April 6, 2002
Box Score
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue won its fifth straight Big Ten game, improving to 5-1 in league play, with a 5-2 triumph in game one of Saturday's doubleheader at Illinois. The Boilermakers have won six straight games overall and ten of their last 11.
After three scoreless innings, the Boilermakers opened the scoring in the top of the fourth when David Harrell doubled home Daniel Underwood and Nick McIntyre, who both singled earlier in the inning, for a 2-0 lead.
Purdue added two more runs in the fifth inning on Adam Fazio's third home run of the season. The round-tripper also scored Brad Kriner and gave the Boilermakers a 4-0 advantage.
Illinois trimmed the margin to 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth. Trevor Frederickson doubled home Luke Simmons for the first Fighting Illini run of the contest and later scored on Brandon Cashman's single.
The Boilermakers pushed across a run in the sixth inning to take a 5-2 lead when Harrell scored on Andy Rempel's RBI groundout.
The Illini loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth with no outs, chasing starter Mitch Pruemer. Freshman Brent Coudron took to the mound for Purdue and thwarted the rally attempt, retiring three straight hitters and not allowing a run to cross the plate.
Coudron held Illinois scoreless in their seventh-inning final at-bat to earn his second save of the season and preserve the 5-2 victory. Pruemer took the win, his third of the season.
Fazio and Harrell each collected two RBI to pace the Purdue offense.
The Boilermakers, 12-13 and 5-1, and Fighting Illini play game two of the doubleheader this evening. The teams conclude their series on Sunday with a 1:05 p.m. contest at Illinois Field. Fans can listen to Illinois' radio broadcast of the game via the Internet. A link to the broadcast is available at www.purduesports.com or by logging on to www.fightingillini.com.
Additional Game Notes
-Purdue has won five straight games in Champaign and nine of its last ten against Illinois.
-Adam Fazio has hit safely in 11 straight games dating to March 17 at Coastal Carolina. He has eight hits in his last three games.
Purdue 000 221 0 - 5 6 0Illinois 000 020 0 - 2 10 1
W: Pruemer (4-1), L: Rowe (2-2), SV: Coudron (2)HR: Fazio (3).