Michigan Tops Michigan State to Win Series; Spartans Take Finale 10-5

Photo: Nick King ~ USA TODAY NETWORK

EAST LANSING ~ Michigan and Michigan State renewed their baseball rivalry this weekend at Jeff Ishbia Field, trading momentum across a three-game series that featured tight finishes before an offensive finale. Michigan won the first two games to secure the series, but Michigan State answered Sunday with a 10–5 victory, avoiding a sweep and closing the weekend with its most complete performance against the Wolverines this season.

Friday night opened under the lights with a pitching duel that stayed close throughout. Michigan State starter Aidan Donovan worked seven innings and kept Michigan’s lineup in check, while senior center Noah Bright’s solo home run tied the game in the middle innings. The turning point came late, as Michigan broke through against the Spartans’ bullpen to pull out a 4–2 win, leaving MSU still searching for timely hits after generating limited offense.

(CONTINUED) Saturday followed a similar script but swung decisively in the middle innings. After Michigan State struck first, Michigan erupted for a five-run fifth that flipped momentum and exposed command issues on the Spartans’ side. Though MSU chipped away late and received steady relief pitching, missed opportunities with runners on base kept the game out of reach, allowing the Wolverines to close out a 6–4 victory and clinch the series.

Facing a potential sweep Sunday, Michigan State responded with urgency at the plate. The Spartans strung together quality at-bats, produced timely extra-base hits and pressured Michigan pitching throughout a 10-run outburst. The 10–5 win snapped MSU’s recent skid in the rivalry and provided a tangible takeaway from the weekend, proof that when the Spartans execute offensively, they can dictate the tone of the matchup.