EAST LANSING— After a disappointing 6-5 loss to Central Michigan on Wednesday afternoon, Michigan State’s losing streak has extended to four games.
With an unfortunate string of games behind them, the Spartans’ record has fallen to 17-14 on the year and 4-8 in conference play, placing them toward the bottom of the Big Ten.
They will look to end their losing ways and get back on track as the Northwestern Wildcats come to East Lansing for a three-game series.
The Wildcats sit at 15-15 on the year and 6-6 in conference play, currently riding a two-game winning streak, which puts them two spots ahead of the Spartans in the Big Ten standings.
MSU currently holds a four-game winning streak against Northwestern, having swept them the last time they met in 2023.
With junior Joseph Dzierwa as the probable starting pitcher on Friday, the Spartans give themselves an automatic advantage in game one.
The Spartans’ ace has posted a 1.89 ERA on his way to a 5-1 record, striking out 59 batters in the process. A strikeout total that ranks him second in the Big Ten and 25th in the nation.
Dzierwa’s performance this season has gained national recognition, earning him a spot on the midseason watch list for the Golden Spikes Award — given to the top amateur baseball player in the country.
For the remainder of the series, MSU will have to be more reliant on its offense against the powerful bats that Northwestern brings to the diamond.
The heart of the Wildcats’ offense is junior infielder Trent Liolios, who leads the team in most hitting categories. He is currently batting .333 with 15 home runs and 31 RBIs, and his .843 slugging percentage ranks seventh in the NCAA. His 15 home runs also tie him for the second-most in the nation.
Liolios is a major threat, but Northwestern will have multiple batters looking to make an impact.
Junior infielder Owen McElfatrick and senior outfielder Preston Knott are two other key contributors to watch. McElfatrick brings a steady bat with a .299 average and a .406 on-base percentage, while Knott leads the team in doubles and boasts a solid .479 slugging percentage, making him a constant presence in the lineup.
Even without an elite power hitter like Liolios, the Spartans get on base, holding an on-base percentage of .381 compared to Northwestern’s .356. They have also produced 25 more walks than the Wildcats this season.
The keys to a victorious weekend for the Green and White are to take advantage of the runners they get on base and minimize the impact Liolios has on the games.
The first pitch for Friday’s series opener between the two teams is set for 5:32 p.m., followed by a 3:32 p.m. start on Saturday and a 1:02 p.m. start on Sunday.
