.

State could not come through with a rally in the bottom of the ninth and dropped the second game of the series. The game came down to the two innings State had rallies going, but could not capitalize on.

Michigan State is currently 26-22 on the season and 8-12 in the Big Ten.

Final game of the series is Monday at 1:05 p.m.


Zac Swierad is host of Warning Track for Impact Sports.

Photo: Hannah McEnroe/Impact Sports