April 3, 1999
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue baseball team fell to 11-13 overall and 1-2 in the Big Ten with a pair of losses to No. 30 Minnesota on Saturday at Lambert Field. The Golden Gophers took the opener 5-2 and the nightcap 9-2.
The Boilers jumped on top early in the first game with two runs in the first inning. Juniors Daryl Hallada and Erik Frei both drove in runs for Purdue.
Minnesota answered in the fifth, scoring four runs on four hits and a walk off of Purdue starter Austin Bilke (0-3). The Golden Gophers added an insurance run in the seventh.
In the second game, Minnesota took an early lead with a five-run second inning, knocking Purdue starting pitcher Andy Helmer (2-2) from the game. Catcher Jeremy Negen's three-run double highlighted the big inning for the Golden Gophers. The Boilers would use five relief pitchers in the game, allowing four more runs.
Minnesota southpaw Dan McGrath (1-0) held the Boilers scoreless until the fifth inning, when Purdue pushed two runs across the plate. Sophomore Nate Sickler and senior Ryan Cole both had RBI singles for the Boilers.
The two teams with play the fourth and final game of the series at 1 p.m. Sunday.