April 21, 2006
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermakers surrendered four runs in the opening inning and were unable to overcome the deficit, falling 4-3 to Michigan in the Big Ten series opener at Lambert Field.
The Wolverings scored four times against starter Jay Buente in the top of the first on two hits, two walks, and one error. An RBI groundout by Doug Pickens and a sacrifice fly by Derek VanBuskirk gave Michigan a 2-0 lead. With two runners on base, an error in centerfield allowed two runs to score, building the lead to 4-0.
Purdue fought back in the second with a run when Jeff Mojzik, who reached on a fielder's choice, scored from third on a Zach Putnam wild pitch.
The Boilermakers struck again in the third inning as Mitch Hilligoss led off the inning with his fourth home run of the season, a fly ball that snuck inside the left field foul pole. A walk and a hit by pitch set up an RBI double by Neal Gorka, scoring Eric Wolfe from second with Purdue's third run of the game.
The Boilermakers would not break through against Putnam for the tying run.
Putnam picked up the win to move to 3-0 on the season. The Wolverine freshman pitched a complete game, allowing seven hits, three runs (two earned) and striking out six.
Buente (4-2) was hit with the loss as the senior pitched just one inning and allowed four runs (two earned).
Andrew Groves pitched the rest of the game for the Boilermakers, going eight innings on the hill and yielding six hits. The junior struck out a career-high seven batters. The eight innings pitched was also a career high for Groves.
Hilligoss and Ryne White picked up multiple-hit games in the loss. Hilligoss was 3-4 at the plate, and is now 11-14 in Purdue's last three games. White went 2-4 at the dish.
Purdue and Michigan return to Lambert on Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.