March 29, 2006
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - For the fourth consecutive year, the Purdue Boilermakers were unable to break through against intrastate foe Ball State, losing to the Cardinals 3-2 at Lambert Field.
Ball State (11-11) rallied from a 2-0 deficit, scoring two runs in the seventh and one in the eighth to defeat the Boilermakers (11-6).
An RBI double in the seventh by Chris Pestle put Ball State on the scoreboard, cutting Purdue's lead in half. The Cardinals tied the score at 2-2 three batters later when a wild pitch on ball four allowed Pestle to scamper home from third.
In the eighth inning, BSU loaded the bases with no one out on two singles and a mishandled sacrifice bunt. A bases-loaded free pass to Justin Rogers forced home the winning run.
Purdue had grabbed the early lead, scoring twice in the third innings. After loading the bases with one down, John Hunter singled through the right side of the infield to drive in Dane Wolfe with the Boilermakers' first run. Neal Gorka was hit by a pitch two batters later to force home Mitch Hilligoss.
BSU reliever Kory Bucklew entered the game as the fourth Cardinal pitcher in the seventh inning and threw three scoreless innings to pick up the win.
Trae Dauby was saddled with the loss, coming out of the bullpen and allowing one run on two hits and two walks in one inning.
Purdue will look to shake off the loss this weekend, opening Big Ten Conference play in Champaign in a four-game series at Illinois. The series opener is slated for 7 p.m. ET on Friday at Illinois Field, and will be broadcast in the West Lafayette area on AM 1410 WLAS, and on the web at www.purduesports.com.