EAST LANSING (Interstat) — Michigan State rallied from a one-run deficit with a three-run sixth inning and added two more in the eighth to defeat Eastern Michigan 5-2 on Tuesday.

The Spartans improved to 20-30, while the Eagles fell to 17-33.

Eastern Michigan struck first in the fourth inning. After Zirwas walked and advanced to second on a groundout, Borchardt singled to put runners at the corners. Crane then lined a single down the right-field line, scoring Zirwas and moving Borchardt to second. The rally fizzled when Jellison and Moless flied out to center field, but the Eagles held a 1-0 lead.

Michigan State starter Kyle Rudolph worked three scoreless innings before being relieved by Pikur in the fourth. The Spartans’ bullpen kept the game within reach, and the offense broke through in the bottom of the sixth against the Eastern Michigan bullpen. With one out, Parker Picot homered to left field to tie the game. Seymour followed with a single to right center, and Deckinga walked. After a pitching change, Murphy sacrificed both runners into scoring position. McKay singled on a bunt, scoring Seymour and moving Deckinga to third. Broski then singled down the first-base line on another bunt, driving in Deckinga to give Michigan State a 3-1 lead. The Spartans loaded the bases with two outs, but a strikeout ended the inning.

Eastern Michigan threatened in the seventh, putting two runners on with one out, but Grundman struck out Williams looking to escape the jam. The Spartans added insurance in the eighth. After a bunt single by McKay and a lineout, Sturgess singled to put runners at first and second. Nick Williams then tripled to center field, driving in both runners to extend the lead to 5-1. Williams was caught stealing at home for the second out.

The Eagles did not go quietly in the ninth. Crane led off with a double to left center, and Jellison singled up the middle to cut the deficit to 5-2. Pinch runner Knupp replaced Jellison, and after a strikeout, Schechterma walked. Sydlowski pinch ran for Schechterma, and Williams singled to load the bases with one out. But Hale and Zirwas struck out swinging to end the game.

Parker Picot’s solo home run ignited the Spartans’ comeback. Nick Williams delivered the decisive blow with his two-run triple. For Eastern Michigan, Crane collected three hits, including a double and a single, and drove in the Eagles’ first run.

Michigan State used six pitchers in the victory, while Eastern Michigan employed five. The game was the second meeting between the teams this season; Michigan State won the previous matchup 13-5 on March 10.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Michigan State 6, Eastern Michigan 5, and the Interstat ELO system gave the Spartans a 76.30 percent probability to win.