April 27, 2008

Box Score

LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State got a bases-loaded walk from freshman Jonathan Roof to score the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning in MSU's 11-10 victory over Iowa Sunday. Michigan State won three of four in the series, collecting its first Big Ten series win of the season. Junior Eric Roof went 2-for-4 with three RBI to lead the Spartans.

The Spartans rallied from a four-run deficit in the late innings. Down 10-6 in the seventh inning, Eric Roof doubled to deep center, scoring Jonathan Roof and junior Kyle Day to pull MSU within 10-8. Eric Roof would score on an RBI single to left by freshman Jeff Holm to make it a one-run game.

After a pair of walks in the eighth inning, a single by sophomore Chris Roberts loaded the bases with Spartans. Moments later, Iowa's Andrew Porter hit Eric Roof with a pitch to tie the game 10-10 after eight.

Holm singled to right to lead off the ninth, setting up a sac bunt situation for freshman Brandon Eckerle. Eckerle got a good bunt down, only Iowa couldn't field it, giving Eckerle a bunt single and putting runners on first and second with no outs. Senior Brandon Doherty laid down a sac bunt to move the runners over, and senior Steve Gerstenberger was intentionally walked to load the bases. Porter couldn't throw a strike to Jonathan Roof, who walked to score the winning run.

Senior Ryan MacFarlane (2-0) pitched two hitless innings to pick up the win. MacFarlane retired six of the seven batters he faced. Gerstenberger, Roberts, Holm and senior Justin Potes each had two hits for MSU. Gerstenberger hit a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the fourth.

"It was really good for us to win three this weekend," head coach David Grewe said. "Our team is going to focus on final exams this week and then get ready to go to Penn State."

Iowa's pitchers walked 11 batters, with Porter and starter Steve Turnbull each issuing three walks. Porter (1-4) took the loss for the Hawkeyes.

Freshman A.J. Achter started for Michigan State, allowing two earned runs over 4.1 innings. He struck out three and walked four.

Michigan State (17-22, 7-12 Big Ten) travels to Penn State for a four-game series next weekend. Game one is set for Friday, May 2 at 6:35 p.m. The two teams will play a 4:05 p.m. doubleheader Saturday, May 3 that will be carried by the Big Ten Network.