Good morning! And Happy B1G Tournament Day to all who celebrate! We’ve got about 12 hours until first pitch tonight—plenty of time to watch Greg Ziegler snag the line drive to centerfield that clinched a spot in Omaha for the Spartans and re-live the postgame celebrations from Michigan State over the weekend.

What else are we mixing into today's Brew?

⚾ Terps on tap
🤝 Baseball and service in the Carribean
⚔️ And much, much more

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Terps On Tap. For the first time since 2018, Michigan State baseball is headed to the Big Ten Tournament—and the Spartans will be the No. 8 seed in the B1G Tournament, facing off against regular-season champion and No. 1 seed Maryland on in Game 3 of today’s Opening Day. First pitch is slated for 7:00pm ET.

How can the Spartans pull an upset over the Terps? And what players should you be keeping an eye on tonight? We’re glad you asked!

🎯 Michigan State and Maryland may be the most separate teams in the Big Ten Tournament with the No. 8 and No. 1 seeds, respectively, but not when it comes to offensive firepower.

Today’s matchup between the Spartans and Terps features the top two teams when it comes to team batting average. And two of the top three teams in the conference when it comes to on-base percentage.

Player To Watch: Brock Vradenburg and his .397 batting average makes him the top hitter in this game—for either team.

3️⃣ There aren’t many offensive statistical categories where Michigan State is the clear​ favorite, but the Spartans have the Terps easily beat—triples.

Michigan State has amassed 29 triples on the season, good for best in the Big Ten. And when you look at these two teams and their per-game averages with extra base hits, the Spartans (2.53) are nearly identical to the Terps (2.55).

Player To Watch: Mitch Jebb led the way with seven triples, best on the team and in the Big Ten this season.

🔥 Michigan State pitchers have combined for a 5.50 ERA, fifth-best in the Big Ten. And their bullpen has been helping them out all season, amassing 12 saves on the season.

Maryland, however, hasn’t been as fortunate—combining for a 6.01 ERA, third-worst in the conference. These two teams are more similar than their tournament seeding might let on.

Player To Watch: Nick Powers and his 4.28 ERA is seventh in the Big Ten this year.

🤔 SPARTAN TRIVIA

Three cheers. We mentioned above that Mitch Jebb leads the team in triples. But there’s someone nipping at his heels who’s helped Michigan State lead the conference in three-baggers this season…

Who is currently second on the team in triples?

Think you got it? Scroll down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

⚔️ ONE BIG THING

During winter break of 2022, Michigan State baseball players Trent Farquhar, Christian Williams, Bryan Broecker, and former Spartan player Caleb Sleeman departed from East Lansing to the Caribbean. They got on the plane, not with a vacation in mind, but to invest their lives over Christmas break, working with Athletes In Action group.

AIA—founded in 1966—is a Christian athletics organization focused on combining faith and sport.

Read more about how this trip changed these Spartans’ lives as they brought baseball camps and clean water to underdeveloped areas.

📬 STICK WITH US

Did someone send you the Spartan Brew? Subscribe here and get it in your inbox every weekday morning just in time for your first cup of coffee!

📅 THE DAY AHEAD

Tuesday 5/23

⚾ Baseball vs. Maryland @ 7:00pm ET on FOX Sports | Live Video

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Casey Mayes!

With five triples so far this year, Casey Mayes is tied for second in the Big Ten.

Have a great Tuesday, everyone.