March 17, 2001
Continuing with a very tough schedule against some of California's top teams, the Purdue baseball team dropped a doubleheader to UC-Riverside by scores of 13-2 and 1-0. Dave Gassner was the starting pitcher for game one, and was credited with his second loss of the season. Sophomore Sean O'Neil was credited for the loss in game two, while pitching the Boilermakers' second complete game of the season, giving up just one run in six innings pitched.
Gassner pitched well enough to keep the Boilermakers in the game through the first five innings, yielded just two runs on six hits through the first five innings, striking out two batters, before being hit for four more runs in the sixth inning. Jim Davies came on to relieve Gassner, who has been bothered by some soreness in his throwing arm early this season, pitched his most extensive action of the season.
Offensively for the Boilermakers, Nate Sickler went 2-for-4, his team-leading sixth multi-hit game of the season. He also leads the team with 20 hits and eight doubles this season. Simon Klink entered the game as a pinch-hitter late in the game and walked. It marked his fifth consecutive walk drawn as a pinch hitter this season. Kris Luce added to his RBI total, picking up his team-leading 12th RBI of the season.
Sean O'Neil was the star of game two, pitching six innings, yielding six hits, striking out four and giving up the one run in the bottom half of the sixth inning. O'Neil managed to get the Boilermakers out of a couple jams. In the second inning, with the bases loaded, O'Neil struck out two batters then forced a pop fly to second base. In the fourth inning, the Highlanders put a runner on second after a double, with one out, but O'Neil was able to hold them in check once again.
The Boilermakers' best scoring threat came in the top of the fifth inning when Mike Duursma led off the inning with a base hit, then advanced to second when Daniel Underwood was walked. Dave Blomberg laid down a nice bunt in an attempt to sacrifice, but he beat out the throw and loaded the bases. Nick McIntyre struck out and Nate Sickler grounded into a double play to end the scoring threat.
Underwood started in the leadoff spot for Purdue, stealing two bases. He leads the team with four stolen bases so far this season.
With one game remaining on their spring break trip, Purdue now stands at 4-11. They finish up with a game at Cal. St. Northridge tomorrow.