March 11, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS - Purdue scored a season-high six runs on three two-run singles in the top of the third inning to help the Boilermakers snap a three-game losing streak with a 12-3 win over Butler at Bulldog Park on Wednesday. The victory improved the Boilermakers to 3-7 for the season, while the Bulldogs dropped to 1-9 with the loss.
Trailing 2-0 after two innings, freshman Barrett Serrato tied the game with his first collegiate hit, a two-out base hit up the middle, that plated Jonathan Lilly from second and Tyler Spillner from third.
An infield single by Jonathan Moore in the next at bat loaded the bases for senior classmate Ben Wolgamot. The Boilermaker infielder, who entered the game just 1 for 7 in his last two games played, singled up the middle to plate two more runs and hand Purdue a 4-2 advantage.
Catcher Eric Nielsen followed Wolgamot with a third two-run single in the frame to cap off the scoring.
Purdue went on to tack on three more runs in the sixth, two in the seventh and one in the ninth for its third win of the season.
Freshman Joe Haase, who took over for starter Blake Mascarello in the second inning, picked up his first collegiate win. The right-hander tossed three shutout innings, allowing just five hits while striking out two and walking none.
Butler starter Ryan Kruszka (0-3) was charged with his third loss of the season after giving up six runs on six hits over four innings of work. He struck out five and walked four on the afternoon.
Offensively, Purdue rapped out 13 hits in the win, 11 of which were singles. Serrato, Wolgamot and Moore all finished with two hits each, with Serrato leading the way three RBIs. Purdue's 12 runs scored were a season-high, eclipsing the 11 scored in the season opening 11-10 win over Cincinnati on Feb. 20.
The Boilermakers will return to action on Friday against Mississippi Valley State in the opening game of the Dunn Hospitality Classic in Evansville, Ind. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m.