EVANSTON, Ill. (Interstat) — The Northwestern Wildcats rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to erase a two-run deficit and defeat the Michigan State Spartans 8-6 in a Big Ten Conference baseball game Sunday at Rocky Miller Park.

The comeback victory secured a series win for Northwestern, which took two of three games from the visiting Spartans. The Wildcats improved to 12-15-1 overall, while Michigan State fell to 10-19.

The game’s decisive turn came in the eighth after Michigan State catcher Noah Bright had extended the Spartans’ lead to 6-4 with a solo home run in the top of the inning. It was Bright’s fifth hit in as many at-bats on the afternoon.

Northwestern’s response in the bottom half was immediate and relentless. Shortstop Ryan Kucherak led off with a solo homer to right-center, cutting the deficit to one. After a walk to Charlie Lausch, Michigan State turned to its bullpen, but control issues plagued the Spartans. Following a strikeout, two walks loaded the bases. Ryan Counsell delivered a crucial single to tie the game, and a wild pitch advanced all runners.

With the bases still loaded, reliever Brady Chambers entered for Michigan State and walked Owen De Groot to force in the go-ahead run. The Wildcats added a critical insurance run when Kyle McElfatrick reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Counsell. The four-run outburst turned a 6-4 deficit into an 8-6 lead.

Michigan State threatened in the ninth, loading the bases with one out against Wildcats reliever Jack Fryer. Dayton Murphy, who had homered earlier, singled up the middle to drive in two runs, tightening the score to 8-6 and leaving the potential tying runs on base. Fryer escaped further damage by getting Sam Seymour to ground out to shortstop to end the game.

The contest featured strong individual performances amid the late-inning drama. Bright was flawless for the Spartans, going 5 for 5 with a home run, two RBIs and three runs scored. Murphy finished 2 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs.

For Northwestern, starter Ryan Weaver earned a no-decision after a quality start, allowing two earned runs on seven hits over six innings. Noah Ruiz and Kucherak each homered, with Ruiz going 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Michigan State relievers Logan Pikur, Gannon Grundman, Ben Kochany and Brady Chambers combined for 5 2/3 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief before the eighth-inning collapse. Grundman struck out all three batters he faced in the third.

The game began with offensive fireworks. Northwestern’s Jackson Freeman hit a solo home run in the first inning, and Kucherak scored on an Lausch double as the Wildcats quickly answered Michigan State’s early lead.

The Spartans built their advantage with single runs in the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth innings, setting the stage for the Wildcats’ late rally. Michigan State outhit Northwestern 12 to 10 but left 11 runners on base.

The victory gives Northwestern momentum heading into a midweek game at Illinois-Chicago before a home series against Purdue. Michigan State looks to regroup on the road at Notre Dame before a pivotal home series against rival Michigan.