April 27, 2005
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - After falling behind 1-0, the Purdue Nine scored in six consecutive innings to cruise past Indiana Tech on Wednesday afternoon at Lambert Field, 15-3. The Boilermakers capitalized on 15 hits, four walks and four Tech errors to produce the best offensive day for Purdue in 2005.
Sophomore shortstop led the Purdue offense, opening the day with a single and adding another base hit, a triple, and his first home run of the season. On the afternoon, Hilligoss went 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and three RBI.
Junior third baseman John Hunter joined Hilligoss with his first home run of the season, a three-run blast to left. The home run was Hunter's 10th of his career, the most on the current Purdue roster.
Trailing 1-0 after allowing a first inning run, the Boilermakers scored twice in the third to take the lead, an advantage they would not relinquish. Sophomore Jeff Mojzik reached base on a fielder's choice and scored from first on Hilligoss' triple to right-center. As the Purdue shortstop reached third, the throw to the bag by second baseman Adam Storms sailed past the intended target and allowed Hilligoss to score.
Two more runs scored for the Boilermakers in the fourth, building the lead to 4-1, before Purdue struck big in the fifth with a four spot, including Hunter's bomb. Singles by freshman John Phegley, Hilligoss and senior Andy Dahl loaded the bases before a wild pitch by Warrior starter Josh Judy allowed all runners to advance 90 feet, with Phegley scoring from third. One batter later, Hunter drilled the first offering from Judy over the wall in left to give Purdue an 8-1 lead.
In the sixth, Mojzik was safe at first on an error by Tech shortstop Ben Ramsey, bringing up Hilligoss for his fourth at-bat. The first offering from reliever Jared Lease came in letter-high and Hilligoss deposited the pitch over the right field wall for his second and third RBI of the day.
Two unearned runs in the the seventh by Indiana Tech drew the score to 10-3, but Purdue would respond with a run in the home half of the seventh and four more in the eighth to ice the win.
Purdue hurler Allan Donato (2-0) picked up the win with two innings of relief work, as the Boilermakers sent six pitchers to the hill during the game. For the game, the Purdue pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts, including three by senior Martin Havens and three by junior closer Chris Toneguzzi.
The contest between Purdue and Indiana Tech was scheduled after the Boilermakers had four games canceled at Michigan State last weekend due to inclement weather and poor field conditions.
Purdue returns to Lambert Field this weekend for four Big Ten games against Minnesota. The series is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon, with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday and a single game at noon on Sunday.