EAST LANSING, Mich. (Interstat) — Michigan State routed Illinois State 10-0 on Thursday afternoon behind a combined shutout from four pitchers. The Spartans improved to 21-30, while the Redbirds fell to 30-21.

Ben Kochany led the pitching staff with 2 1/3 innings of hitless relief, striking out two. Aidan Donovan added three innings of two-hit, three-strikeout work. Carson Cormier took the loss for Illinois State, allowing two earned runs in three innings.

Michigan State scored single runs in the second and third innings, with Randy Seymour’s sacrifice fly and a throwing error giving the Spartans a 3-0 lead. The hosts broke the game open with three runs in the fifth, keyed by Issac Sturgess’ RBI single and CJ Deckinga’s bases-loaded walk. Four more runs crossed in the sixth, including Sturgess’ two-run double and a run-scoring groundout by Seymour.

Sturgess finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Parker Picot went 3 for 3 with an RBI and three runs scored. Illinois State managed only four hits. The series continues Friday and Saturday.