April 18, 2000
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue baseball team fought back again, positioning itself to gain another come from behind victory. With the score at 2-1 in the Indiana State Sycamores' favor, Chris Walker was on first base with two outs. After David Blomberg lined a double to right field, Walker rounded third and was held up. As he dove back to third, the throw came in from home plate. When the dust cleared the Boilers had their 14th loss of the season and only their third home loss. Purdue moves to 23-14 on the season, and will continue its search to match last season's win total of 24. ISU betters its record to 17-20-1 overall.
"We swung the bats when we got up to the plate, but we had too many guys swinging at the wrong point in the count," Purdue head coach Doug Schreiber said. "We just didn't have what it took today to win and Indiana State did. They deserve a lot of credit for that."
With the Big Ten's lowest ERA, Purdue has counted on its pitching to keep it in many of the games to date. The situation was no different against the Sycamores as the Purdue mid-week pitchers held ISU to two runs through nine innings. Getting the starting nod for the Boilermakers was junior Ben Kaebisch. Kaebisch came into the game sporting a 2-0 record on the season, including many middle relief appearances. Kaebisch dominated the ISU lineup through the first five innings, giving up no runs and only surrendering three hits. With the Boilers ahead 1-0, pitching coach Gary Adcock opted to save the strong lefty for conference relief this weekend. From the bullpen came sophomore Travis Dorsch. On his second pitch from the rubber, the hurler gave up a leadoff triple to Clint Barmes. The hut would prove costly, as Barmes would score on a sacrifice fly by J.C. Baker. Dorsch got out of the sixth, but was plagued by the lead off hitter again in the seventh. Chad Zaucha led off with a single and after a stolen base and a RBI single by Ryan Feyerabend the score stood 2-1. After scoring a run in the second inning following three straight singles, Purdue found itself down 2-1 in the ninth inning with its N0 8-9-1 hitters coming to bat. Daryl Hallada and Mike Duursma both grounded out to register the first two outs of the inning and with the Sycamores one out away from the win, Walker walked on a 3-2 pitch. David Blomberg followed with a double and one strong throw later, the game was over.
"Kaebisch did a good job out there, but would couldn't burn him if we want to use him this weekend," Schreiber said.
The closing line on the Boilermaker starter was five innings, one walk, two strikeouts and three hits. Dorsch's line was 3.2 innings giving up two earned runs on four hits. Andy Helmer, the Big Ten's save leader (12) came in in the ninth to preserve keep the lead at one and was successful ending the game with 0.1 innings pitched, retiring the only batter he faced.
"I am more concerned with getting the win in the Big Ten season, but I am glad to see that the guys are disappointed with the loss today," Schreiber said.
Purdue will play another mid-week non-conference game against Illinois State on Wednesday, in Normal, Ill. Purdue defeated Illinois State earlier this season, 1-0, at a neutral site.