Going from paying for equipment, with no scholarship, at a Division III school, to playing Division I baseball at Michigan State, a high-academic standing school focused on its athletics, can be a big change. 

That change is a reality for a pair of MSU baseball pitchers in Aaron Mishoulam and Nick Ferazzi, players who transferred from southern schools with great baseball cultures. 

These players decided to leave the nearly year-round nice weather to come play in a colder environment to continue their schooling past their bachelor's degrees. It was all for the love of the game and to further their education in a Power Five conference. 

MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. said the pitchers have developed and earned their spots here at MSU. 

"I think they were probably ready to go a little quicker than the other newcomers just because of their age and their maturity," said Boss. "I think they have a great appreciation for some of the things that we have here at Michigan State."

Ferazzi originally studied at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, and the change to a school up north was not easy. He said that Michigan State's Broad College of Business is what originally caught his eye, but he stayed for the beauty of East Lansing's campus. 

"I was looking to get my Master's in Finance, so that's what I mostly came here," said Ferazzi. "It's a great program, great coaching staff, great team, beautiful place." 

Mishoulam said he was spoiled by Emory University, his small Division III school in Atlanta, Georgia. Though Emory has a historically great baseball program, he was ready to step it up and leave the nice weather to work towards his Master's in social work and compete in a Power Five conference.  

"I'd say the biggest thing that made me want to come here was competing in the Big Ten," said Mishoulam. "Playing at the next level, potentially, and just getting an opportunity to showcase my talents and skills at this level."
 

Ferazzi was in for a big change. He was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He has some Michigan roots, but the charge to the environment is still a challenge. 

"My dad's originally from Michigan," said Ferazzi. "I've been up here quite a few times, so I'm kind of aware of how much the weather (can change), and it took some time to get accustomed to it."

Unlike Ferazzi, Mishoulam is a Midwesterner, originally from Chicago. He is accustomed to the ever-changing Michigan weather. 

"Yeah, it does (feel good to be back in the Midwest)," said Mishoulam. "It's nice to be driving distance from home. It's just nice to be a little bit closer to home." 

The recruiting process for graduate students is a little different. Coaches are looking in the portal for experienced players. Boss said that the experience from these two players is what impressed him. 

"The maturity level that these guys could bring in and the idea that they can come in and contribute right away I think is probably the most important thing," said Boss. 

Getting the call from Boss is an exciting moment for all future MSU baseball players but, especially for Ferazzi.

"I was ecstatic," said Ferazzi. "It's a very good opportunity to play here and, at a Power Five conference, and see if I can play at the next level."

Mishoulam was excited to play at the next level too. 

"Definitely a blessing and made me feel really special just being able to kind of represent such a great athletic school," said Mishoulam. 

Not only have Mishoulam and Ferazzi represented Michigan State, they've contributed on the mound as well. 

Mishoulam currently leads the staff with a 2.98 ERA and a 3-1 record with two saves in 15 appearances, ranking third on the team in both wins and strikeouts (41). Last weekend, Mishoulam pitched in all three games of the Michigan series, picking up one win and yielding only one run and no hits with seven strikeouts for an 0.00 ERA in helping Michigan State to its first B1G series sweep over Michigan since 2016. He took over on the mound to open the ninth in Friday night's game, and chalked up four Ks in 2.0 IP without a hit or run, earning the win in the 3-2 10th-inning walk-off Victory for MSU. In Saturday's 12-8 win, came on in the top of the ninth for his second relief outing in as many games, and just like Friday night, he retired the Wolverines in order without a hit, ringing up a strikeout and back-to-back flyouts to end the game, that despite not a save situation, secured and sealed the win. Mishoulam then came on in ninth of Sunday's game, pitching the ninth and 10th innings with two strikeouts and one hit in 2.0 IP. UM later won the game in the 12th.

Ferazzi has 13 appearances with eight starts, while ranking third on the team in innings pitched (43.0), ranking fourth on the staff in strikeouts (31) and fifth in appearances (13). He fired a Spartan career-high seven strikeouts in 6.0 IP on March 24 at Maryland. Ferazzi has four outings with three or more strikeouts. He also posted back-to-back outings without yielding a hit or run, with one K vs. Georgia on Feb. 28, and adding two punchouts on March 2 vs. Western Michigan in game one of the day, then returned to mound in nightcap against Florida State, foing 1.2 IP of relief with one strikeout.

After Tuesday's game vs. Bowling Green was cancelled due to inclement weather, Mishoulam, Ferazzi and the Spartans resume B1G weekend action for thier final regular-season road trip, heading to Minneapolis to play a three-game weekend series at Minnesota, Friday-Sunday, May 10-12, with the series-opener starting at 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT on Friday. Saturday's first pitch is slated for 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT, before wrapping up with the series finale on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT.

MSU returns home for its final four games of the 2024 regular-season, opening with a non-conference match-up with Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, May 14 in a 6:05 p.m. first pitch.

The Spartans then host Nebraska in a three-game B1G weekend series, Thursday-Saturday, May 16-18.  Thursday and Friday's game are 6:05 p.m. start times, while Saturday's is slated for a 1:05 p.m. first pitch. Saturday is also MSU's Senior Day as the Spartans will honor their senior players and managers in a pre-game ceremony, so fans are encouraged to arrive early to join in the celebration.

Fans can follow the action with "Tickets," "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links at MSUSpartans.com.
 
Michigan State's schedule is subject to change, stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates.

Individual game tickets are also on sale through the Spartan Ticket Office.