Michigan State University
Purdue
Five-Run Fifth Inning Helps Baseball Snap Skid
5/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 10, 2010
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Trailing 4-0 in the top of the fifth inning, the Michigan State baseball team rallied to score five runs with two outs and went on to defeat Purdue, 5-4, on Monday afternoon. The win snapped the Spartans season-long five-game losing streak and improved their record to 29-16 and 8-10 in Big Ten play.
"I was proud of our guys, they really showed some resiliency," said MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. "They didn't panic when we got down and they stayed the course and were able to put together a big fifth inning all with two outs."
With just one hit through four innings and the first two hitters retired in the top of the fifth, it looked like the Spartans would have to wait another inning to get their comeback attempt going. But after Purdue starter Drew Wurdack walked Seth Williams and Ryan Jones followed with a base hit to put runners on the corners, the Spartans were suddenly in a position to score.
The Spartans then did just that as Torsten Boss and Jonathan Roof each drove in runs with base hits through the left side. A patient at-bat by Jeff Holm led to a walk and loaded the bases for MSU, and ended Wurdack's day. Chris Roberts followed with another RBI single to make the game, 4-3.
With the bases still loaded, Purdue reliever Kevin Cahill walked Boike to tie the game and then a passed ball allowed Holm to score and gave MSU the lead, 5-4.
Senior closer Kurtis Frymier entered in the eighth and after a fly out and a walk, got an inning-ending double play. In the ninth, he retired the first two hitters and after an MSU error, got Drew Madia to fly out end the game.
For Frymier, it was his sixth save of the season and first since April 9 in a 5-3 win at Minnesota.
"Kurtis was very good in relief and it was much needed," said Boss. "Tony (Bucciferro) was courageous today and gave it all he could and then Kurtis came in and really took over the game. It was a much-needed win."
MSU starter Bucciferro went seven complete innings and allowed four runs, two earned, off nine hits.
For the third consecutive game in the series, the Boilermakers (28-18, 10-8) scored in the first inning as they grabbed a 2-0 lead. They then added solo runs in the second and third frames.
The Spartans will next take on Michigan in a home-and-home series beginning on Tuesday at McLane Baseball Stadium at 3:05 p.m.
