March 17, 1999
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Purdue baseball team ended a three-game losing streak with a 15-9 victory over Rutgers on Wednesday in Boca Raton, Fla. The Boilermakers pounded out 16 hits in the game and committed only one error.
Purdue scored early and often, posting two runs in the first inning and four in the second to jump out to a 6-0 lead. Rutgers right-hander Pat Pepe lasted only 1.1 innings, allowing all six runs.
The Scarlet Knights answered with five runs in the third inning to cut the Purdue lead to one run. Rutgers had five hits in the inning, including a three-run home run by third baseman Jake Daubert.
The Boilers extended the lead to 11-5 with a five-run fifth inning, highlighted by sophomore Nate Sicklers two-out, two-run double to left.
After Rutgers cut the lead to three runs with a three-run fifth inning, the Boilers responded with two more runs in the sixth. Senior Ryan Bettencourt slugged hit first home run of the season, a two-run shot to right field, scoring senior Ryan Cole. The Boilers added one more in the seventh and one in the ninth.
Junior Andy Helmer picked up his first win of the season, allowing nine hits and eight earned runs in seven innings. Sophomore southpaw Ben Kaebisch preserved the win with two scoreless innings of relief.
Junior Chris Walker had two hits, two walks and three runs scored for Purdue. Junior Erik Frei drove in three runs, while junior Daryl Hallada had three hits and three RBI.
Purdue (3-9) will face Rider at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday in Homestead, Fla.