March 11, 2005
AUSTIN, Texas - Purdue opened play against its third straight ranked opponent on Friday night, dropping a 9-1 contest to No. 1 Texas in front of 4,984 fans at Disch-Falk Field. The Boilermakers fell to 1-6 on the season while the Longhorns improved to 19-1, including a perfect 14-0 at home.
The Boilermakers lone tally came quickly as they took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Mitch Hilligoss extended his hitting streak to seven games with a lead-off single and then moved to second on a ground out. John Hunter then singled to right field allowing Hilligoss to score.
The Longhorns responded in their half of the first with three runs and extended their lead to 4-1 in the fifth. In the seventh Texas rallied for five two-out runs to make the score 9-1.
Scott Byrnes (0-2) threw a season-high 6.2 innings for the Boilermakers, yielding eight hits and eight runs, only four of them earned. The senior hurler also struck out six while issuing only one walk.
Texas starter Randy Boone (3-0) silenced Purdue after allowing the early run. He turned in seven innings of work and gave up four hits, walked two, and struck out seven.
Purdue and Texas will continue their three-game series with a 2 p.m. game on Saturday.