March 31, 2006
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - An early offensive explosion by Illinois was too much for the Boilermakers to overcome as Purdue fell in the Big Ten season opener 9-7 at Illinois Field.
The Fighting Illini scored nine times in the opening three innings against Purdue starter Jay Buente, handing the senior right-hander his first loss of the season.
Purdue opened the game with instant offense against Illinois pitcher Brian Blomquist (2-2), scoring twice in the first inning on three hits. An RBI single by Eric Wolfe plated Mitch Hilligoss, and Ryne White doubled off the wall in right-center to drive in Wolfe.
The lead was short-lived as the Illini scored four runs in the home half of the first, picking up two bases-loaded singles and grabbing a 4-2 lead. Two more runs in the second inning increased the Illinois lead to four runs.
In the third inning, the Boilermakers drew to within two on John Hunter's first home run of the season, a two-run bomb to right-center that scored Wolfe.
Leading 6-4, the Fighting Illini knocked Buente (3-1) out of the game in the third inning with three more runs, highlighted by a two-run triple to centerfield by leadoff hitter Ryan Snowden.
Spencer Ingaldson's two-run homer in the fourth inning closed the deficit to three runs. Ingaldson's second long ball of the season was lofted to the right field wall, scoring Kyle Reesing from third.
Purdue drew a run closer in the sixth on an RBI single by Wolfe, but the Boilermakers would get no closer.
Ben Reeser and Matt Whitmore combined to shut Purdue down in the late innings, allowing one run over the final four innings. Whitmore struck out two in the ninth to register his fifth save of the season.
For the Boilermakers, Andrew Groves spelled relief for the Boilermakers out of the pen, pitching 5.2 innings of two-hit baseball to give Purdue the chance to rally.
Purdue (11-7, 0-1) returns to Illinois Field on Saturday for a twinbill vs. the Illini (12-6, 1-0). The first pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET, and the doubleheader will be broadcast on AM 1410 WLAS and on the web at www.purduesports.com, with Kyle Charters and Mark Leddy calling the action.