March 16, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Sean McHugh and Ryan Bridges each connected for a two-run homer, but Belmont's three consecutive big innings early in the game were the difference as Purdue baseball lost 13-6 Wednesday afternoon.
The Boilermakers (11-5) carried a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the second after Sean McHugh went deep to left field for his first collegiate hit. The freshman made his first start for Purdue Wednesday and finished the game 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Belmont (8-10) scored three times in the second inning and four times in each of the following two frames to surge ahead 11-4 entering the fifth. The Bruins pounded out 20 hits on the day, although 15 were singles.
Bridges connected for his first home run of the season and third career with Kevin Plawecki aboard in the top of the fifth. The opposite field blast to right field cut the deficit to five, but Purdue would not score for the rest of the game.
Freshman Matt Gibbs gave the Boilers an opportunity to get back in the game with a pair of scoreless innings after Bridges' home run in the fifth. But the Purdue bats went silent while facing a different pitcher in each of the final five frames.
Double plays also helped snuff out scoring chances for the Boilermakers. Cameron Perkins and Plawecki opened the third inning with back-to-back singles but a ground ball off the bat of Bridges took the Belmont third baseman to the bag and led to a 5-3 twin killing.
McHugh, David Miller and Stephen Talbott all hit safely to begin the fourth, making it a 7-4 game when Talbott doubled home McHugh. After Tyler Spillner lined out to second base, Eric Charles hit a fly ball to right field. Belmont's Tim Egerton threw out Miller trying to tag up and score, ending the inning.
Then in the top of the seventh with the score 11-6, Perkins led off with bunt single. Plawecki hit a high chopper to shortstop that led to a force out at second base. Plawecki beat the throw to first base but the Bruins were awarded the double play when the umpire at second base ruled Perkins slid into the bag with the sole intention of taking out the second baseman trying to turn the twin killing.
Belmont scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to widen its lead.
Perkins singled four times to post his second career four-hit game.
Belmont's Jared Breen delivered a big hit early in the game, tying the score with a two-out, three-run double off the glove of right fielder Barrett Serrato in the bottom of the second. The Bruins then had five consecutive singles to open the third inning, scoring four times in the process.
Now 2-3 on its spring break trip, the Boilermakers continue their eight-game tour of the state of Tennessee Friday when they begin a three-game series at Tennessee Tech. The first pitcher Friday in Cookeville, Tenn., is slated for 4 p.m. (EDT).