Michigan State baseball hosts Purdue in B1G season opener

Sarah Smith

Andrew Carson during the 2022 MSU baseball season. Photo Credit: Sarah Smith/WDBM

Matthew Coury, Baseball Beat Reporter
March 24, 2023

EAST LANSING– Michigan State baseball (11-7) looks to make a statement in its Big Ten opening series against Purdue University (9-10). After a comeback win in their home opener against Western Michigan, the Spartans look to continue their winning ways during Fan Appreciation Weekend in a three-game series against a resilient Boilermakers side. 

The Boilermakers have won the last three games against the Spartans with an all time record of 30-25 in the history of these Big Ten rivals. 

Purdue’s last seven games have been uncharacteristic as they have struggled to plate as many runs as they had early on. They started their first twelve games of the season with an average of 9.5 runs per game in that span. They have since then lost six of their last seven games while averaging just above 4.14 runs per game. 

The Boilermakers hope to get back on track this weekend after a very tough out of conference schedule by reigniting their very high scoring offense. 

“Purdue is very well-coached and has played a good schedule,” MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. 

The Spartans are looking to start conference play on the right foot this weekend and hope to get an early jump in the Big Ten standings after a disappointing result last season. 

“The Big Ten opener is obviously very important. We were very disappointed in the way we finished last year and the goal is to win the series,” Boss Jr. said.

Michigan State has had some very solid pitching in their last few outings but a 6.21 ERA as a team this year will not be able to contain a strong hitting team such as Purdue.  On the offensive side of the ball, Michigan State has a team batting average of .314, ranking them 27th in the country.While it may be early in the season, this series will not be taken lightly and will be a very good indicator of both of these teams trying to find their footing going into a long season. 

Game one on Friday, March 24 is slated for 4:05 p.m. while Saturday’s game will be at 3:55 pm. The series finale will start on Sunday, March 26 at 1:05 p.m. at McLane Stadium.