March 31, 2001
It started off as a classic pitcher's dual as Michigan State's struck out the first five batters he faced, and Chadd Blasko struck out three batters in the first two innings of work. It ended as an extra inning affair, as the Boilermakers had to even the score after being down one run, as they were down to the last out of the seventh inning, then grabbed a 5-4 victory with some heroics in the eighth inning.
Kris Luce was the first Boilermaker batter to get on base, walking in the second inning. Mike Duursma added a single in the top of the third, as each team had two hits after three full innings of play.
The Boilermakers struck first with three runs in the top half of the fourth, while the Spartans answered with two in the bottom of the fourth. Michigan State took a 4-3 lead heading into the top of the seventh. Down to their final out, the Boilermakers evened the score in the seventh and won the game in the eighth.
Good defense helped out the Boilermakers early as David Harrell gunned down leadoff hitter Brett Wattles in the first inning after he led off the game with a walk. After Dave Blomberg caught a pop fly in the bottom of the third, John Gusich made a diving catch an a foul tip just outside the third base line between third and home, keeping the game scoreless.
Blomberg led off the fourth inning with a base hit to right field. He was thrown out on a fielder's choice by Nick McIntyre. Nate Sickler and Harrell both reached base on consecutive bunts, loading the bases. Luce attempted a bunt, but the pitcher threw out McIntyre at home on the fielder's choice. With the bases still loaded, Gusich was able to knock a double to deep centerfield, clearing the bases and giving Purdue a 3-0 lead. Brad Kriner grounded out to the shortstop to end the inning.
The Spartans got two runs back in the bottom of the fourth inning, and with a runner on third, Purdue kept its lead as McIntyre, starting his fourth game in right field, made a diving grab to end the inning.
With runners at first base, Kriner made a nice catch on a fly ball and Daniel Underwood caught the next fly out to end the fifth inning and preserve the 3-2 Boilermaker lead.
The Spartans added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 4-3 lead heading into the top of the seventh inning.
In the top of the seventh, Duursma singled and advanced to second when Underwood grounded out to the pitcher. Michigan State inserted closer Domanick Squires into the game to try to get the final out. With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh, with two outs, Blomberg came through with his third hit of the game, a double down the left field line to score Duursma from second, evening the score at 4-4. McIntyre grounded out to end the inning, marking just the fourth game this season he did not register a hit.
Harrell led off the eighth with a walk, then Sickler moved him to second on a bunt. After Luce flied out to right field, Gusich came through as the game's hero, driving in his fourth run of the day on a rifling single to centerfield.
Sophomore Matt Skripsky came through with his most extensive outing of the year. He relieved Blasko in the bottom of the sixth, got the final two outs and pitched the Boilermakers through the seventh and eighth inning. The 2.1 innings were the most innings pitched by Skripsky of his career. In seven appearances this season, he has pitched 11 innings and allowed just three earned runs. He has the lowest ERA (2.45) of any of the relief pitchers. Blasko finished with 5.1 innings pitched, striking out four and allowing just seven hits and three earned runs, lowering his season ERA to 4.99. In six Big Ten games, Purdue relief pitchers Skripsky, Billy Lester and Luke Howard have combined for 11.2 innings pitched and have not allowed a run.