SCOTT MATYAS:

A CLOSER LOOK

Position: Relief pitcher

Throws: Right

Height, weight: 6-4, 215 pounds

Year: Fifth-year senior

Hometown: North Prairie, Wis.

2011 statistics: 1-0, 1.95 ERA, 10 saves, 38 strikeouts, six walks in 272/3 innings; he has recorded the last out in 21 of 41 games for the Gophers.

School records: 90 appearances and 35 saves in career, 15 saves in single season as sophomore (career save total is also a Big Ten record).

Best outing: Three no-hit innings against New Mexico in an NCAA regional last season, with eight consecutive strikeouts to end the game.

Fun fact: Matyas won the Gophers' senior home run hitting contest this week, with five during batting practice.

DOWN TO THE WIRE

Going into their final regular-season series of the year, the Gophers can still finish anywhere from first to eighth in the Big Ten. The top six teams qualify for the conference tournament, which begins Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio.

BIG TEN STANDINGS

Conference records only

WLGB

Michigan State138--

Gophers1291

Illinois1291

Purdue11102

Indiana11102

Ohio State11102

Penn State10113

Northwestern9113 1/2

Iowa9124

Michigan6146 1/2

This week's other three-game series: Indiana at Illinois, Iowa at Purdue, Penn State at Michigan, Northwestern at Michigan State