Photo: Jeff Faughender ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State baseball couldn’t have asked for a better start to its 2026 season, taking down No. 8 Louisville on the road and claiming a statement series win. The Spartans opened the weekend by grinding out a 4-3 victory on Friday, highlighted by senior first baseman Randy Seymour’s clutch eighth-inning home run that snapped a tie and ultimately secured the upset. Behind him, sophomore pitcher Aidan Donovan delivered five composed innings, allowing just one run in his first major test as the new opening-day starter. The bullpen held strong, and MSU walked away with its biggest ranked road win in more than a decade.
If Friday was gritty, Saturday was a full-on explosion. Michigan State stormed past Louisville 13-4, powered by one of the most memorable individual performances the program has seen in years. Junior outfielder Parker Picot delivered eight RBIs and launched two home runs, including a grand slam that broke the game open. Seymour stayed hot with another home run and three more RBIs, and redshirt freshman pitcher Brady Chambers held the Cardinals in check. The win sealed the series and marked the highest-ranked series victory of head coach Jake Boss Jr.’s tenure.
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(CONTINUED) Louisville finally pushed back Sunday, avoiding the sweep with a 9-1 win behind a dazzling collegiate starting debut from senior pitcher Wyatt Danilowicz. The right-hander struck out nine across six innings and didn’t allow a baserunner until the third. The Cardinals built a quick lead with three runs in the first inning and never let Michigan State back into it, piecing together 13 hits in all. Even so, the Spartans finished the weekend with a convincing series win, something few teams leave Louisville with in February.
Off the field, Michigan State delivered more big news: The university announced that head coach Jake Boss Jr. had signed a contract extension through 2029. The timing couldn’t have been more fitting, as Boss entered his 18th season at the helm just as the Spartans were taking on a top-10 opponent. With 468 wins and a track record of player development and draft success, Boss remains one of the most accomplished coaches in program history. His extension signals Michigan State’s confidence in the direction of the program, and the weekend’s results only reinforced that belief.
The Spartans will go to Texas this weekend for a three-game series.
