MSU Baseball In First Place

The Michigan State men’s baseball team currently boasts a 23-10 record, putting them in first place in the Big 10 conference. With tough opponents like Clemson and Boston College in the non-conference season, the Spartans have proven they deserve the spot they have secured at this point in the year. With a 66 game season, the team has about 33 games left to make a run at the Big 10 championship and keep the first place rank in their hands.

Captains Brandon Eckerle at Center Field, and Jeff Holm at First Base have kept the wins flowing for the team and have used their leadership positions as captains according to Head Coach, Jake Boss. “The captains are outstanding players,” said Boss. With many key pieces to the puzzle, the Spartans are sure to keep their season on track. Other important contributers include senior, Kurt Wunderlich, a right handed Pitcher for the Spartans, whose experience has helped the team earn the first place position.

“The two most important things we’ve done well all year have been good pitching and we’ve played good defense. We’ve been most consistent at these aspects all year,” Boss said.

But like any team, a baseball team needs to be balanced and have a well-rounded range of players. The freshman additions to the team this year have been important factors in the team’s success. Freshman Pitcher, David Garner, Outfielder Jeff Kinley, and Catcher Joel Fisher have kept the team strong in all areas of the field, according to Boss.

Although the Spartans were plagued by a couple tough losses including losing 8-0 to Clemson as previously mentioned, the team more importantly secured one their most significant victories against the University of Michigan Wolverines. The Spartans got their brooms out for the sweep against U of M and ended the series 3-0.

Taking a first place spot in any sport isn’t easy and is certainly something to be earned, and the MSU baseball team is no stranger to this notion. Even in a time of  high morale and confidence, improvement must not be neglected. Boss notes their constant strive for improvement and their devotion to playing good baseball. “Improving all aspects of the game is what we try to do. We work on swinging at good pitches and trying not to get ourselves out, instead of swinging at hard pitches,” Boss explains.

Winning requires strategy, something Boss and the Spartans have implemented into their game, resulting in so many victories. “We always try to put pressure on the defense by bunting and stealing bases, not so much by trying to hit home runs every time we’re at bat,” said Boss. Boss also attributes a large part of their success to the outstanding pitching this year, “I’m pleasantly surprised at how good our pitching has been, it’s been a highlight,” Boss added.

All of us Spartan fans out there are crossing our fingers for the MSU baseball team to keep that number one spot in their possession, and with half of the season left, there is plenty of time for us to get out to the ballpark and support them to ensure that happens. With prime strategy and talent, the Spartans are well on their way to a Big 10 championship, which according to Boss is the main goal of the season. Get out and support the baseball team, Spartans, they have a lot of talent worth watching, and GO GREEN!

~Maddie Fetchiet, The Big Green

NHL Playoff Season; a celebratory affair

NHL playoff season is upon us hockey fans and the Detroit Red Wings are expected to make quite a run. College students everywhere will pack the bars and grills to view the game, and I can feel the celebratory vibe in the air. The playoffs are like a holiday, everyone is excited for it, and everyone will stop what they’re doing to enjoy it. So where will you be kicking off the Red Wings (or other teams’) playoff debut? Buffalo Wild Wings? The Harrison Roadhouse? No matter what team you’re rooting for or where you go to participate in the playoff season festivities, this 2011 tournament season is bound to be entertaining.

Campus bars are packed on any given day here at MSU, but with the culminations of many sports seasons being imminent the lines are bound to be out the door. Establishments like Buffalo Wild Wings aka “B-dubbs,” and restaurants alike are prime locations for viewing any sporting event. Big screen, HD TVs line the walls of the popular bar and grill for viewers’ pleasure. Other restaurants popular with MSU students include The Harrison Roadhouse, Harper’s, and Dublin Square. Sports, beer and good food provide college students with an ideal atmosphere to support their favorite team.

It is likely that when thinking of watching the NHL playoffs at a local bar and grill you picture a large group of guys decked out with playoff beards and jerseys. But what about the ladies? Personally, I plan to be right in the mix with all of the manly hockey fans out there, being an avid Red Wings fan myself. Normally women are underrepresented at sports bars and sporting events in general, but with an athletic school like MSU, the women on campus are likely to show up to these events. Fun and competition will certainly be shared between my roommate and I, considering she is a Phoenix Coyotes fan, the Red Wings first opponent in the playoffs this year. We plan to pack in to Buffalo Wild Wings sporting our respective team gear and rooting on our men.

No matter the team you’re rooting for, playoff season in any sport is a time to look forward to. So if you’re homework free and find yourself sitting around your T.V. watching the game, head to a local bar or grill for a competitive and fun game day atmosphere. And to the lady hockey fans of MSU, get out there and represent your spirit!

 

~Maddie Fetchiet, The Big Green