March 5, 2006
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Boilermaker baseball team challenged one of the best teams the nation has to offer, but was unable to meet the challenge on Sunday as No. 2 North Carolina defeated Purdue at Boshamer Stadium 7-3, claiming the weekend series.
Purdue was the first team to push a run across the plate this season against UNC preseason All-American Andrew Miller, but the offense the Boilermakers could muster just wasn't enough against the southpaw's 10-strikeout performance.
Purdue is now 2-3 on the season.
Boilermaker starting pitcher Brent Coudron (0-2) allowed five runs, four earned, in 4.2 innings of work as the Tar Heels built a 5-0 lad before Purdue's offense broke though against Miller.
An RBI single by Seth Williams in the third inning gave UNC the lead, and the Heels added a pair of runs in each the fourth and fifth innings.
In the top of the sixth inning, pinch hitter Jordan Comadena singled through the left side with one out and moved to second on a errant pickoff attempt by Miller. A wild pitch advanced the sophomore to third, and John Hunter's groundball to third plated the Boilermakers' first run.
UNC answered in the home half of the sixth with a solo home run by Reid Fronk, once again giving the Heels a five-run advantage.
The Boilermakers struck again vs. Miller in the seventh with a two-spot. Eric Osborn, who was 2-3 at the plate, singled to lead off the inning, but was erased from the base paths on a fielder's choice. With Dane Wolfe now at first and two outs, Kyle Reesing was hit by a pitch to give the Boilermakers to baserunners. A wild pitch advanced each runner 90 feet, and Mitch Hilligoss singled to center to drive home both runners. Having advanced to second when the throw from center went home, Hilligoss tried to add another run on a single by Jeff Mojzik, but the junior shortstop was cut down at the plate on a throw from Williams in center.
The Tar Heels got an insurance run in the seventh on an RBI base hit by Jay Cox, closing the scoring at 7-3.
Purdue begins its Spring Break trip with a three-game series at Missouri on Friday, March 10. All three games vs. the Tigers can be heard on WLAS 1410 AM and on the web at www.purduesports.com. Baseball sports information contact Mark Leddy will provide the call of the action.