Feb. 27, 2004

Final Stats

LAS VEGAS - Michigan State baseball opened the 2004 season with a 7-6 victory against UNLV under the Las Vegas lights Friday, Feb. 27. Junior pitcher Jon Kowalski (Sterling Heights, Mich.) snagged the win for the Spartans in 3.1 innings of work, anchoring the MSU defense with four strikeouts in the seventh and eighth innings. Up just one run in the bottom of the ninth, senior left-hander Ryan Kurtz (Toledo, Ohio) recorded two outs to earn the save.

Freshman designated hitter Sean Walker (Round Lake, Ill.) was 2-for-3 at the plate with one run and one RBI, while sophomore shortstop Alan Cattrysse (Chatham, Ontario) went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Senior right fielder David Miller (Whitehall, Mich.) added a two-run double in the top of the seventh to bring MSU to within one run of the Rebels, going 1-for-5, which proved to be a key point for the Spartans.

"A win is a great way to start the season," Spartan head coach Ted Mahan said. "This opens the year on the right foot for us. It's great to be playing outside and getting a look at how this team works together on the field."

Cattrysse started the season right for the Spartans with a single to left field, advancing to second on a stolen base. Junior center fielder Travis Gulick (East Lansing, Mich.) and senior first baseman Scott Koerber (Harper Woods, Mich.) got on base with UNLV defensive errors, advancing Cattrysse to third before David Miller got out on a fly ball to left.

Senior third baseman James Moreno (Holt, Mich.) led off the second with a single to right, stole second and scored on Walker's double to right. Walker advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a ground out to short by Cattrysse, tying the game at 2-2. UNLV posted another run in the bottom of the third to regain the lead, 3-2.

On the mound to start the game for Michigan State, senior right-hander Bryan Gale (Decatur, Mich.) threw five innings, allowing six runs, three earned, on seven hits. Gale produced seven strikeouts and surrendered two home runs before giving way to Kowalski in the sixth.

Miller's double to left center field in the top of the seventh brought the Spartans within one run, 6-5, as Gulick scored from second and Koerber scored from first. Gulick got on base when he was hit by a pitch and quickly stole second before Koerber earned his third base-on-balls of the evening.

With momentum on their side, the Spartans turned up the defense as Kowalski struck out two-straight batters in the bottom of the seventh.

In the top of the eighth, MSU took the lead, 7-6, as freshman E.J. Daws (Bozeman, Mont.) scored on an Erik Morris (Orchard Lake, Mich.) single to right field.

Kowalski continued to lead the defensive charge, catching UNLV's Zeke Parraz and Ebarb looking in the bottom of the eighth.

In the top of the ninth, UNLV's defense held the Spartans in check with three straight outs. The Rebels opened the bottom of the ninth at the top of the order, but were unable to put together any offense and Michigan State registered a win in its first outing of the year, 7-6.

State totaled 10 hits, including doubles from Cattrysse, Miller and Walker. With the win, Kowalski's career record moves to 3-0 in nine appearances.

The Rebels fall to 5-5 on the season as the loss marks UNLV's first home setback of the year. Michigan State and UNLV continue the three-game series Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. at Earl E. Wilson Stadium in Las Vegas.