Box Score >>> Series Stats: Black | Gold
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Hayden Grant's two-out, two-run double in the eighth inning proved to be the difference in a back-and-forth game three as the Gold Team was victorious, 5-4,Tuesday afternoon to clinch a series victory in Purdue baseball's Black and Gold Series.
Weather permitting, games four and five will still be Friday and Saturday, respectively. Game four is set for Friday at 5 p.m. at Alexander Field and is open to the public.
Jeff Evak went 3-for-3 with two sacrifice bunts, a run scored, stolen base and outfield assist for the Black Team. Jordan Lewis doubled in his first two at-bats for the Gold Team. Joe Eichmann worked three innings of scoreless relief for Gold, escaping a jam unscathed in the bottom of the seventh that saw Black have runners on second and third with no outs. Gold went ahead the following frame.
With pinch runner Alex Martin and Tyler Beck aboard with two outs in the eighth inning, Grant delivered a double to right center to drive in the game-winning run. Beck was able to score from first base on the play after drawing a walk.
The Black Team scored four times in the fifth inning to overcome a 3-0 deficit. The first three batters of the frame reached base safely via a bunt. The Gold Team committed a pair of errors in the process and unearned runs were a theme of the day. Seven of the nine runs scored Tuesday were unearned after errors by pitchers and infielders. Hitters took advantage of the extra outs, driving in three runs on sacrifice flies.
Eichmann gave up a double off the top of the wall in left field to Justin Gubser as the first batter he faced, but responded by retiring eight of the next nine batters he faced to close out the victory. The senior struck out Ted Snidanko and retired Brett Carlson on hard chopper to third with Kyle Wood and Gubser on second and third in the seventh. Evak singled against Eichmann with two outs in the eighth, but Jack Picchiotti threw out Evak trying to steal second to end the eighth.
Grant reached on a one-out throwing error to ignite a two-run rally in the fifth inning. After a single by Drew Rosbottom, a double steal and hit by pitch loaded the bases for Picchiotti. He drove in a run with a sac fly to right field and Rosbottom scored moments later on a wild pitch.
The Black Team sent nine men to the plate in the fifth inning after the first eight batters of the frame recorded a productive at-bat. Stephen Kalina, Harry Shipley and Evak all reached safely on bunts, with the Gold Team unable to record an out on any of those plays. Evan Kennedy followed with an RBI double to left center. Kyle Wood and Snidanko drove in runs with sac flies later in the frame.
Evak threw out Lewis at the plate from center field on James Jewell's RBI single in the second inning that opened the scoring. Jewell's hit was the last of three consecutive two-out knocks in the frame.
Gold Team starter Robb Woodcock surrendered only four hits over four-plus innings, but also walked four. Black Team starter Shane Bryant did not issue a walk and posted a pair of 1-2-3 innings, but gave up six hits over 4 1/3 innings.
After the first three games of the series, James Jewell (5-for-11) and Lewis (5-for-13) have led the way for the Gold Team. Evak (6-for-12) and Kennedy (5-for-12) have the most hits for the Black Team.
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| 2014 Black & Gold Series Schedule | ||||
| Date | Game Number | Location | Time / Result | Coverage |
| 10/12/14 | Gold at Black | Alexander Field | 10-4 Gold | | Recap | Box | Rosters |
| 10/13/14 | Black at Gold | Alexander Field | 4-1 Gold | | Recap | Box | Rosters |
| 10/14/14 | Gold at Black | Alexander Field | 5-4 Gold | | Recap | Box | Rosters |
| 10/17/14 | Black at Gold | Alexander Field | 5 p.m. | | Recap | Box | Rosters |
| 10/18/14 | Gold at Black | Alexander Field | 2 p.m. | | Recap | Box | Rosters |
All times listed in EST.