March 29, 2008
Game One Box Score
HREF="http://purduesports.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2007-2008/2008-21.html">Game Two Box Score
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue Nine had a quiet 12 innings at the plate over two games against Northwestern on Saturday, but it was a loud 13th inning that propelled the Boilermakers to a split of the Big Ten twinbill at Lambert Field.
Northwestern won the day's opener 11-3 before Purdue answered with a 10-2 victory in the nightcap, a win that resulted from an eight-run sixth inning.
After dropping Game Two of the weekend series, the Boilermakers fought back from a 2-1 deficit in the series' third game to post the eight-run win and grab a two-games-to-one advantage heading into the final day of the series.
With the score 2-1 in favor of Northwestern, Purdue tied the game in the fifth inning on a bases-loaded walk to Dan Black that pushed home Brandon Haveman. The threat was squelched by Wildcat reliever Matt Gailey, who induced a strieout and a pop-up from the Boilermakers to leave the bases full.
Gailey wasn't so lucky in the sixth inning as Purdue rolled off eight runs on seven hits to blow the game open and secure the win.
Eric Nielsen led off the sixth with a single and moved to second on Nick Overmyer's sacrifice bunt. Haveman continued his hot-hitting afternoon with an RBI single to right, scoring Nielsen with the go-ahead run. Ben Wolgamot singled to left to score Havemna, who had moved to second on an error by the NU right fielder on the previous play. After Ryne White walked, Jordan Comadena singled in Wolgamot from second. A walk to Black loaded the bases and John Cummins singled to right to drive in the inning's fourth run.
With the bases still loaded in the sixth, Nielsen laced a double into the left field corner, clearing the bases in front of him with three RBI to put Purdue up 9-2. Overmyer continued the inning with a base hit up the middle to push home Nielsen with the game's final run.
Allan Donato was the benefactor of the Purdue eight-run inning as the senior picked up the win on the hill. Donato (2-3) went 6.0 innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out three. Chris Ivanic pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning to close the game for the Boilermakers.
Havemand and Nielsen each had three hits in the nightcap and scored five runs between the duo.
The Wildcats won the first game on the bats of Aaron Newman, Jake Owens and Jake Goebbert and the arm of Eric Jokisch. Newman, Owens and Goeberrt - the 1-2-3 hitters in the Northwestern lineup - were a combined 11-for-11 at the plate with nine runs scored and nine RBI. The remainder of the Wildcat batting order was 0-for-18 at the dish.
Northwestern scored five times in the first two innings to grab the early lead before Purdue tried to rally back. The Boilermakers plated two runs in the third inning to draw to within three at 5-2. An RBI grounder by Ryne White scored Haveman and Ben Wolgamot came home on a wild pitch to get the Boilers on the scoreboard.
The Wildcats responded immediately with four runs in the fourth, highlighted by a three-run homer by Goebbert.
Haveman scored for the second time in the game in the fifth inning on a ground ball by Jordan Comadena, but Northwestern would once again answer in the next half inning, this time scoring twice in the sixth for the final runs of the game.
Kyle Cook (2-1) was hit with the loss, pitching 2.0 innings and yielding five runs on six hits. Kevin Cahill and Drew Wurdack came out of the bull pen to pitch 5.0 combined innings, allowing six runs on five hits.
Jokisch was the winner on the hill for the Wildcats, tossing a complete game while surrendering just five hits.
Purdue and Northwestern conclude the four-game Big Ten series on Sunday at Lambert Field with a 1 p.m. first pitch. The game will be broadcast on the internet through purduesports.com.