Hoosiers lead Purdue after Titan series win

IU (32-16, 13-12 in the Big Ten) is now tied with Illinois for third place in the conference after winning three of four against Purdue (22-29, 12-16 in the Big Ten). \nIn an unusual series due to rainy weather, the Hoosiers swept a doubleheader Tuesday at Sembower Field batting as the visitors. \nThe first two games were played at Purdue, with IU winning 15-5 on Friday but losing 2-0 on Monday. The Hoosiers picked up a point in the Titan Series against the Boilers, which they now lead 9.0 to 8.0.\n"We feel good anytime we beat Purdue," coach Bob Morgan said. "It's a short week for us. We used a lot of pitchers today, so pitching-wise we might be a little short this weekend against Northwestern. They have three senior pitchers who are among the leagues best, so it'll be tough."\nIn game two on Tuesday, senior reliever Pat Boucher stepped into a starter's role in place of senior Matt Rice, who missed the game because of arm problems. \nIU took an early 3-0 lead after junior Vasili Spanos' 16th home run of the season in the top of the third. But Purdue utilized three consecutive successful bunts off Boucher in the bottom of the fifth to score four runs and take a 5-4 lead. \nThe Hoosiers answered with five runs in the top of the sixth, highlighted by sophomore Josh Romero's base-clearing, two-run triple off the top of the rightfield wall. \n"It was a fastball away," Romero said. "I didn't think I hit it that hard, but it almost went out."\nSenior Eric Blakeley later hit a base-clearing, three-RBI double down the third base line to give the Hoosiers a 9-5 lead. \nThe Hoosiers held on to win the game 9-6. \nSophomore Adam Pegg picked up the win to improve to 5-3. Junior Ryan Smith picked up his seventh and eighth saves on Tuesday, tying Chris Wilson for the single-season save record at IU.\nGame one was dominated by junior right-hander Nick Vitielliss, who gave up two earned runs on three hits in six plus innings in a 4-2 Hoosier victory. He is now 7-0, and his five conference wins tie the IU single season Big Ten record. \n"The defense made some great plays behind me," Vitielliss said. "I would have liked to finish out the game, but it was the perfect opportunity for (Smith) to come in and shut the door on 'em." \nMonday's game was a pitcher's duel between senior Zach Otte and Purdue sophomore Mitch Pruemer. Otte allowed two runs on four hits in six innings, but it wasn't enough as Purdue won 2-0. Pruemer earned Big Ten Pitcher-of-the-Week honors with a three-hit shutout. Junior Kennard Jones had his hitting streak stopped at 18. His .421 average leads the conference. \nIU travels to Northwestern (22-25, 12-13 in the Big Ten) for a four-game series this weekend to conclude the regular season. A good showing could mean a two or three-seed at the Big Ten Tournament. A poor showing could end the Hoosiers' postseason chances.