Michigan State Powers Past No. 8 Louisville with Offensive Onslaught in Game Two
Louisville’s season-opening series hasn’t gone according to plan, and Saturday’s matchup against Michigan State only deepened the early-season hole. The No. 8 Cardinals dropped their second straight game to the Spartans, falling 13-4 in a contest that saw Michigan State flex its offensive muscle with three home runs - including a back-breaking grand slam.
Now sitting at 0-2 to start the season, Louisville will look to salvage the series finale on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. But if Saturday’s game is any indication, the Cardinals will need a much sharper performance in all phases to avoid the sweep.
Early Trouble for Louisville on the Mound
Louisville starter Jake Bean ran into trouble right out of the gate. A leadoff single followed by a double into the right-center gap set the tone for Michigan State’s aggressive approach at the plate. A groundout brought in the first run, and a sacrifice fly added another - a quick 2-0 hole before the Cardinals even had a chance to settle in.
To their credit, Louisville answered in the bottom half of the inning. Ben Slanker continued his hot start to the season, driving in Lucas Moore and Tague Davis with a single that tied the game at 2-2. But that would be the last time the Cardinals were level with the Spartans.
The Turning Point: A Six-Run Fourth
The game’s momentum shifted decisively in the fourth inning. Bean worked into the frame but couldn’t escape unscathed.
Michigan State’s rally started innocently enough with back-to-back singles and a double that plated two runs. A runner was tagged out at home on the play, but the Spartans weren’t done.
After two consecutive walks loaded the bases, Louisville brought in reliever TJ Schlageter to try to stop the bleeding. Instead, the inning unraveled. A two-out RBI single was followed by the game’s defining moment - a grand slam that blew the game wide open and put Michigan State up 8-2.
Bean’s final line: 3.2 innings, seven hits, five earned runs, two walks, and no strikeouts. It was a tough outing for a pitcher who’s expected to play a key role in Louisville’s rotation this season.
Cardinals Struggle in Key Situations
The difference in this game came down to execution with runners in scoring position. Michigan State thrived, going 6-for-11 (.545) in those spots.
Louisville, on the other hand, couldn’t find the timely hits, managing just 1-for-8 (.125) with two outs. That disparity told the story.
Louisville scratched across a run in the fifth when Kade Elam scored on a Jimmy Nugent sacrifice fly, but by then, the Spartans had built a commanding lead.
More Damage in the Sixth and Eighth
Michigan State kept its foot on the gas in the sixth, tacking on four more runs - three of them coming on yet another long ball. Schlageter was tagged for six earned runs in 1.1 innings, while Jake Gregor followed with an inning of his own, allowing one run on one hit and a walk, while striking out two.
Joe Olson took over in the seventh with one out and a runner on, and he gave the Cardinals a brief reprieve with a scoreless frame.
Slanker added a bit of late-game shine for Louisville with a solo shot in the eighth - his second home run in as many games. Through two contests, he’s hitting a blistering .714 with five RBI. It’s a small sample size, but Slanker has been a bright spot in an otherwise frustrating start.
Michigan State capped its offensive showcase with a third homer in the eighth, a solo blast that pushed the lead back to nine.
Zane Stahl closed things out on the mound for Louisville in the ninth.
Looking Ahead
There’s no sugarcoating it - this has been a rough opening weekend for Louisville. The pitching has struggled to find rhythm, the bats have been inconsistent, and the Spartans have simply looked like the sharper team. But with one more game left in the series, there’s still a chance for the Cardinals to respond.
Sunday’s finale won’t change the outcome of the series, but it’s an opportunity to reset the tone for the rest of the season. Louisville has the talent - now it’s about execution.