Three More Years

Michigan State announced today that its annual baseball game against the Lansing Lugnuts has been renewed for three more years.

One of the biggest concerns when the game launched was that MSU wouldn't be able to hang with a group of professionals, even at the A-class level. Those concerns were quieted after the Lugnuts pulled out two close ones, 4-3 and 4-2 in the first and second games respectively. No one's talking about it tonight after the Spartan baseball squad delivered a 12-2 horse whipping to the Lugnuts to record their first series win.

The game has become a massive success since its 2007 inception, a guaranteed sellout on one of the last Thirsty Thursdays when students are still in school. It's easily the biggest "home" crowd the Spartans play in front of all year, and it's an extra ton of cash for the Lugnuts, counting concession and ticket revenue. This renewal, to me, was a no-brainer.

However, just because something makes sense doesn't mean it always happens. It makes a ton of sense to move a spring grass sport into Spartan Stadium for a one-off game before spring football, but that doesn't happen. It makes a ton of sense to have MSU volleyball play in Breslin before Midnight Madness, but that doesn't always happen either. And it makes sense to broadcast MSU baseball's biggest game of the year, and if you read yesterday's post you know how that turned out.

So kudos to both the Lugnuts and Spartans for getting a sensible deal done.

What a Game at McLane!

What a way to open a new stadium!

In the opening game at the new McLane Baseball Stadium last Saturday, Spartans Pitcher Nolan Moody threw a no-hitter to defeat Northwestern 2-0. He had a perfect game going into the 8th inning, when he gave up a walk. Mr. Moody was honored as Pitcher of the Week by the Big Ten for his efforts. It was MSU's first no-hitter since 1993.

The Spartans held their home opener at Oldsmobile Park earlier in the spring. So far, the Spartans are undefeated in their new stadium, with a 3-0 record. The Spartans play this weekend at Ohio State, with their next game back on campus Wednesday, April 15th vs. Western Michigan at 3:05 p.m.