By Keith Thomas
Staff Writer

A 12 strikeout performance, a complete game two-hitter, an eight-inning, no-run relief effort and a conference-leading 13th save make up just another day at the office for the Big Ten’s leading pitching staff.

Backed by those solid individual performances, Purdue (28-14, 13-7 Big Ten) swept Illinois (27-16, 13-7) over the weekend and put itself in a comfortable position in the Big Ten standings.

"Pitching carried us," said Purdue coach Doug Schreiber. "It’s a lot easier to play defense behind that, and it’s a lot easier to feed off that offensively. You’ve got to give the pitching staff credit."

Sunday’s 10-3 Purdue victory over the former Big Ten leaders not only completed the sweep but finished a weekend of solid starting and relief pitching for the Boilers.

Starter Russ Morgan had early trouble in Sunday’s game, but he was bailed out by reliever Chadd Blasko (3-1), who threw eight relief innings while not surrendering a run. Blasko scattered six hits over eight innings, striking out two and giving up only two walks.

Although solid pitching must be mentioned when talking about the success of the Boilers this season, it must also be cited as the key for the Boiler sweep over the weekend.

The possibility for a sweep began as the series opened Friday afternoon in Purdue’s 4-3 win. In the victory, Boiler right-hander Ben Quick (5-3) gave the Boilers the series momentum with his season-high 12-strikeout performance. The junior college transfer from Riverside, Calif., now has a team-high 50 strikeouts this year. Quick, who allowed three runs on four hits, said he wasn’t doing anything he doesn’t normally do.

"I’m always just trying to come out and hit my spots and just let it take care of itself from there," said Quick. "I was able to get ahead; I got the hitters down in the count, and I was able to put them away. I was excited. I mean, I came in and threw a good game, and I guess we just kind of fed off of that."

Boiler closer Andy Helmer came on in relief of Quick in the eighth inning to earn his Big Ten-leading 13th save of the season. Helmer, who has not allowed a run in conference play, needs only one save to become Purdue’s all-time saves leader.

Following the performances by Quick and Helmer, Purdue put the ball in the hand of left-hander David Gassner (5-3) for game one of Saturday’s doubleheader.

Gassner gave the Boilers a two-games-to-none advantage over the Illini with his complete game two-hitter. Gassner, who leads the Boilers with 57.1 innings pitched, allowed only one walk while striking out two Illini batters.

"It’s just a big confidence booster, knowing that we can play against anybody," said Gassner. "To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, and Illinois is up there with the best so this will help our confidence."

Senior right-hander Jeremy Ballard (6-2) earned his team-leading sixth win in the second half of the doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. Ballard, who has allowed the fewest hits of all Boiler starters (45 in 45.0 innings), said the pitching was not the sole reason the Boilers swept the Illini.

"We weren’t overpowering by any means," said Ballard. "We’ve got to thank the defense — they made great plays."

Ballard finished after 6.2 innings, allowing only seven hits while walking one.

Purdue pitching coach Gary Adcock said he was proud of how his pitching staff persevered against a quality team.

"We’re giving them the plan, but they’re making the pitches," said Adcock.

Adcock, whose pitchers took a step in proving the theory that "good pitching beats good hitting," said the pitchers credit their success to hard work and fundamentals.

"We don’t overpower anybody," said Adcock. "We work on the small things, trying to get the first guy out, trying to get the first-pitch strike.

"I tell the guys all the time we want small goals, not broad ones," he said.