If a tie is like kissing your sister, then splitting a series is probably much the same.
The Michigan baseball team posted a 2-2 record against Purdue this weekend in West Lafayette, on the opening weekend of Big Ten play.
Yesterday, Michigan (2-2 Big Ten, 11-9 overall) squeaked out a 3-2 victory despite being out-hit 10-7.
Pete Martay (2-0) allowed one run in five innings to pick up the win. Tyler Steketee worked the last inning and two-thirds for his first save.
Two of Michigan's runs came on solo homers by third-baseman Mike Cervenak and leftfielder Jason Alcaraz. Cervenak and centerfielder Brain Bush had two hits apiece for the Wolverines.
Michigan scored all its runs off Purdue's Mike Hedman (3-2), who went seven innings and took the loss. Ryan Cole had two hits, including a home run, for the Boilers (2-2, 8-11).
Michigan pitchers stranded 18 runners on base.
Saturday the two teams split a doubleheader. In the first game, the Wolverines recorded their first conference win by topping the Boilermakers, 7-2, behind the strong pitching of sophomore J.J. Putz.
Putz (2-0) went the distance, giving up five hits through seven innings. He struck out a career-high 12 and walked only four.
Michigan's steady effort at the plate produced single runs in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings, and it put the game out of reach with a three-spot in the seventh.
The Wolverines balanced offensive attack was led by first-baseman Brian Besco, who was 2-for-3, with two doubles and two RBI.
Designated hitter Bobby Scales and second-baseman Kirk Beermann were the other Wolverines with multi-hit games, each collecting a single and a triple.
Derek Besco scored three of Michigan's runs.
Matt Luce (1-1) took the loss for Purdue, surrendering four runs in 5 2/3 innings worked.
In the second game on Saturday, Michigan staked pitcher Luke Bonner to a five-run lead, but the sophomore hurler couldn't make it stand up, as Purdue won, 13-8.
After Michigan struck for five in the top of the second, the Boilers knocked Bonner out of the game with five of their own in the third.
The Wolverines came right back with two runs in the top of the fourth to go up 7-5, but Purdue scored three in the bottom of the fourth frame, regaining the lead for good.
Bonner gave up four runs and four walks in 2 2/3 innings pitched. All five runs scored on him were earned.
Michigan's Ryan Kelly, who was on the mound during the Boilers three-run fourth, took the loss, dropping his record to 0-3.
Jeremy Ballard (1-1) got the win for Purdue, as he and Jason Howard combined to shut-down the Wolverine bats over the final three innings.
Derek Besco paced the Michigan at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and Bush added two hits.
Rod Metzler had three of Purdue's 13 hits, including a home run, and also added five RBI. Mark Tomsyck had two hits and scored a pair of runs.
In the Big Ten opener on Friday, Purdue pounded Michigan, 16-6.
Alcaraz went 3-for with a double and a home run to lead the Wolverines.