May 16, 2010

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois gave up five runs to Purdue on a pair of homers in the second and fifth innings and the Illini couldn't come back, falling 6-1 to the Boilers as Purdue won the series finale and the weekend series. DH Aaron Johnson and left fielder Casey McMurray each had two hits on the day as Illinois fell to 24-24 overall, 9-12 in the Big Ten. The Illini stand in ninth place with three conference games left, but only one game out of a spot in the Big Ten Tournament, as four teams are tied for fifth place at 10-11.

"We just couldn't get anything going offensively," Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb said. "We had some chances in the early innings but couldn't capitalize. I thought we played hard but we just weren't productive."

Purdue started the scoring with three runs in the second inning when DH Nick Overmyer ripped a three-run homer to left, putting the Boilers up 3-0.

Illinois loaded the bases in the bottom half when Johnson walked and catcher Adam Davis doubled to left-center. Johnson was put out when right fielder Pete Cappetta grounded to third, but - one out later - second baseman Christian Cummins walked on four pitches to load the bases. Shortstop Josh Parr couldn't bring anyone home, though, as he flew out to left to end the inning.

The Illini looked to score in the fourth when third baseman Brandon Hohl walked and moved to third on an error by Purdue shortstop Barrett Serrato on a grounder from Cummins. But Parr flied out to right to end the inning.

The Boilers added two more in the fifth when first baseman Ryan Bridges blasted a two-run dinger to extend their lead to 5-0.

Illinois got a run back in the bottom of the fifth when McMurray doubled to left-center with two outs and Johnson knocked him in with a base hit to left, cutting Purdue's margin to 5-1

But the Boilers added a run in the seventh after a leadoff walk, a base hit, a double play and a single through the left side, making the score 6-1.

After the Illini went down in order in the seventh, closer Bryan Roberts came on to pitch and retired Purdue on only 10 pitches. In the bottom half, Johnson knocked a one-out single off pitcher Drew Wurdack's foot, but reliever Joe Haase came into the game and induced an inning-ending double play from Davis.

Roberts gave up a leadoff walk in the ninth and the next batter sacrificed the runner to second. Roberts allowed another walk before getting a grounder to Craig Lutes at first base and fanning Bridges to end the inning and escape the jam.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Hohl singled through the left side and pinch hitter Thomas Shelton was hit by a pitch. But the next two hitters struck out to end the game, with Purdue taking a 6-1 win.

Johnson was 2-for-3 with an RBI and McMurray went 2-for-4 with a double and a run. Hohl and Davis notched Illinois' other two hits on the day, and Roberts pitched two scoreless innings, allowing only two walks and striking out two to keep his perfect ERA in Big Ten games.

The Illini return to action Tuesday afternoon against Western Michigan when they host the Broncos at 4 p.m. on Elementary School Day. Admission to the final home game of the year is free for all fans.