March 18, 2009
CHICAGO - Junior Dan Black hit a two-out, two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to lead Purdue to a 6-4 win over Illinois-Chicago on Wednesday. The victory handed the Boilers a 1-1 spilt in the two-game midweek series and improved them to 6-9 for the year. UIC dropped to 3-12 with the loss.
Leading 4-0 through five and half innings, Purdue saw its lead evaporate as UIC rallied for a pair of runs in the sixth and one each in the seventh and eighth to tie the game at 4-4.
After Eric Nielsen and Brandon Haveman grounded out to lead off the ninth, Jonathan Lilly paved the way for Black with a perfect drag bunt down the first base line for a two-out single.
Black, who entered his final at bat of the game just 1 for his last 19, battled reliever Eric Wyman to a full count before drilling a fastball over the centerfield fence for a two-run homer. The blast was Black's fifth home run of the season and his team-leading 13th and 14th RBIs of the year.
Reliever Kevin Cahill (2-1) worked a one-two-three home half of the ninth to close out the victory and earn his second win of the year.
Purdue jumped out to a 3-0 edge early, scoring a single run in the first on a bases loaded walk and adding two more in the second on a RBI single by Lilly and a run-scoring ground out by Drew Madia.
Purdue starter Matt Bischoff held the Flames scoreless for the first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. The right-hander departed the game in line for the win after allowing two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks and holding a 4-2 edge.
The Flames rallied for a run in the seventh off of reliever Drew Wurdack and tied the game on a close play at the plate on a first and third sacrifice bunt by UIC's Jason Ganek.
Lilly and Haveman led the way for Purdue at the plate, with each finishing 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Black's homer was his second game-winning hit for Purdue in the ninth inning this season, having won the season opener against Cincinnati on a walk-off double with two outs on Feb. 20.
Purdue will heat to Martin, Tenn., on Thursday for a two-game weekend against Tennessee-Martin on Friday and SIU-Edwardsville on Saturday.