Boilers beat Crusaders, await Xavier

After amassing a 13-0 lead after three innings, the Purdue baseball team held on to defeat Valparaiso 13-6 Tuesday in Valparaiso, Ind.

The Boilers (24-16, 14-4 Big Ten) won for the 20th time in their last 22 games.

Luke Howard (2-1) picked up his second win of the season, and Purdue improved its road record this season to 17-9.

Purdue got two runs in the first when Daniel Underwood scored on a groundout and Dave Blomberg, who singled to extend his hitting streak to 18 games, scored on a wild pitch by pitcher Mason Lindenbaum (3-1) of Valparaiso (20-14, 10-2 Mid-Continent Conference).

Blomberg, who went 3-for-3 with three runs and 2 RBIs, doubled to right in the second inning. Later in the inning, with two men on and no one out, Nick McIntyre hit a two-run single to increase Purdue's lead to 5-0.

McIntyre scored after catcher David Harrell hit his 11th double of the year. With one out, runners were on the corners after a Kris Luce single. John Gusich singled to left field, scoring Harrell and making it 7-0. The Boilermakers, who finished with 16 hits, scored five runs on five hits in the second.

The Boilermakers sent 12 batters to the plate, added six runs on five hits and increased their lead to 13-0 in the third inning.

Blomberg got a base hit to left field to score Underwood with the first run of the inning.

Later in the inning, Mike Duursma singled to center field, scoring Kris Luce and John Gusich and increasing Purdue's lead to 12-0. Underwood drove in Brad Kriner for Purdue's final run.

That was more than enough offense for Howard, who improved to 2-1. He finished with three scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out two and walking none.

Junior lefty Adam Green relieved Howard. He pitched two innings and gave up three runs.

Heath Uppencamp pitched two innings and gave up just one run on a sacrifice fly.

Jim Davies came on to pitch the eighth and ninth, giving up two more runs, but also adding one more strikeout before forcing his final batter to ground into a double play.

The Boilers are now 5-1 against Indiana teams. Purdue picked up a 15-4 victory over the Crusaders on March 27 at Lambert Field, and the Boilers now lead the all-time series 54-15-1.

n The Boilers play Xavier at 3 p.m. today at Lambert Field. Purdue holds a 15-7 edge on Xavier. Purdue earned a 3-1 victory in last year's meeting.

Center to come to Boilers’ aid

Purdue prepares for doubleheader

Race finish advances cyclists to Nationals

Boilers beat Crusaders, await Xavier

SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 251

Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Anne McLaren

To send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org