March 18, 2001
Scoring six runs in an attempted comeback was not quite enough, as the Purdue baseball team wrapped up its spring break trip in an 8-6 loss to Cal St. Northridge. Freshman Luke Howard, making his first career start, took the loss.
Howard was roughed up for eight runs in the first three innings, then gave way to fellow freshman right-hander Billy Lester.
Despite being down 8-0, the Boilermakers would not go quietly. They were able to score a runs a little bit at a time, as they creeped back into the ballgame by the final inning, putting themselves in a good position to go home on a positive note.
The rally started in the fifth inning. Northridge southpaw Andy Davidson held Purdue hitless until the top of the fifth inning when Kris Luce led off with a double. Brad Kriner doubled down the left field line to score Luce, putting the Boilermakers on the board.
In the seventh, the Boilermakers added two more runs in the seventh and eighth innings. In the seventh, Luce doubled again, then advanced to third on a Daniel Underwood groundout. Kriner also doubled for the second time in the game, scoring Luce, making the score 8-2. Freshman Simon Klink, who has had a watchful eye as of late, was walked for the sixth time this year, putting runners at the corners. Mike Duursma then came through with his second hit of the day, scoring Kriner and advancing Klink to third. Duursma advanced to second on an error by the leftfielder.
In the eight inning, Nick McIntyre led off with a double. John Gusich singled to center, then advanced to second when the centerfielder attempted to throw home, but overthrew the catcher. McIntyre advanced to third. Mitch Koester had a sacrifice fly, which scored McIntyre, followed by a Daniel Underwood double, scoring Gusich.
Trailing 8-5 entering the top of the ninth, Purdue took one last stab at evening things up. Duursma picked up his third hit of the game, his most productive day at the plate so far this season. John Badylak singled, followed by McIntyre's second double of the game, which scored Duursma. After Nick Treadway was struck out, Gusich walked to load the bases. On the very next pitch, Koester grounded out to the pitcher, despite hustling in attempt to beat out the throw.
The Boilermakers now get set to begin their Big Ten season, but will first travel south to take on IUPUI. They open their home schedule this weekend against Minnesota, the defending Big Ten Champions, whom the Boilermakers held a 5-0 record against last season. In their matchup against IUPUI last season, the Boilermakers put up 27 runs.
NOTES,Freshman Billy Lester and sophomore Matt Skripsky combined for five scoreless innings and two hits, no runs allowed ... Lester pitched three scoreless innings giving up three hits and striking out three, while Skripsky pitched two hitless innings and struck out one ... Daniel Underwood did not start the game, but instead came on to substitute David Harrell at the catching position, the first time he has ever played catcher collegiately ... McIntyre and Luce each picked up their fifth multi-hit games of the year while Kriner got his second and Duursma got his first.