March 27, 2000
March 26, 2000
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.- Michigan State denied Purdue's bid to sweep the Spartans in their four-game series, winning 8-3 Sunday afternoon at Lambert Field. The loss also halted the Boilermakers' (13-7, 3-1) winning streak at five games.
"We came out flat today," said Purdue head coach Doug Schreiber. "I don't know how you can win the first three and have a chance to do something special and play the way we did. I take full responsibility for not getting them ready to play."
Leading 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning, Michigan State (5-15, 1-3) added two runs on bases loaded walks and two on a passed ball and an error to extend the lead to 6-0.
Purdue starter Russ Morgan (3-3) was replaced by Chadd Blasko in the middle of the fifth and received the loss after giving up six runs (five earned) on five hits, two walks and one strikeout in 4 2/3 innings.
The Boilers remained scoreless until freshmen catcher Nick McIntyre singled and later scored on a groundout by shortstop Mike Duursma in the seventh inning. Michigan State then scored two more runs on a single by left fielder Joe Albaugh in the ninth inning to give the Spartans an 8-1 advantage heading into the Boilers' final at-bat. Designated hitter Brandon Buck doubled home left fielder Brad Kriner and then scored on a groundout by center fielder Brad Kriner to make the final 8-3.
Michigan State starter Jon Huizinga (2-3) received the win after pitching seven innings, allowing one run on eight hits, one walk and one strikeout.
Despite the loss, Schreiber is pleased with the Boilers' start of the season. "It's a better start than last year when we won the first game lost the next three," said Schreiber. "There's a lot of baseball to be played, standings don't mean much right now. We really try to go out and win one game at a time."