Ohio State Scores in Sixth on Error to Beat Michigan State 2-1 – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 10, 2003
Box Score
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State scored the decisive run on a throwing error in the bottom of the sixth inning in a 2-1 victory over Michigan State in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday at Bill Davis Stadium.
The Buckeyes (33-15 overall, 17-9 in the Big Ten) capitalized on the error to score the go-ahead run. Christian Snavely (Jr., Defiance, Ohio/Defiance) singled to right and then moved to second on a wild pitch. Steve Caravati (So., Dover, Ohio/Dover) singled to short to move Snavely to third and then the throw by shortstop Alan Cattrysse to first sailed wide of the bag. Snavely scored on the error and Caravati moved to second. After sliding over to third on a ground out by Paul Farinacci (So., Westlake Village, Calif./Agoura). He was left there after Cody Caughenbaugh (Fr., Newark, Ohio/Licking Valley) popped out to short.
Ohio State also left a runner at third in the fifth inning. Wes Schirtzinger (Fr., Westerville, Ohio/Westerville North) had a one-out triple to the gap in right-center field. It was his first career triple. The Buckeyes and Spartans each stranded four runners. The difference was all four runs stranded by Ohio State were left in scoring position. Snavely was left at third in the first inning and Rabin was left at third in the third inning. Only one Spartan runner was left in scoring position.
Schirtzinger was 2-for-2 for the game, while Snavely was 2-for-3 as the Buckeyes out-hit Michigan State 6-3 in the game. MSU (18-30, 8-15) had two errors and Ohio State had one. Ohio State scored in the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. Mike Rabin (So., West Chester, Ohio/Lakota East) singled to left field with one out and then moved to third on a single to right by Snavely. He then stole second before a ground out by Steve Caravati (So., Dover, Ohio/Dover) scored Rabin.
Travis Gulick tied the game in the top of the fourth inning with a lead-off home run to left-center field. It was his 10th home run of the season.
Josh Newman (Jr., Wheelersburg, Ohio/Wheelersburg) picked up the win, allowing just one run (earned) on three hits in his sixth complete game of the season. He also struck out a season-high nine batters in improving to 5-4 on the season. Tim Day got the loss for Michigan State to fall to 3-7. Both Ohio State runs were earned on six hits. He had four strikeouts.
Ohio State and Michigan State will play another seven-inning game Saturday before concluding the series Sunday with a nine-inning game at 1:05 p.m.
