May 2, 2003

Box Score

Champaign, Ill. - MSU starter Bryan Gale faced the minimum through seven games as the Spartans rolled to a 9-3 win over Illinois in a Big Ten series opener at Illinois Field. The loss dropped Illinois to 22-20 overall and 8-13 in the Big Ten while MSU improved to 15-27 overall and 7-12 in Conference play.

"Except for that fifth inning, we were right in the game," Illini head coach Itch Jones said. "It was tough because we're not used to Ted Rowe giving up 10 hits in five innings. We were never able to get anything started until it was too late."

MSU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third before scoring five in the top of the fourth to open a commanding 6-0 lead. After chasing Illini starter Ted Rowe, the Spartans added a pair of runs in the fifth off reliever Jeff Paarlberg to give MSU an 8-0 lead.

In the meantime, MSU starter Bryan Gale threw 5 1/3 perfect innings to open the game, striking out the side in the third, before Sean Patrick broke up the perfect game with a single to right with one out in the bottom of the sixth.

John Kowalski pitched the bottom of the eighth for Illinois and the Illini took no time adjusting to the new pitcher. Chris Robinson led off with a single and Brandon Cashman brought the game to 8-2 with a towering home run to left, his seventh of the season and third of the week. Dusty Bensko followed with a double to left, went to third on a throwing error and scored on a ground ball to the right side off the bat of T.F. Meagher.

MSU got its final run in the top of the ninth on a home run off the bat of James Moreno against Illini reliever Andy Schutzenhofer, who was making his first career appearance on the mound. After walking the next batter, Schutzenhofer retired the next three he faced in order.

Rowe (3-5) suffered the loss after allowing eight runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings of work. Gale (6-5) earned the win. He threw seven shutout innings, allowing only two hits, and faced the minimum after both those runners were erased by double plays.

Illinois and Michigan State continue their Conference series with a 4:05 p.m. doubleheader Saturday before the series concludes with a 1:05 p.m. game Sunday at Illinois Field.