April 19, 2007

Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

MICHIGAN STATE (15-13, 6-5 BIG TEN) AT MINNESOTA (22-7, 5-2 BIG TEN)

Series Information
When: Friday, April 20 - Sunday, April 22
Where: Siebert Field • Minneapolis, Minn.

Media Coverage
TV: Saturday's doubleheader will be televised live on FSN North.
Live Stats: Gametracker of all games available at www.msuspartans.com.

The Lineup
Game 1: Friday, April 20 • 7:35 p.m. ET
Games 2-3: Saturday, April 21 • 3:05 p.m. ET (DH)
Game 4: Sunday, April 22 • 2:05 p.m. ET

Possible Pitching Matchups

Game One:
MSU: Sr. RH Craig Brookes • 6-3 • 200 • Naperville, Ill.
3-2, 1.65 ERA, 49.0 IP, 41 K, .229 OBA
vs.
UM: So. RH Tom Buske • 6-1 • 185 • Apple Valley, Minn.
1-0. 3.15 ERA, 20.0 IP, 15 K, .263 OBA

Game Two:
MSU: Jr. LH Jon Kibler • 6-5 • 210 • Freeland, Md.
3-3, 3.40 ERA, 45.0 IP, 29 K, .250 OBA
vs.
UM: Jr. RH Gary Perinar • 6-1 • 200 • Shorewood, Ill.
1-3, 3.96 ERA, 36.1 IP, 40 K, .234 OBA

Game Three:
MSU: TBA
vs.
UM: Sr. LH Marcus McKenzie • 6-0 • 190 • Minnetonka, Minn.
5-0, 4.91 ERA, 29.1 IP, 12 K, .297 OBA

Game Four:
MSU: Sr. LH John Dwan • 6-0 • 205 • Libertyville, Ill.
3-3, 2.79 ERA, 42.0 IP, 24 K, .221 OBA
vs.
UM: Jr. RH Dustin Brabender • 6-7 • 220 • Oregon, Wis.
3-1, 3.63 ERA, 34.2 IP, 16 K, .264 OBA

SPARTANS, GOPHERS MEET IN KEY BIG TEN SERIES
The Michigan State baseball team heads to Minneapolis this weekend for a key four-game series with second-place Minnesota. The Spartans (15-13) enter the weekend tied for fourth in the league standings with a 6-5 record in Big Ten play. Minnesota is the highest ranked team in the latest RPI ratings, coming in at 27th (WarrenNolan.com). The Gophers have won their first two series in conference action, taking two of three at Penn State and three of four at home against Iowa. Minnesota's entire series at first-place Michigan was canceled.

The top six in the Big Ten standings at the end of the regular season advance to the Big Ten Tournament, hosted by the regular-season champion. With several teams canceling games due to weather this spring, the standings will be determined by percentage points.

MSU won its first two Big Ten series over Indiana and Purdue, but was tripped up by Penn State last weekend at Kobs Field, as the Nittany Lions took three of four from the Spartans. Heading into last weekend, the Spartans had won eight of their last 10 games. MSU's midweek game on Wednesday against Central Michigan was postponed due to rain in Mount Pleasant.

The Spartans will send staff ace Craig Brookes to the mound Friday night. Brookes (3-2) has been superb all season long, as he ranks second in the Big Ten and 15th in the nation with a slim 1.65 ERA. He also ranks third in the league with 41 strikeouts, and opponents are only hitting .229 against him. In his eight appearances, Brookes has thrown six quality starts (at least six innings pitched, three or fewer earned runs).

Junior southpaw Jon Kibler will look to continue his success following his most impressive outing of the season. Kibler tossed his second complete game of the year and limited Penn State to three hits in a 4-1 win last Sunday. Coach David Grewe has yet to announce a starter for the third game of the series.

In Sunday's finale, veteran lefty John Dwan will try and get his first career win over the Gophers. Dwan, a fifth-year senior, did not allow any earned runs in his first two Big Ten starts, but took the loss last Monday after giving up four runs on six hits in 5.0 innings against Penn State.

QUICK LOOK AT THE SPARTANS (15-13, 6-5 BIG TEN)
• MSU is tied for fourth in the Big Ten with Purdue with a 6-5 conference record.
• The Spartans are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
• MSU started out 5-2 in league play, the best start for MSU since the 2004 team won its first six Big Ten games.
• In Big Ten games, the MSU pitching staff is second in the conference with a 2.92 ERA.
• The Spartans feature 12 newcomers this season (three freshmen, three sophomores, six juniors).
• MSU is led by second-year head coach David Grewe (Dayton, 1998). Grewe, who was an assistant for three years at Notre Dame prior to arriving in East Lansing, owns a 271-178 (.604) career record in nine years as an assistant and head coach.

QUICK LOOK AT THE GOLDEN GOPHERS (22-7, 5-2 BIG TEN)
• Minnesota is currently ranked 27th in the latest RPI rankings, the highest of any Big Ten team.
• In key non-conference games, the Gophers split with Mississippi and Arkansas, and lost two of three at Pepperdine.
• In Big Ten games, the Gophers lead the Big Ten in fielding (.974) and are second in batting (.329).
• Senior Mike Mee leads the team and ranks second in the conference with his .429 batting average.