May 9, 2008

Box Score

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Senior right-hander Mike Monterey pitched a complete game, allowing just one run on eight hits and MSU scored four runs in the top of the ninth as the Michigan State baseball (23-23, 11-13 Big Ten) team defeated Purdue, 6-1, at a rainy Lambert Field. Sophomore Chris Roberts went 3-for-4 with three RBI and senior Steve Gerstenberger had an RBI single to lead the Spartans. The MSU win marked the first Big Ten Friday loss for Purdue this season.

Monterey (3-3) outdueled Purdue ace Matt Bischoff in a classic pitcher's duel. Monterey tore through the Boilermaker lineup, only facing more than four batters in an inning once. He struck out three and walked two in his first career complete game.

"Coming into this weekend, we knew we needed strong pitching to compete with one of the top two teams in the Big Ten. And we got just that in Mike Monterey," head coach David Grewe said. "I was proud of the way he pitched, and I'm proud of the way the team responded."

Bischoff (4-3) was nearly as strong, allowing two runs (one earned) and six hits over eight innings. He struck out one and didn't walk any Spartan batters.

Leading 2-1 heading into the final inning, MSU scored four runs after Bischoff exited the game. With one out and a runner on first, back-to-back singles loaded the bases with Spartans. Gerstenberger then smacked a single to right, scoring junior Eric Roof. Michigan State extended the lead to 4-1. A two-run single off the bat of Roberts made it 5-1. Two batters later, Gerstenberger scored on a Purdue fielding error for the final run of the game.

Each team scored a run in the first inning. Roberts singled home Jonathan Roof to give the Spartans an early lead in their first at-bat. Purdue answered when Brandon Haveman singled and scored on an MSU error.

Holm gave MSU the lead in the top of the fourth when he reached on a fielding error by PU shortstop Nick Overmyer. He scored on a throwing error by catcher Eric Nielsen as he attempted to steal third base.

Nielsen was the only Boilermaker with two hits. Purdue (26-21, 17-8 Big Ten) has now lost four straight games.

The Spartans and Boilermakers continue their four-game series with a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.

NOTES
Roberts extended his hitting streak to nine. He is hitting .613 (19-31) during that stretch... Roberts also made a diving catch in left field that saved at least one run in the bottom of the fourth...Doherty picked up his first multi-hit game since March 15...A light rain drizzle fell beginning in the fourth inning, and it strengthened the rest of the game...Purdue botched a delayed steal in the third inning. With runners on the corners, Comadena took off for second after a pitch. Day fired to third base and picked up Haveman to end the inning.