March 13, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Purdue pitching staff issued 10 walks and hit two batters as the UAB Blazers handed the Boilermakers their fourth consecutive loss, a 15-8 defeat at Young Memorial Field.
Despite out-hitting the Blazers 17-14, the Boilermakers could not overcome a poor start on the mound. UAB scored 15 runs in the first four innings, including 11 in the opening two frames.
Trialing 3-0 after one inning, the Boilermakers tied the score when Jordan Comadena launched a blast off the scoreboard in left-center that drove home Eric Nielsen and Kyle Reesing.
The tie was short-lived as the Blazers scored eight runs in the bottom of the second on six hits and four walks. UAB added two runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth to build a 15-3 lead.
Purdue inched closer in the sixth inning with three runs. An RBI single by Spencer Ingaldson and run-scoring grounders by Ryne White and John Cummins made the score 15-6.
The Boilermakers scored a single run in the seventh on an RBI single by White and another run in the eighth on Jeff Mojzik's run-scoring base hit, but could not get closer than the final seven-run deficit.
Purdue has been outscored 38-14 in the last three games, two vs. Auburn and one against UAB.
Dan Sattler allowed three runs in his first start of the season, lasting 2/3 of an inning and allowing three runs on two hits, two walks and a hit batter. Eric Van Matre (0-1) was hit with the loss after allowing four runs in 1/3 of an inning.
Chris Ivanic was the Purdue pitching bright spot, hurling 5.2 innings in relief. The catcher-turned-pitcher struck out three and coaxed the Blazers into two doubleplays.
Comadena led the Boilermakers at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance, including a double, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI. White was 3-for-5 with two RBI, Ingaldson was 2-for-6 with a run and an RBI and Reesing was 2-for-3 with three runs scored.
The Boilermakers and Blazers return to Young Memorial Field for the second game of the two-game midweek series at 8 p.m. (Eastern). The game will be broadcast on WLAS 1410 AM in the Lafayette area and on the web at purduesports.com.
A live video feed of the game will be available courtesy of UAB at uabsports.com.