Michigan State Baseball Impresses During Opening Weekend

"I thought our older guys did a great job of making sure everybody was locked in and ready to go," head coach Jake Boss Jr. said as he met with local media following a Saturday win. "You still have that nervous feeling in your belly before the game starts, and I think that's important. I think that's when guys are locked in and not taking anything for granted.

Kicking Off the Season with Top-10 Wins

The Spartans didn't take the series for granted, pouncing on Louisville by winning the first two games of the series and running their record in season openers under Boss to 15-3. It was their third straight victory in a season-opener, but the way they were able to compete with a nationally elite program was even more impressive.

Senior Randy Seymour, a former shortstop and third baseman now playing first base, was one of the standouts this weekend. Seymour hit .385 (5-for-13) with two home runs and six RBIs. He put MSU in front twice on Friday night, including the game-winning home run in the eight inning to make it a 4-3 ballgame.

Parker Picot also had a big weekend, becoming the firs Spartan since 2000 with eight RBIs in a single game, as he launched a grand slam and a three-run homer to break things open in a 13-4 win. He wasn't alone in that one, as the top of the Spartans lineup, filled with many of the team's veteran leaders, went 8-for-16 with 12 RBIs and 10 runs scored on the day.

"That's what we need from them," Boss said. "Nick Williams is a senior. Randy Seymour is a senior. Ryan McKay is one of our captains. He's a junior. Parker [Picot] is a junior. We need our returning guys and our veteran guys to lead us and show the freshmen the way."

Unable to Sweep

Michigan State entered Sunday's series finale with a chance to make a loud statement and sweep the Cardinals. However, it was not to be. Louisville scored runs in five different innings and jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first two frames en route to a 9-1 win. MSU struggled from the plate, only collecting four hits and finally avoiding a shutout on a Ryan McKay fielder's choice in the eighth inning.

While the final game was a disappointment, Michigan State showed the ability to compete with and beat a top-tier baseball program, all on the heels of Jake Boss's new contract extension. It's a great start for the team, but another top-10 team awaits as they head to Austin to face No. 3 Texas in a three-game set next weekend.

Another good showing could get everyone excited about MSU's baseball team this season.