A dreary, rain-soaked afternoon produced a sloppy baseball game between Ball State University and Purdue University.
The Boilermakers (18-21, 5-9 Big Ten) topped the Cardinals 14-6 in eight innings, giving Ball State (19-19, 8-8 Mid-American Conference) its first loss to a Big Ten school this season. Junior starting pitcher Drew Wurdack (3-1) threw six innings and allowed three runs for the win. Senior starter Adam Quinn (2-3) went three innings, allowing five runs in a losing effort. Purdue closer Kevin Cahill picked up his fifth save of the season with a scoreless 1 1/3 innings.
The game was called after eight innings because of rain, but Ball State received a scare before the umpires halted the contest. Cahill hit junior center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker in the knee with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Hazelbaker was taken out of the game and limped back to the dugout.
"He'll be fine," coach Greg Beals said. "I don't know how he'll feel tomorrow, but in the long run he'll be fine."
Beals said he will err on the side of caution with his center fielder in today's game against IPFW.
Four players were hit by pitches, all in the final three innings. Beals said he was content with the umpires' decision to continue the game in wet conditions.
"It's nobody's fault," Beals said. "If it hits Hazelbaker a few inches higher it just hits his thigh. Their pitcher was just trying to throw a curveball inside."
Purdue never trailed in the game and opened the scoring with three runs in the second inning. It added two more in the third inning, both driven in by junior shortstop Nick Overmyer. The ninth hitter in the Boilermaker lineup went 5-for-5 with six RBIs and three runs.
"We didn't make quality pitches to him," Beals said. "He's a solid, aggressive hitter and he's going to get hits if you leave the ball up."
The Cardinals answered with a two-run home run from sophomore shortstop T.J. Baumet in the bottom of the second inning. It was Baumet's fifth home run in his last three games and eighth of the season.
Beals said it was more important that Baumet was giving the bottom of the order a quality bat than hitting for power.
"He's more comfortable and taking better swings," Beals said. "He's starting to get hot."
Ball State closed the game to 9-6 with three runs in the bottom of the seventh but left the bases loaded.
Senior reliever Josh Vollmer was unable to keep the game close and Purdue tacked five runs on in the top of the eighth. Vollmer hit two batters to start the inning before striking out freshman second baseman Eric Charles. It was the only out Vollmer recorded as he allowed the next four Boilermakers to reach base.
The appearance was Vollmer's first since April 17 against Central Michigan University, a game in which he allowed one hit and struck out two batters in an inning of work.
"It's always tough when you're not getting regular action," Beals said. "But it can't be an excuse. He pitched well his last time out and we had confidence in him out there."
The loss dropped Ball State's record against the Big Ten to 3-1 this year.
"It bothers me," Beals said. "I don't know if it bothers our guys because they didn't play well today. It leaves a bitter taste."
Ball State will get another chance at the Big Ten when it travels to the University of Michigan May 12. Ball State will play at 3 p.m. today against IPFW.
Today's game is Ball State's final home game until it plays at home May 14.
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