March 10, 2007
AUBURN, Ala. - The Purdue Nine dropped a one-run game to thirteenth-ranked Auburn, 4-3, at Plainsman Park in the first game of the Boilermakers' Spring Break trip.
A single by Luke Greinke with one out in the bottom of the ninth drove home the winning run for the Tigers, giving Auburn its 15th win of the season. Purdue is now 4-3 on the season.
Auburn scored in the first inning off Purdue starter Josh Lindblom, but Purdue answered with two runs in the fifth to take a 2-1 lead. An RBI single by Alex Jaffee scored Dan Black from third base with the Boilermakers' first run. On the next pitch, Tigers catcher Ryan Jenkins allowed a passed ball to get to the backstop and Jon Moore raced home from third with the go-ahead run.
The Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the fifth on Josh Donaldson's second RBI double of the game, and then took the lead in the sixth with an unearned run on a misplayed grounder with two outs.
Trailing 3-2 in the eighth, Purdue tied the game on Black's sacrifice fly to left field with the bases loaded, driving home Jordan Comadena from third.
Purdue put the first two batters in the ninth inning but failed to score, setting up Auburn's chance to win in the home half of the final inning.
Allan Donato (0-1) was hit with the loss, allowing one run in two innings on the mound. Lindblom went six innings in the start, striking out seven while allowing three runs (two earned).
The Boilermakers and Tigers return to Plainsman Park on Saturday for a 3 p.m. (Eastern) matchup. The game will be broadcast on the internet at purduesports.com.