May 11, 2012
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Joe Haase retired the leadoff man in all nine innings en route to pitching his third career complete-game shutout, leading No. 14 Purdue baseball to a program-record 38th victory of the season, 4-0 over Michigan Friday afternoon at Lambert Field.
The Boilermakers (38-9, 15-4 Big Ten) can clinch at least a share of their first Big Ten title since 1909 with a win Saturday. Game two of the final weekend series in the 48-year history of Lambert Field is set for noon and will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.
Purdue improved to 12-1 when Haase has started this season, 8-0 on Fridays and 11-2 at home. In his final start at Lambert, Haase (8-1) allowed only one runner to advance past first base while working nine innings of four-hit ball. He struck out a career-high seven for the fourth time and did not issue a walk for the fifth time this season. The senior earned his 16th career win.
Kevin Plawecki and Barrett Serrato each connected for a solo home run. Serrato also drove in the game's first run with a two-out single in the fourth inning to record his fourth straight multi-hit game.
Plawecki went deep with one out in the sixth inning, launching the ball over the left field foul pole for his fifth homer of the year and 15th career. Serrato connected for his team-leading sixth long ball of the year in the eighth inning, hitting the scoreboard in right field for the second year in a row against Michigan (20-30, 6-13 Big Ten). Serrato homered for the fourth consecutive weekend.
David Miller led the way with three hits, driving in a run with a two-out single in the sixth inning.
Michigan starter Brandon Sinnery (4-5) also went the distance, pitching his fourth complete game of the season. He retired nine of the first 10 batters but did not have a 1-2-3 inning after the second inning. Purdue struck out only once against the senior right-hander.
Eric Charles led off the fourth inning with a base hit, reaching base safely in a 33rd consecutive Big Ten game dating back to last year, and took second a sacrifice bunt by Cameron Perkins. Serrato delivered the timely hit later in the inning, recording his team-leading 24th two-out RBI of the year.
Miller registered his 17th two-out RBI of the year when he plated Angelo Cianfrocco in the sixth inning with a single through the right side. Cianfrocco ran through a stop sign from third base coach Doug Schreiber, but still scored without a play.
Ryan Bridges also posted his fourth straight multi-hit game. He started as the designated hitter Friday and is now 9-for-15 in his last four games.
Haase recorded five 1-2-3 innings, retiring nine consecutive batters and 17 of 18 from the third through ninth innings. Patrick Biondi's two-out triple in the sixth inning accounted for Michigan's only base runner that advanced past first base.
The Boilermakers defeated Michigan in shutout fashion in the series opener at Lambert for the second year in a row. Prior to last season, Purdue had not shutout the Wolverines since 1993.
With the victory, Purdue clinched a Big Ten Tournament berth for the fifth consecutive year. That represents the longest active streak in the league as well as the longest in program history.