May 19, 2011
Box Score
Site: East Lansing, Mich. (McLean Baseball Stadium)
Score: Michigan State 3, Northwestern 0
Records: NU (19-28, 9-12 Big Ten), Michigan State (33-18, 14-8 Big Ten)
Next NU Event: Friday, May 20 -- at Michigan State (East Lansing, Mich.), 2:05 p.m. CT
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Northwestern starter Luke Farrell went the distance and allowed only one earned run, but the Wildcats were unable to get their offense going as they dropped a 3-0 decision at Michigan State Thursday afternoon.
The defeat damaged NU's Big Ten tournament hopes while the first-place Spartans move closer to securing their first conference title since 1979.
Michigan State got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Farrell hit leadoff hitter Brandon Ecklerle in the helmet with a pitch to open the frame. Following a lengthy delay, Ecklerle remained in the game and moved to third on a single to right by Ryan Jones before scoring on a groundout by Jeff Holm.
The Spartans added to their lead in the bottom of the third as a two-out error cost the Wildcats two unearned runs. With Eckerle on third and two away, Jared Hook's grounder through the right side before Torsten Boss scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-0.
Meanwhile, the Northwestern batters struggled to put anything together against MSU starter Kurt Wunderlich. The senior right-hander faced just two over the minimum in the contest, not allowing a Wildcat to reach scoring position while getting a pair of double-play grounders.
Northwestern's best chance to score came in the seventh inning as leadoff hitter Paul Snieder was robbed of extra bases on a great running grab by left fielder Jordan Keur. After Chris Lashmet reached on a throwing error, Jack Havey's rocket to the gap in left-center was run down by Eckerle for the second out.
Farrell (6-3) deserved a better fate as he surrendered just one earned run (three total) and scattered just six hits against the Spartans' high-powered offense while striking out four.
The teams continue their series at 2:05 p.m. Central time Friday.
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