University of Minnesota Athletics
Six-Game Home Stand Starts with Purdue
4/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jane Sage Stretch Run
After playing far too much of the season away from home, the Gophers begin a six-game home stand this weekend as they begin the final three weeks of the year. The first of three two-game Big Ten series begins on May 1 when the Purdue Boilermakers visit Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. The Gophers and Boilermakers will meet at 1:00 p.m. on each May 1 and 2.
The Records
The Gophers were faced with 19th ranked Ohio State last week, and fell twice to leave their record at 15-31 on the season, and 1-11 in the Big Ten. Minnesota is still searching for their second league win, after opening Big Ten play with a win over Penn State back in late March. Purdue is currently 24-24 on the season and 5-7 in the Big Ten, and got back to .500 with a sweep of Michigan State. The Boilermakers gave Iowa their first Big Ten loss back in early April and had won six of seven before being swept by Michigan last weekend.
The Series
The Gophers hold a slim 19-18 edge over the Boilermakers in the all-time series, having met just 35 times, the third fewest for Minnesota among Big Ten opponents. In conference games the series is dead even with the match-up tied 17-17 all time. Purdue has won six of the last eight in the series, but Minnesota has been on top of late, winning two of the last three. Since the year 2000, the Gophers are 8-10 against the Boilermakers.
Last Match-Up
Last season the two teams split a pair of games in West Lafayette, Ind. The Gophers got the upper hand in the first game, scoring a 6-4 win, but the Boilermakers salvaged the split with a 2-1 win in game two. Minnesota out-hit Purdue 7-to-4 in the game one win and got three RBI from Natalie Neal to aid the decision. In game two, a two-run third was enough to get the win and series split for the Boilermakers.
Follow Along
Fans, follow along with the action of the Minnesota-Purdue series with Live Stats through GopherSports.com. To log on just visit the softball schedule page on www.GopherSports.com.
Last Time Out
Last weekend, Minnesota met up with their third top-ranked opponent of the season in No. 19 Ohio State. The Gophers put up a valiant effort, but came away with two losses, including a narrow 2-1 loss in game won. The first game was played over two days, after being suspended due to rain. The  Buckeyes score twice in the second inning of game one and the Gophers answered with one in the third, but that was as close as it would get as OSU held on for the win. In game two, Ohio State scored four runs in the first and never looked back on their way to a 13-5 win. In the loss, the Gophers scored runs in each inning from the second through the fifth, but it was not enough to keep pace.
Next Up
The Gophers get to stay home next weekend, as they continue on their six-game home stand. Next weekend they host border rival Iowa on May 8 and 9, with each game set for a 1:00 p.m. start, live on Big Ten Network.
Scouting Purdue
24-24 on the season after sweeping Michigan State on Apr. .28. Have reached the .500 mark for just the second time all season, but have never been over .500. Opened the season with a four-game losing streak. Opened Big Ten play 0-2 with a sweep to Northwestern. Went 31-20 last season and placed sixth in the Big Ten with a 12-8 mark. Have played in the NCAA tournament the last two seasons. Winners in eight of their last 11 games. Hold a 6-5 record in road games. Molly Garst is the only player batting above .300 with a .369 average, adding 12 doubles, three triples and two home runs. Suzie Rzegocki is 19-19 with a 2.61 ERA in 247.0 innings pitched with 196 strikeouts.­
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