This weekend brings the Michigan State Spartans to Champaign, Illinois. Looking at the weather forecast, Saturday may actually be a decent day for baseball… cloudy, maybe but warm and not wet. Friday and Sunday may be a different story, however. I’m still holding hope.
I really do hope that we can get Friday’s game in. If not, I’ll be MIA for this weekend’s series. I’ll be out of town for the remainder of the weekend (you simply can’t reschedule Easter for the rest of family even when baseball is involved). If Friday’s game is postponed, this will be the first weekend series I’ll miss in two years.
Fightingillini.com’s preview is up. Worth noting is that Friday’s game is scheduled to be broadcast on Big Ten Network Television so another reason to put away the rain sticks. Saturday’s game will be streamed live on BTN as well. Live stats and audio as usual on fightingillini.com
Michigan State Spartans |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 22, 2011 | 6:05 pm ct | |||
| April 23, 2011 | 3:05 pm ct | |||
| April 24, 2011 | 1:05 pm ct | |||
| Illinois Field | Champaign, IL | |||
| Program website link | Record | 23-10 (6-3 in the Big Ten) | ||
| Head Coach: | Jake Boss Jr. | Key Player: | Jeff Holm (.400, 34 rbi) | |
Michigan State rides atop the Big Ten (along with Indiana) in the early conference season with a 6-3 record. They can back that up with a 23-10 overall record. MSU has outscored their opposition by a 188-131 margin so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.
Michigan State and Illinois have long been rivals for a good many reasons. Brother rivalries, late-inning wins (like this one) and simply because the two teams are usually vying for the last qualifying spot in the Big Ten Tournament. Not this year, it seems for the Spartans as they seem to be off to a hot start.
Random Ramblings
I’m glad to see Pete Cappetta (above) back in the lineup and even happier to see him contribute. He hit safely in all three Michigan games. It doesn’t hurt that Pete can play practically every position if you ask him. He’s played in right field, second base and third base and could certainly fill in at short (his original position) if needed.
Pete’s a hard playing ballplayer who gives his all to his team even when he’s not in the lineup. If you don’t know what I mean, keep an eye on him during ballgames… he’s always the first one welcoming the fielders back to the dugout.
But for me, I’m glad to see him in field now.
Let’s go Illini!