May 11, 1999
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Junior catcher Erik Frei's solo home run in the seventh inning gave Purdue a 4-3 victory over Penn State on Tuesday at Lambert Field.
With the score tied at 3-3, Frei slugged his ninth home run of the season over the left field wall to give Purdue a one-run victory. The home run was the only run surrendered by Nittany Lion reliever Scott Russo (1-1), who allowed only two hits in four innings while striking out five.
The Boilers took an early lead with one run in the first inning on four consecutive singles. Senior first baseman Ryan Cole drove home junior shortstop Daryl Hallada with the first run of the game.
Purdue scored twice in the third. Sophomore center fielder Nate Sickler's two-out RBI single scored Hallada from second and advanced sophomore right fielder Mike Rose to third. Penn State right fielder Dan Beers' fired to the plate in an attempt to throw out Hallada, but the throw skipped by catcher Joe Puliafico, allowing Rose to score.
Penn State rallied in the top of the seventh with three runs off junior reliever Jeremy Ballard. With two on and two out, left fielder Mike Campo singled home first baseman Chris Wright with the first run. After a walk to shortstop John Richmond, third baseman Shawn Fagan hit a two-run single to center to tie the game.
Purdue sophomore Ben Kaebisch (5-2) earned the win, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings of relief. He went 2-1 in the series and currently leads the Boilers with five victories.
Sophomore right-hander Austin Bilke started for the Boilers and allowed five hits while striking out four in five innings. It was his first appearance since breaking his left elbow on April 26.
Purdue is currently 23-27 overall and 10-14 in the Big Ten. Penn State falls to 29-22 overall and 9-14 in the conference.
The Boilers travel to Oxford, Ohio, on May 13 for a non-conference game with Miami (Ohio) at 4 p.m.