March 6, 1999
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Purdue baseball team (1-4) split two games on Saturday in Louisville, Ky. The Boilers defeated Kent 18-11 in the first game and lost to Wright State 6-4 in the nightcap.
Purdue opened action on Saturday with an 18-11 victory over Kent. The Boilers had no problems offensively, but struggled in the field, committing five errors. The Boilers pounded out 26 hits in the contest, including eight doubles.
After jumping out to an early 2-0 lead, Purdue was the victim of a big inning for the fourth straight game. Junior right-hander Andy Helmer was tagged for six hits and eight runs, one earned, in the third, and the Boilermakers trailed by six heading into the fourth.
Purdue responded to Kent's offensive onslaught by scoring at least two runs in every inning for the remainder of the game, while allowing the Golden Flashes to score only three more times. With Purdue trailing 9-8 in the sixth inning, senior designated hitter Ryan Cole gave Purdue the lead for good with a two-run home run to right field, scoring junior shortstop Daryl Hallada.
Freshman first baseman Kris Luce led Purdue with five hits, three doubles, three RBI and four runs scored. Hallada had his third four-hit game of the season, scoring two runs, but he committed three errors at shortstop. Junior Chris Walker had four hits and drove in a game-high four runs. Junior Erik Frei, sophomore Nate Sickler and freshman Nick Treadway had three hits apiece for the Boilers. Sophomore left-hander David Gassner (1-0) earned the victory, allowing only one run in 4.1 innings of relief.
The Boilermakers followed the win with a disappointing 6-4 loss to Wright State in the second game.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, the Boilers scored two runs on two hits. Frei led the inning off with a walk and advanced to second on Cole's sacrifice. Senior outfielder Todd Ellinger drove Frei home with a single to right, advanced to second on a fielder's choice and scored on senior Ryan Bettencourt's single to left.
Purdue followed with two more runs in the seventh. After reaching on a single, Hallada scored on a Frei's one-out triple to left-center. Cole followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Frei to give Purdue a 4-1 lead.
The Raiders stormed back scored two runs in the eighth and three in the ninth to take the lead for good. Wright State scored its final five runs without a hit, as the Boilers walked five and committed three errors in the final two innings.
Junior left-hander Russ Morgan fanned a career-high 12 batters in 7.2 innings, while allowing only three hits and one earned run. He was not credited with a decision.
Purdue closes out the weekend with a 3 p.m. game against Louisville on Sunday.