Late Outburst Pushes Purdue Past IPFW

Wednesday, April 13

Parkview Field

7:30 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

8-18

Purdue

21-11

Purdue

IPFW

Kristian Gayday was 2-4 with an RBI and run scored vs. Purdue

4/14/2011 12:07:18 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Box Score | Photo Gallery

Fort Wayne, IN - The Purdue Boilermakers made the most of their final two at-bats in breaking open a tight ball game on Wednesday night at Parkview Field in downtown Fort Wayne. The 'Boilers tallied six times in the final two frames to overcome IPFW by the final of 8-3.

The loss spoiled a fantastic outing by IPFW starter Ryan August. The senior from Mokena, Illinois started a bit slow though, allowing three straight Purdue hits, including a two-run single by first baseman Kevin Plawecki that gave the Boilermakers an early 2-0 lead.

But from there, August was nearly untouchable. He retired the Boilermakers in order for the next six innings.

While August was dealing on the hill, the IPFW offense began to heat up as well. In the 4th inning, the 'Dons finally broke through against Purdue starter Blake Mascarello. Senior right fielder Nate Thomas got it going with a one-out double to left center. Freshman right fielder Steve Danielak followed that up with a walk.

The 'Dons turned to another freshman to push their first run across. Third baseman Kristian Gayday worked the count full then singled to left, scoring Thomas. Danielak raced to third and on the play as Gayday hustled into second. Designated hitter Cory Miller then sent a shot to shortstop that Barrett Serrato couldn't handle. Miller was safe at first on the error and Danielak scored to tie the game at two.

The Mastodons weren't done in the inning. With two out, second baseman Garrett Segraves drove a 3-2 pitch to right field that brought home Gayday to give IPFW a 3-2 lead.

The score remained 3-2, 'Dons until the top of the eighth. August, who had been hitting between 89-90 mph on the radar gun and throwing a nasty slider, hit Purdue left fielder Stephen Talbott to open the inning. Pinch hitter David Miller forced a walk on a full count and August's night was over. He would give way to senior Samuel Walker.

Walker walked center fielder Tyler Spillner to load the bases with no outs. Purdue then went on the attack. Second baseman Eric Charles tied the game at three with an RBI single to right. Then it was Plawecki again, driving in two more with another single to right field. A Serrato RBI groundout finished off a four-run 8th inning for the 'Boilers making it 6-3.

Purdue added two more in the 9th inning to win by the final of 8-3.

Purdue reliever Pat Gannon worked just 0.2 of an inning for his first win of the year. He struck out one and walked one. Sean Collins came on and pitched 1.2 innings of no-hit ball for his first save of the season. He struck out four and walked one.

August was the tough-luck loser (1-3). He was charged with four runs on six hits. He did strike out six, while walking one.

Plawecki was 2-5 for Purdue with four RBI. Charles had four hits and two RBI, while third baseman Cameron Perkins was 3-5 with an RBI.

Thomas, Gayday and first baseman A.J. Christensen each had two hits for IPFW. Gayday also drove in a run.

With the loss, IPFW falls to 8-18 on the season. The Mastodons return to Summit League play on Saturday, hosting Southern Utah in a double header at noon.

~Dons~