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batted balls · 07-29-2006, 04:06 PM

May 17, 2007

East Lansing, Mich.--From day one of spring training Michigan State manager John Kobs urged his Spartans to forget last year and give it their all this season. Kob's team has done just that.

Michigan State, 58-104 a season ago, has run off three straight victories and has won seven of its last 10. Fresh off a sweep of Notre Dame in South Bend, the Spartans find themselves in a tie with two other teams for fifth place in the All-American Baseball League East.

"It's amazing what a little confidence will do," said Kobs. "Our theme this year is 'What's Stopping Us?'"

Against the Fighting Irish, apparently nothing. The Spartans outscored Notre Dame 14-8 in the series sweep.

"This isn't the same Michigan State team from a year ago," said Notre Dame manager Pat Murphy.

Michigan State's turnaround appears to have as much to do with attitude as hitting and pitching.

"We won't knock you over statistically," said Kobs. "But we will grind out every pitch and every at-bat."

The Spartans have relied heavily on production from the heart of their order. Third baseman Steve Garvey, who bats third, carries the East's second best average at .353 despite being plagued by a shoulder ailment. Cleanup hitter Kirk Gibson has bounced back from a terrible 2006. Gibson, who hit just .193 last season, leads Michigan State with five home runs and 31 RBIs. Fifth-place hitter Rick Miller and Garvey each have 24 RBIs.

"It's definitely a different feeling around here," said Miller, the East's Player of the Week after hitting .435 during that span.

"People aren't going to just throw out their gloves and beat us anymore," continued Miller (shown below).

At the end of the game, Michigan State still has All-Star stopper Dick "The Monster" Radatz to close the door. Radatz, who saved 28 games last season, is 6-for-7 in save chances this year.

"Radatz is exactly what his nickname suggests," Murphy said.

Diamond Notes: Will Clark of Mississippi State has been out of the Bulldog lineup with an inflamed back . . . Notre Dame has lost seven straight games and dropped into last place . . . A bright spot for the Fighting Irish has been Louis Sockalexis. The left fielder is 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts and is reported to be the fastest player in the league . . . Michigan rookie Charlie Gehringer has a 10-game hitting streak and has raised his average to .289 . . . Mississippi State right-hander Jonathan Papelbon had his six-game win streak snapped in a 4-0 loss Friday to Bryan Hickerson and the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Stat of the Week: Despite being ranked 15th in team batting average (.236) and 18th in home runs (14), Michigan is sixth in runs scored (156).

East Standings

Team W L PCT GB
Michigan 26 16 .619 --
Ivy 25 17 .595 1.0
Mississippi State 25 17 .595 1.0
Miami 22 20 .524 4.0
Illinois 20 22 .476 6.0
Michigan State 20 22 .476 6.0
Minnesota 20 22 .476 6.0
Florida State 18 24 .429 8.0
Louisiana State 18 24 .429 8.0
Notre Dame 16 26 .381 10.0

07-29-2006, 04:06 PM	#193 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Surging Michigan State Looking to Erase Memory of Last Season May 17, 2007 East Lansing, Mich.--From day one of spring training Michigan State manager John Kobs urged his Spartans to forget last year and give it their all this season. Kob's team has done just that. Michigan State, 58-104 a season ago, has run off three straight victories and has won seven of its last 10. Fresh off a sweep of Notre Dame in South Bend, the Spartans find themselves in a tie with two other teams for fifth place in the All-American Baseball League East. "It's amazing what a little confidence will do," said Kobs. "Our theme this year is 'What's Stopping Us?'" Against the Fighting Irish, apparently nothing. The Spartans outscored Notre Dame 14-8 in the series sweep. "This isn't the same Michigan State team from a year ago," said Notre Dame manager Pat Murphy. Michigan State's turnaround appears to have as much to do with attitude as hitting and pitching. "We won't knock you over statistically," said Kobs. "But we will grind out every pitch and every at-bat." The Spartans have relied heavily on production from the heart of their order. Third baseman Steve Garvey, who bats third, carries the East's second best average at .353 despite being plagued by a shoulder ailment. Cleanup hitter Kirk Gibson has bounced back from a terrible 2006. Gibson, who hit just .193 last season, leads Michigan State with five home runs and 31 RBIs. Fifth-place hitter Rick Miller and Garvey each have 24 RBIs. "It's definitely a different feeling around here," said Miller, the East's Player of the Week after hitting .435 during that span. "People aren't going to just throw out their gloves and beat us anymore," continued Miller (shown below). At the end of the game, Michigan State still has All-Star stopper Dick "The Monster" Radatz to close the door. Radatz, who saved 28 games last season, is 6-for-7 in save chances this year. "Radatz is exactly what his nickname suggests," Murphy said. Diamond Notes: Will Clark of Mississippi State has been out of the Bulldog lineup with an inflamed back . . . Notre Dame has lost seven straight games and dropped into last place . . . A bright spot for the Fighting Irish has been Louis Sockalexis. The left fielder is 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts and is reported to be the fastest player in the league . . . Michigan rookie Charlie Gehringer has a 10-game hitting streak and has raised his average to .289 . . . Mississippi State right-hander Jonathan Papelbon had his six-game win streak snapped in a 4-0 loss Friday to Bryan Hickerson and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Stat of the Week: Despite being ranked 15th in team batting average (.236) and 18th in home runs (14), Michigan is sixth in runs scored (156). East Standings Team W L PCT GB Michigan 26 16 .619 -- Ivy 25 17 .595 1.0 Mississippi State 25 17 .595 1.0 Miami 22 20 .524 4.0 Illinois 20 22 .476 6.0 Michigan State 20 22 .476 6.0 Minnesota 20 22 .476 6.0 Florida State 18 24 .429 8.0 Louisiana State 18 24 .429 8.0 Notre Dame 16 26 .381 10.0 Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 07-29-2006 at 05:50 PM.