Live Bloggin' Part Two

11:31 Morning Big Ten Nation! Its another perfect day for baseball here at Huntington Park in Columbus. We'll be treated first to a do or die game between #6 Purdue and #2 Minnesota.

I'm very curious to see how the Gophers respond to their beatdown at the hands of Indiana last night. It would be quite a disappointment for them to not advance farther in the tournament, given their strength of their pitching staff and their regular season performance. Purdue is pretty much playing with house money, and that can be dangerous.

It is pretty empty around here, including up here in the press box, although thats to be expected for the day game. I'm excited about the prospect of getting here early enough to snag one of these sandwiches before the rest of the media eats them (I'm looking at you, Big Ten Network).

I'm going to be here for the first game today, but Chris Webb will be around later in the afternoon, after he's done crunching the numbers from yesterday's action.

11:55- We are getting close to game time. Minn beat Purdue all three times they played in the regular season, (4-3, 3-1 and 5-2), although that was back in late April. Purdue's bats have certainly come alive since then.

12:02, I'm sure you guys wanted to know, but I was in fact able to secure one of the sandwiches. I'm a sucker for free food. If you want to write about anything...basketball games, city council meetings, your cousin's bar mitzvah, if there is food...I will be there.

Anyway, I've been exploring the stadium a little bit before game time. The employees I spoke to said that the outfield seats in the AEP Power Pavilion are the most popular...so remember if you guys come out to catch a game here. I recommend it.

Game is about to start here. Morgan is taking the mound for Purdue, Tom Buske for Minny. There seem to be a lot of people in the press box liking Purdue in this game. We'll have to see. Play ball!

12:10 We're starting to get some cloud cover now, and its a bit cooler than yesterday. Weather.com says we only have like a 10% chance of rain today though. Good.

I think its really important for the Gophers to get some hits early after that debacle. As soon as I finish typing the word debacle, Matt Nohelty rips a single.

12:12- A renegade Gophers fan just ran up to the Wendys Hamburger Balcony and threw a Minnesota flag over it. High drama! Nohelty steals second and advances to 3rd on a bunt. 1 out.

McCallum rips a grounder to second for an infield hit, and the Gophers take a 1-0 lead. They have more hits in the first inning than they had in what, the first 7 yesterday? The two dozen or so Gopher fans are going nuts right now. I don't think I see any Purdue people.

12:20 Purdue ready to pick up the bats for the first time. Gophers steal another base in the top frame but can't knock in the run.

12:22 Poor defense by Minny to start of the game. A shot goes right over the first baseman for a double, and then the SS bobbles a grounder for an infield hit. Lot assigning an error there was awfully generous. Runners on the corners, nobody out.

12:30, Minny gets a double play to end the inning, but not after allowing a ton of baserunners, and 2 runs. The Gophers had this problem yesterday....if you keep giving extra outs, you're going to put tremendous pressure on your starting pitching. 2-1 Purdue.

12:35-Just read Bob Hunter's piece on attendance. I think he's right, eventually, we can get more people here. Right now, the event is a little too expensive, and could have used some slightly better marketing. The product (and the venue) are both good though. I hope the Big Ten looks at using this place again next year.

In game news, the Gophers are 3-3 on base stealing attemps. 1st and 2nd, 1 out...and now based loaded with 2 outs...aaaaand a strikeout ends the inning.

12:51-The Gophers give up a leadoff double off the wall, but then settle down and get the next three batters. I think the pitchers are starting to settle down now and dig in.

You might not think about this, but foul balls can be a real hazard when almost all the seats are empty. Those shots can take some funny bounces off the seats and go who knows where. I saw two guys pretty much duck after a foul ball was hit into their section, and I have to admit, I can't really blame them. McCallum just ripped a double into deep center field.

1:09- looks like I spoke too soon, as Purdue rips a solo home run (Cummins). The middle of the order has been very productive for Purdue lately. Lets see what Black and Madia do today as well. 3-1 Purdue. The rest of the order goes quietly

1: 13-The press box is pretty quiet today. Part of that is because it isn't nearly full yet, but I also suspect food coma might be playing a role. I just popped back inside so I can charge my laptop for a few min. One small flaw with Huntington Park...lack of outlets in the open air press area. I don't really like watching the game from inside the actual box, since your vision is obstructed. I have to keep an eye on the Big Ten Network TV to get a full picture of the playing field.

1:18 The Gophers have done a good job with being patient at the plate, and their speed has helped get them runners in scoring position. They need to start stringing some hits together though.
*again*, as soon as I type that, Pettersen smacks a single to left field. Runners on the corners, with one out for McCallum.

1:20 WOW. McCallum got ALL of that pitch, sending it towering way OVER the famed HAMBURGER BALCONY. He flat our crushed it. The Gophers take the lead 4-3, and the smattering of Gopher fans are going crazy.

Kvansicka rips a line drive right at Matt Morgan's head, but somehow he managed to snag it for the out. I think he threw up the glove to protect his face, and somehow managed to come up with the ball. Those last 3 min were some of the most exciting I've seen so far.

1:26 I've been pretty prophetic with my typing so far, as far as predicting what the Gophers are going to do next. I wonder if it will work if I type "Buske needs to bring me a cold Dr.Pepper...."

Waitwaitwait, why is Purdue wearing camouflage jerseys?

1:33-the clutch hitting is starting to open up now for Minny. Decker rips a triple to bring the score to 5-3. One out now. Morgan has pitched fairly well, but I wonder how much longer he'll be in the game. Gophers now have 8 hits, and Minnesota has hit him hard the last two innings. He gets a flyout for out number two....and is pulled.

Man. I am good at this. I'm still waiting on my Dr.Pepper though. 4 walks, 4 strikeouts, 8 hits during Morris' tenure I believe....by my unofficial count. Sestalk in for Purdue, and Nohelly doubles in Decker. 6-3.

1:39-Purdue has a man on second, 1 out...but their killer middle of the order is up. I'm going to put off another snack run to see what Cummins/Black/Madia can do

1:50 Purdue threatening big here. Bases jacked with 2 out. Manager comes out to talk to Buske but leaves him in. Eric Charles at the plate...big chance to make some noise here for the Boilermakers.

And a great barehand grab and throw by Greason ends the inning and saves the lead for Minnesota. To the 6th we go, with the Golden Gophers still winning, 6-3.

Pitching change for Purdue...Collins is now throwing. 1st and 2nd, nobody out for Kyle Knudson.

2:05, Well, the laptop is all charged, and a Clippers employee just took the cookie tray out, so I think its about time for me to leave the press box and head back out in the open air. The 6th inning just ended, but not without the Gophers knocking in another run. 7-3. 12 hits for Minny today.

Kvansnicka just launched an absolute moonshoot to deep center, smacking the Mount Carmel sign on the score board to make it 10-3. When you consider how the ball has been dying a little in the air when its been hit to deep center...that home run becomes even more impressive. When you combine that homerun with McCallum's, the combined distance could get us to Canada.

2:28 and here we go to the top of the 8th. Illinois and Minnesota ought to be a pretty interesting game.

2: 43- 12-3 Gophers. 3 more outs from being over folks.

Bottom of the 9th for Purdue. Last chance, bottom of the order.

Haveman is the last batter for Purdue. I imagine the Boilermakers had higher expectations for their squad this season. The Gophers now face a pretty good Illinois team also on the brink.

But thats all for me everybody. I'll see you tomorrow!