April 26, 2009
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota's Derek McCallum hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to break open a one-run contest, as the Golden Gophers swept a three-game conference series against Purdue with a 5-2 win in the finale at the Metrodome on Sunday.
The Boilers' sixth straight conference loss dropped them to 17-21 overall and 5-9 in the Big Ten. The Gophers, who were swept in a four-game series against Purdue last season in West Lafayette, improved to 27-12 for the season and 10-4 in league games.
McCallum's team-leading 11th homer of the season off of Purdue starter Matt Morgan provided just enough breathing room for the Gopher bullpen to close out the win and secure the sweep.
The Boilermakers made things interesting in the ninth, getting a leadoff single by pinch hitter Ben Wolgamot followed by a walk to Alex Jaffee to bring the tying run to the plate with nobody out.
Minnesota closer Scott Matyas entered the game for Luke Rasmussen and struck out Barrett Serrato looking and got Brandon Haveman to ground into a game-ending double play to nail down his team-leading eighth save of the year.
The Gophers took advantage of two walks in the second inning to plate a pair runs on a two-run single by Nohelty to open the scoring in the contest and jump out to a 2-0 lead.
Purdue answered with a lone run in the top of the third on a run-scoring double by Barrett Serrato with nobody out, but Minnesota starter Seth Rosin struck out Haveman, Eric Charles and Dan Black in consecutive at bats to maintain the one-run advantage.
After Minnesota extended the lead to 3-1 with a lone run in the bottom of the fifth inning, Purdue loaded the bases in the top of the sixth and trimmed the edge to one again on a two-out bases loaded walk to Jonathan Lilly, but reliever Austin Lubinsky struck out Alex Jaffee to end the frame.
Minnesota's Rosin (4-1) picked up his fourth win of the season, allowing one run on four hits over five innings of work while striking out eight and walking none.
The Gopher pitching staff struck out 12 Boilermaker hitters in the game, including eight punchouts with runners in scoring position.
Purdue's Morgan (3-4) was charged with his fourth loss, surrendering five runs on 11 hits with three strikeouts and three walks.
The Boilers will return to action Tuesday when they heads to Muncie, Ind., for a single midweek game with Ball State. First pitch is scheduled 3 p.m.