Three-Run Seventh Inning Pushes No. 19 Purdue Past IPFW 6-1

Wednesday, March 28

West Lafayette, Ind.

4 p.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

5-17

Purdue

18-4

IPFW

Purdue

Photo by: Lucas Carter

Three-Run Seventh Inning Pushes No. 19 Purdue Past IPFW 6-1

3/28/2012 6:18:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Box Score

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- IPFW scored the first run of the game in the top of the fifth inning, but a three-run bottom of the seventh and three more in the bottom of the eighth would give No. 19 Purdue a 6-1 comeback victory.

Cameron Perkins sparked the Purdue comeback and highlighted the seventh inning with a solo home run over the left field wall. The Boilers scored their second run by advancing home on a wild pitch and a ground out put the game at 3-1. Purdue was able to add three-runs to their lead in the bottom of the eighth.

Daniel Tursell was great on the mound for IPFW on Wednesday afternoon. Purdue entered the game leading the nation with a team batting average of .340. Tursell shut down the Purdue bats for a majority of the game. He left the mound after throwing six full innings and limiting the Boilers to just three hits.

Steve Danielak and Drew Overman each got an inning of work in against Purdue. Danielak only allowed one hit while striking out two batters. Overman threw the bottom of the eighth and struck out one. The three runs scored in the eighth were all unearned.

IPFW grabbed the 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning. Kristian Gayday led off with a standup double to left centerfield. It was IPFW's third hit of the day. Danielak followed Gayday in the lineup and reached first base after a throwing error from Eric Charles. Caleb Fenimore was hit by a pitch which loaded the bases for the Mastodons. IPFW took lead after Gayday crossed home plate after an at bat from Jordan Hoeing. A double play would end the inning, yet the 'Dons would enjoy a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.

Purdue threatened to tie the score in the bottom of the sixth. Tursell walked David Miller to start the inning. Miller moved to second after a sacrifice bunt and he advanced to third on a deep fly ball that was caught by Malcolm White. White would end the inning with a nice catch, leaving Miller stranded on third, keeping the score 1-0 in favor of the 'Dons.

Purdue would tie the game after a Cameron Perkins solo home run over the left field wall. It was only Purdue's second hit of the game. Kevin Plawecki got hit by a pitch and then a deep shot to centerfield by Barrett Serrato would put runners on third and second for the Boilers.

Tursell would exit the game after the Serrato double. Danielak entered the game out of the IPFW bullpen. He struck out the first batter he faced, but a wild pitch would give Purdue a 2-1 lead. The Boilers increased the lead to 3-1 after a groundout from Angelo Cianfrocco.

Purdue added three runs in the bottom of the eighth. All three runs were unearned and score with two outs in the inning. Serrato struck out swinging and the inning looked to be over, but Fenimore could not hang on and the passed ball kept the inning alive for Purdue. Back-to-back singles would give the Boilers the 6-1 victory.

IPFW will host Nebraska-Omaha for a three game series this weekend. Friday's game marks the 2012 home opener for the 'Dons. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.

~ Feel the Rumble ~