WEST
LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Indiana State baseball team carried a
one-run lead into the ninth inning and pushed No. 13 Purdue to their final out,
but the Boilermakers got a pinch-hit solo home run from Sean McHugh in the
ninth and won the game in the 10th inning, 2-1, in the final game at
PU's Lambert Field.
Indiana State (40-13) took the lead in the fourth inning, taking advantage of a
Purdue error in the frame. Junior Rob Ort skied a pitch to shallow left field
that left fielder Andrew Dixon had bounce off his glove for two-base error. Senior
Jon Hedges followed and gave ISU the lead, bringing Ort home with a double to
left.
Freshman Kyle Rupe tossed into the seventh inning, allowing just two hits and
no runs while striking out three in 6.2 innings of work. Redshirt freshman
Tyler Pazik sent ISU to the ninth with a one-run lead, getting the next four
outs while picking up one strikeout and picking off one runner.
Senior Brandon Dorsett began the ninth inning and recorded two outs, inducing a
flyout to Ort in right and a groundout to sophomore Tyler Wampler at short. With
a left-handed hitter coming to bat next, head coach Rick Heller chose to bring
senior Reggie Hochstedler into the game out of the ISU bullpen. Purdue countered
with McHugh, a right-handed hitter, who tied the game with his second home run
of the season on a 0-1 pitch.
Purdue (40-10) won the game in the 10th inning, getting a pair of
singles before Cameron Perkins gave Purdue the walkoff win with a fielder's
choice to left.
Hedges led ISU with a pair of hits at the plate on Tuesday.
Indiana State returns to action on Thursday, when the MVC-leading Sycamores
(13-5 MVC) host second-place Missouri State (11-6 MVC) for the first of a
three-game series. Reduced ticket prices have been announced for this weekend,
as fans can purchase single-game general admission tickets for $2 and chairback
seating for $5. First pitch on Thursday and Friday is set for 6:30 p.m. with
Saturday's series finale beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Senior Day.
