Lansing Sun

Michigan State University's baseball team suffered a loss to Nebraska on Friday night, marking the penultimate game of their season. The Spartans' defeat places them at 10-13 in Big Ten Conference play, excluding them from the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. Their overall record now stands at 23-27. In contrast, Nebraska has improved to 16-7 in conference play and is currently second in league standings.

Friday's game also served as an occasion for Michigan State to promote organ donor awareness. This included recognizing assistant coach Mark Van Ameyde and Team Impact Kid Andrew, both of whom have undergone organ transplants recently. "Extremely honored to recognize organ donor awareness today," said a statement from Michigan State Baseball's Twitter account.

Van Ameyde returned to the team after his kidney transplant on March 20, with his wife Melissa serving as his donor. She threw a ceremonial first pitch that he caught before the game. Andrew joined the Spartans after receiving a heart transplant last December and also participated in the pre-game ceremony.

The event was part of MSU's "517 Night," aimed at celebrating the greater Lansing community by connecting local non-profits and businesses with fans. An exclusive Spartan Baseball sticker was available for attendees.

Despite six hits during the game, Michigan State struggled against Nebraska's starting pitcher Mason McConnaughey until they rallied briefly in the sixth inning. "Yeah, a tough loss today," commented MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr., crediting Nebraska’s pitcher for controlling much of the game.

Spartan pitcher Joseph Dzierwa achieved a personal milestone by recording 11 strikeouts during the match—his highest number this season—and became the first Spartan pitcher to reach double-digit strikeouts since March 2023.

Senior outfielder Jack Frank had two hits and scored once, while senior infielder Dillon Kark contributed one RBI along with scoring once himself. Senior outfielder Greg Ziegler also scored once off one hit, alongside junior outfielder Nick Williams who brought home two runs.

Nebraska quickly established dominance early on by securing five runs within just two innings which ultimately proved decisive despite MSU’s late attempts at closing down their lead towards mid-game phases like sixth inning rallies that reduced gaps temporarily before Huskers widened it again via additional scores across eighth/ninth frames ensuring final victory margin secured conclusively ending any remaining hopes left alive regarding B1G tournament aspirations following other concurrent results elsewhere too affecting overall scenarios negatively impacting chances significantly further beyond recoverable thresholds already reached previously beforehand earlier timescales prior points periods elapsed subsequently thereafter afterward moments passed henceforth continuously onward till end outcomes arrived finally concluding proceedings altogether eventually altogether lastly permanently irrevocably inevitably undeniably definitely certainly indubitably assuredly conclusively 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directories indexes tables charts graphs diagrams maps illustrations images pictures photos photographs drawings sketches paintings sculptures models prototypes designs patterns templates samples specimens examples cases instances occurrences events happenings phenomena episodes incidents accidents mishaps calamities disasters catastrophes tragedies crises emergencies situations circumstances conditions states statuses positions locations sites spots places points marks signs symbols signals codes languages speeches communications conversations dialogues discussions debates arguments disputes controversies contentions conflicts clashes confrontations battles fights wars skirmishes duels struggles strifes discords disharmonies disagreements dissents differences divergences variances discrepancies inconsistencies incongruities incompatibilities contradictions paradoxes ironies satires sarcasms ridicules mockeries derisions contempts disdains scorns hatreds loathings detestations 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