April 9, 2006
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Freshman John Cummins provided the game-winning hit in Purdue's 4-3 win over Michigan State Sunday at Lambert Field.
The victory gave the Boilermakers a 3-1 series win over Michigan State and raised their record to 17-9 and 5-3 in the Big Ten. The Spartans dropped to 14-13 and 4-4 in the conference.
The Boilermakers are now 13-3 vs. Michigan State under head coach Doug Schreiber.
Purdue's ninth-inning rally began with one out and the score tied at 3-3. After Eric Wolfe lined back to the mound, designated hitter John Hunter drew a walk from Spartan reliever Mike Monterey. Alex Jaffee was brought in to pinch run for Hunter and advanced to third on Ryne White's single through the right side. Neal Gorka was then intentionally walked to load the bases.
With the Spartan defense drawn in, Cummins was able to drive a 1-0 pitch from Monterey over the head of Spartan left fielder Kyle Day, plating Jaffee from third.
Purdue grabbed the game's first lead with a run in the first. Eric Wolfe singled to center with two outs, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by MSU catcher Sean Walker. Hunter collected the RBI with a single to right.
The Spartans grabbed the lead in the fourth, scoring three unearned runs off Boilermaker starter Ricky Heines. A Ryan Basham double to right scored E.J. Daws from second to tie the game at 1-1. Daws got on base via a fielding error by third baseman Hunter.
MSU quickly tacked on two more runs with an Alan Cattrysse homer to left field with two outs.
Michigan's State's fourth inning was the only blemish on an otherwise solid outing for Heines, who lasted eight innings, gave up six hits, struck out four and walked two. Chris Toneguzzi picked up the win in relief with a scoreless ninth, an inning in which he struck out two batters.
Toneguzzi (3-0) has not allowed an earned run this season, pitching 18.1 innings in 13 appearances and striking out 27.
Purdue knotted the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth. Senior Mitch Hilligoss tripled in Dane Wolfe, who led off the inning with a single down the left-field line. Hilligoss then scored on a Spencer Ingaldson double to right to tie the score.
Ingaldson, along with Jeff Mojzik and Dane Wolfe, led the Boilermakers with two hits each.
Purdue's first three runs were scored off MSU starter Craig Brookes, who gave up nine hits and struck out two in six innings of work. The Spartans used three relievers, the third being Monterey (3-4)
The Boilermakers return to Lambert Field for a Wednesday afternoon contest against Illinois State at 4 p.m. The game will air live locally on AM 1410 WLAS and via the internet at purduesports.com.