May 16, 2008

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois gave up 15 total runs in the first two innings of both doubleheader games as Purdue grabbed early leads and held on to sweep a twinbill from the Illini by scores of 14-4 and 13-8. Ryan Hastings went 4-for-7 with a double, two RBIs and a run, and Kyle Hudson was 5-for-10 with a double, two runs, an RBI and a stolen base, moving within three of breaking Shawn Roof's school record.

In game one, Purdue scored one in the first and five more in the second, as Illini starter Kevin Manson lasted just two innings, giving up six runs on eight hits and a walk. Illinois got three runs back in the bottom of the second when third baseman John Schlichter drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a balk. One out later, left fielder Casey McMurray drove him in with a single to right. McMurray moved to third on Hudson's base hit and Hudson stole second. Second baseman Joe Bonadonna drove in both runners with a double to right-center, cutting the deficit to 6-3.

But the Boilermakers tacked on two more runs in the third and held the Illini at bay until the sixth, when Illinois pushed across another tally. Hastings led off with a base hit and moved to second on Schlichter's infield hit. After an out, Hastings moved to third on McMurray's flyout and scored on Hudson's base hit to right, making the score 8-4 in Purdue's favor. But the Boilers scored once in the seventh and five times in the eighth to pull away for a 14-4 win. Hudson was 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI, a run and a steal in game one, while Hastings and McMurray each went 2-for-4.

Game two started much like game one as Purdue touched Illini starter Scott Shaw for five runs in the first inning, including a pair of two-run homers. Illinois scored one in the bottom half when Bonadonna reached on a one-out bunt single and moved to second on a groundout. He came around on catcher Aaron Johnson's single to left, making the score 5-1.

But Purdue got two in the second and five in the fifth before the Orange and Blue could respond with a five-run fifth. With one out, McMurray doubled to left-center and scored when the second baseman let Hudson's grounder through the wickets. Hudson moved to third on Bonadonna's single to center and scored on Wikoff's sacrifice fly. Purdue's third baseman booted Johnson's grounder, which moved Bonadonna to third, and the Boilers' left fielder dropped Webb's fly ball, which brought home Bonadonna and put Johnson on third. Hastings followed with a two-run hustle double to right, cutting Purdue's lead to 12-6.

The Boilers added a run in the seventh, though, on a hit batter, a stolen base, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly. Illinois looked to mount a rally in its last at bat as Johnson led off with a double to center and Webb walked off Purdue's first baseman-turned-pitcher Ryne White. Hastings walked to load the bases and Altobelli drove in two with a single. But the Boilers brought in closer Josh Lindblom, who retired three consecutive hitters to end the game with Purdue winning, 13-8.

In addition to the production by Hastings and Hudson, Bonadonna was 4-for-9 with a double, two RBIs and two runs, and Johnson was 3-for-7 with a double, two runs and an RBI. Altobelli drove in two runs in game two as he started at DH, his first start since April 23.

Up Next: The Illini finish their series with Purdue on Saturday with another doubleheader. Game times are 4:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. and both will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.