Purdue Baseball-ASU Recap

After a long road trip to Phoenix, AZ, the Boilers return with a 4-7 record.

They went 1-3 on the weekend while playing host Arizona State University, California State University Bakersfield, and Gonzaga in a doubleheader.

Due to weather complications, the tournament games were moved around. Purdue started the weekend off by playing a doubleheader on Saturday against Gonzaga. Then the night cap on Friday night against ASU, followed by an early morning game against CSUB on Saturday.

Purdue 5 vs Gonzaga 3

Starting the weekend off with a win was much needed for the team, however, it was the only win of the weekend.

Four players had multi-hit games as the team together complied 9 hits which tied with Saturday's game against CSUB as the most hits for the weekend for the Boilers.

The first game was another bullpen staff day. Mike Kornacker mad his second start of the year, going 3.1 innings only allowing 1 run. Gavin Downs picked up his first win of the season as he came in for extra long relief, giving up 2 earned runs on 6 hits through 4 innings pitched.

This was Purdue's first win without committing an error.

Gonzaga 12 vs Purdue 2

The next two games of the Classic were a beat down for Purdue. The team gave up 10 runs before picking up their first.

Gonzaga starter had a no hit bid going through 6 innings until Michael Vilardo singled to start off the inning.

Not much else to say besides that the Boilers ran out of gas and couldn't keep the energy rolling into the second game of the doubleheader.

Purdue 5 at Arizona State 15

The biggest game of the weekend for the Boilermakers and they blew it. So much tension and energy had been built up between these two teams as it was the first time that the programs had meet but not for the coaches.

As many know, ASU head coach Tracy Smith, was former head coach of Indiana. Head Coach Doug Schrieber and Tracy Smith do not really get along.

The boilers lead in the game twice before allowing the Sun Devils to get back into the game.

They jumped out on the Ace, Brett Lilek, by scoring all 5 runs on him.

Mike Vilardo posted another multi-hit game. Jeff Evak knocked another big double in the second inning driving in 2 of the three runs that were scored that inning.

The Boilers were tied 5-5 going into the bottom of the 5th before allowing 9 runs and could never recovered.

Starter Brett Haan got knocked around, allowing 8 runs, 7 earned runs on 9 hits through 4 innings on the mound.

The boilers had their chance to knock off #17 ASU, but you cant do much when the pitching staff allows 15 runs on 17 hits, and when the offense leaves 10 stranded base runners.

CSU Bakersfield 6 vs Purdue 4 F/11

This game I would say was the worse of the whole weekend.

Purdue lead 4-0 going into the top of the 9th. Downs allowed 3 straight hits to start off the inning and load the bases. Joe Eichmann came into pitch and gave up a single to left field that scored two runs. The next batter, he gave up a triple allowing two more runs to score and for Bakersfield to tie the game. Alex Lyons came in and got out of a jam! Bakersfield did a questionable play call to end the inning. Having a runner on third and the batter had a 0-2 count and one out in the inning, they called for a suicide bunt. The batter missed the bunt, making him out and then we were able to tag him out at home for a double play.

Lyons ended up giving up two runs in the top of the 11th to pick up his first loss of the season.

The Boilers were 3 outs away from pulling out a victory and going 2-2 for the weekend and being 5-6 overall.

A surprising CSU Bakersfield and #17 ASU shared the title both going 3-1 in the weekend and splitting their two games.

The Boilers travel to Norman, OK for a three game series against Oklahoma (9-5). They are coming off of a 3-1 road trip record against BYU. They have also played ASU and lost 7-4 during a midweek game.