April 2, 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Purdue Nine dropped a 7-4 contest to the Louisville Cardinals on Wednesday evening in front of a crowd of 1,004 at Jim Patterson Stadium.
The loss puts the Boilermakers' record at 10-13 entering the second weekend of the Big Ten season. Purdue's road woes continued as the Boilermakers dropped to 2-12 in games played away from Lambert Field this season.
Louisville scored first in the game, plating an unearned run in the bottom of the third inning on the benefit of two Purdue errors and one wild pitch.
The Boilermakers responded in the top of the fourth with two runners on a sacrifice fly by Jordan Comadena and a RBI double by Eric Nielsen. Ben Wolgamot led off the inning with an infield single and moved to third on a two-bagger by Ryne White. Comadena lifted a fly ball to deep right-center, moving White to third and scoring Black with the tying run. Nielsen doubled down the left field line to drive home White and give Purdue a 2-1 lead.
Louisville retook the lead in the home half of the fourth when the first five batters reached base safely, chasing Purdue starter Tony Sedlmeyer from the mound. An RBI single by Jeff Arnold, an RBI double by Derrick Alfonso and a run-scoring base hit by Tyler Christensen put the Cardinals on top 4-2.
Chris Dominguez added a run for the Cardinals in the fifth inning on a solo home run to left field off reliever Chris Ivanic.
The Boilermakers drew to within one in the top of the sixth on Nielsen's second double of the game, driving in two runs. A walk to Wolgamot, a single by Comadena and a walk to Black loaded the bases for Nielsen, who lofted his two-base hit down the right field line.
The Cardinals added two runs in the seventh inning to move ahead 7-4. Back to back doubles by John Dao and Josh Richmond scored the first run of the inning. Justin McClanahan seemed to line into a double play to end the inning, but catcher's interference nullified the twin-killing and allowed the inning to continue. With new life, Dominguez lifted a high fly ball into centerfield that fell in for an RBI single when Jon Moore lost the ball in the night sky.
Sedlmeyer (0-4) was hit with the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) in 3.0 innings on the hill. Five other Boilermaker pitchers took the mound in the non-conference effort.
Purdue was out-hit in the game 11-8, with six of the Boilermaker hits colming from Wolgamot (2-2), Comadena (2-3) and Nielsen (2-4).
The Boilermakers return to Big Ten action on Friday in Iowa City when Purdue takes on the Iowa Hawkeyes. First pitch of the four-game series is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and all four games will be broadcast on WSHY 1410 AM in Lafayette and on the web at purduesports.com.