The MSU baseball team knows that calling this weekend important is an understatement.
With Ohio State on top of the Big Ten and four teams packed just one game back, this weekend might create some separation.
The Spartans (19-15 overall, 7-5 Big Ten) begin their four-game series against the Boilermakers (16-17, 6-6) at 3 p.m. today in West Lafayette, Ind. The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, and wrap up the series with a 1 p.m. start on Sunday.
"Right now, we'll be ecstatic with a split," MSU manager Ted Mahan said. "Friday is the big one. Hopefully, Bryan (Gale) can keep us in the game."
Gale has been nearly flawless in Big Ten openers this season. His only nondecision came in MSU's first conference game of the season, a 1-0, 11-inning victory over Iowa. Gale dazzled through nine innings, scattering five hits and striking out a career-high 12 batters.
He won his other two starts, a 4-2 victory at Illinois where he iced four in nine innings and a 10-7 win against Ohio State where he was bailed out by his team's offense.
On the season, Gale (3-1, 3.10 ERA) has held opponents to a .243 batting average and has more strikeouts (60) than innings pitched (58).
Senior left-handed pitcher Ryan Kurtz said Gale might not have an easy time with the Boilermakers.
But Gale setting the tone for the duration of the weekend with a Friday victory is a must, Kurtz said.
"Purdue is always tough; they always have a legit program," said Kurtz, who picked up the win in MSU's 9-4 victory against Central Michigan on Wednesday. "To get where we want to be, we have to make up some ground by taking three on the road."
This season, the Spartans have done nearly everything except win three games in a conference series. They swept Iowa, split with Illinois and won just one of four games against Ohio State.
Only the Illinois series was away from Kobs Field, but splitting was MSU's goal then. This weekend, however, much separation can be created by teams contending for a Big Ten championship.
Add into the mix those just striving to finish in the middle of the pack, and third baseman James Moreno said this weekend is the most important yet. Winning two games won't suffice.
"This might be the turning point in the season," Moreno said. "We're right in the mix and other teams are going to beat each other up. It's not going to be easy, especially on the road, but we want to do to Purdue what Ohio State did to us.
"To take three, we'll have to be on all cylinders. I don't know the last time we won three games on the road - it's been a while, but it's a great feeling. We'll just need a lot of things to go our way."
