April 25, 2006
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Purdue Nine competed in a pitcher's duel against eighth-ranked Notre Dame at Frank Eck Stadium on Tuesday evening, falling by a single run in a hard-fought 2-1 battle of the mounds.
Trae Dauby (2-4) made his first collegiate start of a career that has seen the senior right-hander go to the mound a program record 81 times, and came up just shy in his bid for a win.
The Boilermakers (21-15) scored in the first inning against Irish southpaw Wade Korpi, but could not manage to cross the plate again during the contest.
Mitch Hilligoss led off the game with an infield single to third base and moved to second on a throwing error by Brett Lilley on the play. After Spencer Ingaldson was hit by a pitch, John Hunter grounded a single through the left side of the infield to plate Hilligoss and stake Purdue to a 1-0 lead.
Korpi settled down after the first, striking out 11 batters over 7.0 innings, and retiring the Boilermakers in order in five consecutive innings beginning in the second frame.
Notre Dame scored twice in the second inning on a two-run double to right-center by shortstop Greg Lopez, giving the Irish a 2-1 lead, an advantage that would last the remainder of the game.
Purdue mustered just three hits vs. three Notre Dame hurlers. Hilligoss had the single to start the game, and Hunter had two singles through the infield.
Andrew Groves entered the game on the hill in the seventh and pitched two scoreless innings. For the game, the Boilermaker pair of pitchers limited the Irish to six hits, three from the third inning on.
Purdue is now 3-4 this season when playing nationally-ranked teams.
The Boilermakers play a home game on Wednesday at 4 p.m. against the Valparaiso Crusaders. The game from Lambert Field will be broadcast in the Lafayette area on AM 1410 WLAS, and on the worldwide web at www.PurdueSports.com. Kyle and Drew Charters will call the action.