CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois baseball team dropped Sunday's game to Purdue, 6-4 at Illinois Field. Purdue picked up two runs in the top of the ninth inning.
After consecutive games with 13+ runs and 15+ hits, the offense hit a snag. The Illini were only able to score four runs and record four hits in the game.
The first inning was a repeat of the last two days with the Illini trailing 2-1 at the end of the frame. An RBI single from Branden Comia to bring in Jackson Raper was the first run for Illinois.
The Illini also had two home runs on the day. Xavier Watson hit his first career homer in the fifth, a solo shot out to left field. Then, Cam McDonald hit a game-tying, 2-run homer to right field with two outs in the bottom of the eighth.
Purdue (9-15) would respond in the ninth though with a go-ahead, 2-run double from Miles Simington off RHP Jack Crowder.
RHP Riley Gowens (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 SO) gave up a pair of runs in the first inning, but he did not allow anymore from that point. RHP Ryan Kutt (0-4) suffered the loss in relief after exiting with runners on first and second with one out in the ninth.
Illinois (10-13) will wrap up their pod tomorrow against Purdue at 3 p.m. CT. RHP Aidan Maldonado will get his first start of the season.
Notes
• Illinois has been tied or leading in 10 of their 13 losses this season.
• Xavier Watson hit his first career home run.
• Riley Gowens tossed a career-high 5.0 innings.
