May 2, 1999
COLUMBUS, Ohio- The Purdue baseball team dropped to 20-26 overall and 7-13 in the Big Ten with a 3-2 loss to No. 19 Ohio State on Sunday in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes (38-7, 19-1) complete the series sweep over the Boilers, winning all four games.
Purdue took an early lead with a run in the first. Junior Chris Walker led off with a triple and scored on junior Daryl Halladas sacrifice fly.
The Boilers extended the lead to 2-0 with a run in the second inning. With one out, sophomore Nate Sickler was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a double by senior Todd Ellinger. Sophomore David Blomberg drove home Sickler with a ground out to second.
Ohio State starter Kurt Fullenkamp (3-0) settled down to shut down Purdue for the next five innings. Right-hander Cory Cox entered the game in the eighth and pitched 1.2 scoreless innings.
The Buckeye offense gave Fullenkamp the offensive support he needed with a run in the third to cut the Purdue lead in half. Shortstop Trent McIlvains solo home run brought the Buckeyes within one.
Ohio State tied the game with a run in the sixth, as first baseman Jason Trott scored on a ground out by left fielder Jason Driscoll.
The Buckeyes took the lead in the seventh. With one out, McIlvain reached on an error and moved to third on center fielder Mike Lockwoods single. Catcher Tom Durants sacrifice fly to center brought home McIlvain with the winning run.
Purdue starter Jeremy Ballard did not factor in the decision, allowing only three hits and two runs in six innings. Freshman Travis Dorsch (2-1) picked up the loss with an unearned run in 1.2 innings of relief.
The Boilers host Penn State on May 9-11 at Lambert Field.