Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Purdue *
Boilermakers Down Wildcats, 4-3
4/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 15, 2005
Box Score
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue scored one run in the bottom of the eighth inning and held on for the 4-3 win Friday afternoon. Northwestern pitcher Andrew Smith threw his second complete game of the season in the loss. NU is 14-13 overall, 4-5 in the Big Ten.
The Wildcats found the scoring column first, plating a run in the second inning. Mike Phelps (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) bounced a single through the right side, scoring catcher Pat McMahon (Mundelein, Ill./Carmel) from third. McMahon was walked to reach base.
Purdue tied the score 1-1 in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of a leadoff walk and hit batsman. After the walk and hit-by-pitch, a sacrifice bunt put the runners in scoring position. A groundball tied the game.
After squandering a bases-loaded opportunity in the third inning, NU took full advantage in the fourth. With one out, three straight singles loaded the bases. First baseman Mark Ori (Niles, Ill./Maine South) was issued a free pass, moving everyone ahead 90-feet, and scoring Phelps. Shortstop Jon Mikrut (Wauconda, Ill./Carmel) followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Jake Owens (Stevens Point, Wis./Pacelli). NU scored two runs on three hits, to take a 3-1 lead after three and one-half innings.
Starting Wildcat pitcher Andrew Smith (For Mitchell, Ky./Beechwood) had given up only one hit in the first three innings. After four innings, he had given up just two. Problem was, along with the one hit, he walked two and hit a batter in the fourth inning. Purdue scored two runs in the inning, tying the game 3-3.
After the fourth inning, both starting pitchers found their grooves.
Neither team found the scoring column until Purdue plated a run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Smith gave up a one-out double, followed by a groundball single up the middle that scored the go-ahead run.
Phelps ended the game 3-for-4 with an RBI and McMahon was 2-for-3. McMahon extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Owens was 2-for-4.
NU and Purdue play a doubleheader tomorrow. Game one is scheduled for 1 p.m.
