March 1, 2013
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Samford connected for a first-inning grand slam and got a complete-game effort from its starting pitcher, shutting out Purdue baseball, 8-0, Friday afternoon in the opener of a three-game weekend series.The Bulldogs (6-5) took a two-games-to-one series lead in the season series, which began last weekend in Starkville, Miss.
The Boilermakers (3-5) were shutout for the first time since suffering a 5-0 loss to Michigan State in the finale of a 2012 Big Ten series at Lambert Field.
Phillip Ervin hit the first-inning grand slam before Purdue starting pitcher Brad Schreiber (0-1) was able to record an out. He also went deep to lead off the seventh inning. The Southern Conference Preseason Player has now hit six home runs this year.
The Boilermakers managed only three hits against Samford starter C.K. Irby (2-1), who worked his first career complete-game shutout. The right-hander struck out eight and walked two, using an effective curveball to finish off a number of his strikeouts.
Brandon Krieg and Jake Hansen both doubled to account for two of Purdue's three hits. Krieg led off the fourth inning with a two-bagger down the left field line and took third on a balk by Irby. But he was left at third base as Irby retired the 2-3-4 portion of the Boilers' lineup thanks to a pair of strikeouts and a foul pop up.
Purdue felt the home plate umpire's strike zone was tight in the bottom third of the zone. Schreiber issued five walks over four innings. Three of the hitters that drew walks ended up scoring. Schreiber suffered his first loss since his freshman season in 2010.
A leadoff walk, another bases on balls after a dropped foul ball by first baseman Angelo Cianfrocco and a single by Irby -- who also batted third in the lineup -- loaded the bases for Ervin in the bottom of the first. He connected for the grand slam to left center to put the Boilers in an early hole.
Joe Eichmann worked a 1-2-3 inning against the top of the Bulldogs' order in the bottom of the sixth during his three innings of relief, his longest outing as a Boiler. But the sophomore gave up home runs in the fifth and seventh innings as Samford added to its lead. Pat Gannon pitched a scoreless eighth inning as the third and final Purdue pitcher of the day.
The Boilermakers had only five base runners on the night. Conner Hudnall singled in the second and walked in the fifth, but he was erased in both instances, getting thrown out trying to steal and later by an inning-ending double play.
The series continues Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.