By Keith Thomas
Staff Writer

Attempting their second ninth-inning comeback win in three days, the Boilers fell just short on Tuesday afternoon, losing 2-1 to Indiana State.

Unlike Sunday’s win against IU when Purdue (23-14, 9-7 Big Ten) was able to score three runs in the final inning in its 7-6 win, the Boilers were unable to score one run in the ninth to tie the Sycamores.

The Boilers, who ended the game in bizarre fashion, weren’t able to get a run across the plate in the final seven innings — scoring their only run in the bottom of the second.

With the Boilers trailing by one run with two outs in the ninth, left fielder Chris Walker drew a walk from Indiana State closer Mike Scott. Third baseman David Blomberg followed with a hard-hit double off the right field wall. As Walker approached third base and prepared to round the bag, Coach Doug Schreiber gave him the stop sign, however, Walker had trouble coming to a complete stop. Meanwhile, the Sycamores were able to get the ball back in from right fielder James Dustin to catcher Ben Vannatter who fired the ball back to third baseman Chris Hall in time to pick off Walker, ending the Boilers' attempt to rally.

"I gave Walker the stop sign and it took him a while to stop and they just made the play," said Schreiber.

Walker, who is the fastest member of the team, said he knew he was going to try to tie the game as soon as Blomberg lined the pitch into right field.

"As soon as I saw the ball hit, I took off," said Walker. "I’m thinking score, so I’m going hard around and I thought Coach (Schreiber) was waiting to see how good the throw was, and obviously they made a great throw. He tried to hold me up and I just couldn’t get back."

The reaction to the play that ended the game was at first surprising to the Boilers, But then it became disappointing.

"It’s a real let down," said Blomberg, "because it’s against a team that we’ve got to beat. I can’t fault anyone for being overly aggressive. That’s just our style of play."

Schreiber, whose Boilers’ home record dropped to 9-3, was equally let down; however, his disappointment stemmed from more than the final play of the game but the entire performance.

"We didn’t do what it took," said Schreiber. "When you play that type of baseball, you’re going to get beat like that."

Schreiber’s team's offense was less than impressive despite the fact that it out-hit the Sycamores 12-7. The Boilers did, however, have twice as many men left on base with 10 as the Sycamores’ stranded base runners.

"We wasted some opportunities," said Schreiber. "You’ve got to give Indiana State credit. They did a good job.

"You hate to lose a game like that," Schreiber said. "Maybe this will be a little bit of a wakeup call for us."

One bright spot for the Boilers was holding Indiana State to only two runs on seven hits.

Left hander Ben Kaebisch started the game and pitched five scoreless innings while giving up only three hits. Kaebisch — so he could rest for some weekend innings — was pulled for reliever Travis Dorsch, who gave up the only Sycamore runs of the game on four hits in 3.2 innings. Helmer, who's one save shy of sharing Purdue’s all-time lead, came in to pitch the last third of the top of the ninth inning.

"They pitched well enough to win," said Schreiber. "We just didn’t manufacture runs."

Schreiber said Dorsch pitched well despite seeing limited time so far this season.

Dorsch, who has been splitting time between wearing his baseball cap and football helmet this spring, was just happy to get the work.

"It’s been hard the last few weeks, trying to split time between baseball and football, and obviously with limited opportunities out here you want to make the most of it," said Dorsch, who took the loss — his first of the season. "Things just didn’t work out the way we wanted."

Hoping to see some more offensive production, the Boilers will try to earn a victory on the road this afternoon against Illinois State at Redbird Field.

"We need to come out and score a lot of runs and just jump on them early," said Walker.