April 16, 1999
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Fueled by a six-run third inning, the Purdue baseball team snapped a seven-game conference losing streak with a 12-8 victory over Iowa on Friday in Iowa City.
Trailing 1-0 in the third, Purdue (13-20 overall, 2-7 Big Ten) scored six runs in the inning. With one out, senior Ryan Bettencourt and junior Chris Walker reached on consecutive singles. Junior Daryl Hallada then walked to load the bases. After junior Erik Frei struck out, senior Ryan Cole doubled to left center field, clearing the bases. Sophomore Mike Rose singled home Cole and scored on sophomore Nate Sicklers sixth home run of the year.
After Iowa pulled within two at 6-4, Purdue scored three times in both the eighth and ninth innings. The Hawkeyes score four in the bottom of the ninth, but sophomore Ben Kaebisch forced Iowa first baseman Brad Carlson to ground out with the bases loaded to end the game.
Sophomore left-hander David Gassner (4-3) picked up the victory, allowing three earned runs in seven innings. Kaebisch picked up his first save of the season.
Cole led the Boilers with four RBI in the game, while Rose and Luce had three hits apiece.
Iowa right-hander Wes Obermueller (1-6) picked up the loss, allowing eight earned runs in 7.2 innings.
The series continues with a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.