Michigan State scored three runs in the fourth, and it was all Spartans' starter Andrew Waszak needed to pick up his fourth win, as the Spartans won 6-0 and evened the series at one.
Freshman starter Kyle Hart stranded five Michigan State base runners through three innings. To lead off the fourth, first baseman Ryan Krill doubled to center. Two pitches later, the Spartans claimed a 2-0 lead as left fielder John Martinez connected on a 1-0 pitch and deposited the ball beyond the fence in left-center field fence.
Hart recovered to strike out Spartan catcher Joel Fisher. He retired shortstop Justin Scanlon for the second out.
Second baseman Ryan Jones singled, and took second on a fielding error by junior center fielder Justin Cureton. Hart walked third baseman Torsten Boss. IU Coach Tracy Smith brought in freshman Luke Harrison, as Hart was not missing many bats.
His day ended after 3.2 innings.
Harrison walked center fielder Jordan Keur to load the bases, and Smith made another pitching change.
Senior Chad Martin threw a wild pitch, and Jones scored. On the next pitch, he struck out designated hitter Blaise Salter swinging to end the half inning.
The Spartans doubled their lead in the eighth, as Scanlon hits the ball under junior shortstop Michael Basil's glove, as the infield was drawn-in - two runs scored.
The Hoosiers led off the top of the ninth with singles by Cureton and Schwarber. Freshman first baseman Sam Travis struck out. Junior shortstop Michael Basil notched the Hoosiers' third hit of the inning, loading the bases.
Spartans reliever Jeff Kinley was able to escape the jam, and record his sixth consecutive scoreless appearance.
The Hoosiers managed three hits against Waszak in his seven innings of shutout baseball.
The Hoosiers best opportunity to score against the Spartans' starter came in the fourth, as freshman catcher Kyle Schwarber hit a one-out triple to right-center field. Travis struck out swinging, and Basil grounded out to Scanlon to end the threat.
Hart took his fourth loss.
Game two begins at approximately 3:30.
Worth noting:
The Hoosiers are still looking to win the second game of a Big Ten series. Their next opportunity will be in two weeks against Michigan in Ann Arbor.
