GREENVILLE, S.C. – First-year
Liam Wilson hit his first collegiate home run, but Harvard University baseball dropped an 11-1 decision to Michigan State on Saturday night at Fluor Field – the home of the Greenville Drive, the High-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
In the midst of a stretch of five straight games against opponents from the Big Ten and eight straight against opponents from Power Four conferences, the Crimson (0-5) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first behind Wilson's home run before the Spartans (8-1) plated the game's final 11 runs to take the contest in seven innings.
Wilson launched his first career homer with a blast over the 420-foot marker in center field while sophomore
Jack Rickheim went 2-for-3 for his second two-hit game of the season.
Harvard Highlights
- First-year Liam Wilson finished 1-for-2 with a home run, RBI, run, and a walk. He launched his first collegiate homer with a solo shot past the 420-foot marker in center field.
- Sophomore Jack Rickheim went 2-for-3 for his second multi-hit game of the year
- Senior George Cooper and junior Mac Lane each notched a hit and a walk.
- Seniors William Lybrook and Matt Giberti each added a hit.
- Sophomore right-hander Truman Pauley threw 4.0 innings in the start, allowing three runs – all earned – on one hit with five strikeouts.
- The Crimson tallied seven hits as a team, matching the Spartans' total number of hits for the game.
How It Happened
- Wilson started the game's scoring with a solo home run to center field in the top of the first giving the Crimson a 1-0 lead.
- The Spartans responded with three runs in the bottom of the third taking a 3-1 lead.
- Michigan State increased its advantage to 8-1 behind five runs in the last of the fifth.
- The designated hosts added two runs in the sixth and one run in the seventh to take the decision in seven innings.
Next Up
Harvard plays Michigan State in the series finale tomorrow – Sunday, Mar. 2 – at noon (ESPN+).
