April 5, 1997
Boilers End Losing Streak
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Purdue baseball team ended its eight game losing streak with a doubleheader sweep of Illinois on Saturday. The Boilermakers (10-18 overall, 4-7 Big Ten) won the opener, 4-2, and took the nightcap, 12-8.
In game one, pitcher Chris Bloomer had his best outing of the year for Purdue. The senior righthander went the distance for his third win of the season, allowing only three hits while fanning 11. Senior catcher Anthony Grieco had three hits with an RBI and a stolen base for the Boilers.
Purdue's bats heated up in game two, as the Boilermakers pounded out 16 hits, including eight for extra bases. Senior pitcher Matt Luce picked up the complete game victory, striking out seven. Freshman shortstop Daryl Hallada had three hits, inluding his third home run of the season. Grieco once again had three hits, raising his batting average to .414 (29-for-70).
The Boilers lead the series 2-1 and will face the Fighting Illini in the fourth and final game of the series.
Game One - Purdue 4, Illinois 2 Purdue 220 000 0 - 4 9 1 Illinois 000 000 2 - 2 3 5
PU: Bloomer. UI: Hecht. HR: Rudden (UI).
WP: Bloomer (3-1). LP: Hecht (2-5).
Game Two - Purdue 12, Illinois 8 Purdue 060 302 1 - 12 16 2 Illinois 212 030 0 - 8 10 1
PU: Luce. UI: Zidlicky, Burlage (2) Funk (6), Journell (7). 2B: Walker (PU), Metzler (PU), Grieco (PU), Rose (PU), Marquie (UI), Nieckula (UI). 3B: Tomsyck (PU), Marquie (UI). HR: Ramacher (PU), Rothstein (PU), Hallada (PU), Rudden (UI), Anderson (UI).
WP: Luce (2-1). LP: Zidlicky (3-2).