March 10, 2002
Box Score
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Keyed by a three-run fifth inning, No. 2 Clemson overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Purdue 4-2 in the series finale at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
"Our goal coming down here did not include moral victories but that is all we can come away with this weekend," said head coach Doug Schreiber. "We played the No. 2 team in the nation tough but did not execute the little things and get key two-out hits to win games."
The Boilermakers jumped on top in the third inning, 1-0, when Nick McIntyre singled home Brad Kriner who had reached base with a single and advanced to second on Mitch Koester's base hit.
Purdue added their second run of the game in the fifth when Adam Fazio's RBI single scored Koester, who reached earlier in the inning with a walk.
Starting pitcher Mitch Pruemer retired the first 11 Clemson batters he faced before shortstop Khalil Greene singled in the fourth. In his longest outing as a Boilermaker, the sophomore right-hander tossed 7.2 innings, scattering six hits and allowing three earned runs.
The homestanding Tigers knotted the score at two when John Gusich's throwing error on David Slevin's bunt plated two runs. Clemson took the lead, 3-2, when Russell Triplett drove home Slevin with a single.
Clemson added an insurance run in the sixth when Michael Johnson singled home Jeff Baker, giving the Tigers a 4-2 advantage.
"Right now we need to get better and reach our maximum capabilities," said Schreiber.
The Boilermakers, 2-8, resume play on Monday night with 7 p.m., contest at Wofford in Spartanburg, S.C.
Additional Game Notes
-Daniel Underwood was 0 for 5, ending his 21-game hitting streak (dating to 4/29/01 at Indiana).
-Simon Klink started his first game of the 2002 season at DH.
Purdue 001 010 000 - 2 7 1
Clemson 000 031 00x - 4 6 1
W: Jackson (2-0), L: Pruemer (1-1), SV: Harrelson (5)