April 18, 1999
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Purdue baseball team allowed six unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth en route to a 10-9 loss to Iowa on Sunday in Iowa City. It was the sixth time this season that Purdue had lost a game decided in the final at-bat.
With the score tied at 4-4 after seven innings, the Boilers exploded for five runs in the eighth. Purdue used five consecutive hits to start the inning. Senior designated hitter Todd Ellinger capped it off with a two-run home run to right field, his first of the season.
Iowa responded with six runs in the bottom half of the inning. Purdue reliever Heath Uppencamp (0-3) retired second baseman Kurt Vitense to start the eighth and then allowed a one-out single to center fielder Ian Mattiace. Shortstop Jason Edgecombe reached on an error, advancing Mattiace to second. After right fielder Brian Burks grounded out, Boiler second baseman David Blomberg committed an error on third baseman Andy Jansen's ground ball to second, allowing Mattiace and Edgecombe to score. Iowa followed with three straight singles and a double to take a one run lead.
Purdue junior right-hander Andy Helmer did not factor in the decision, allowing four runs in 6.1 innings. Sophomore Nate Sickler went 2-for-4 with a single, a home run and two RBI.
The Boilers are now 15-21 overall and 4-8 in the Big Ten. Purdue will host Illinois State at 4 p.m. on April 21 at Lambert Field.