Benches clear as Purdue wins Big Ten Tourney title

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Tempers flared as Purdue (44-12) scored the winning run Saturday in the top of the ninth on a Dustin DeMuth throwing error to win the Big Ten Tournament and beat Indiana (32-28) 6-5 in a back-and-forth contest.

“No regrets is what comes to my mind in regards to what kind of effort our guys gave today,” IU Head Coach Tracy Smith said. “You talk about laying everything on the line and walking away feel pretty good about yourself. It was tough to swallow the loss but I think the guys will feel pretty good about themselves that they gave everything they had today.”

After Indiana tied the game at 5, right-hander Jonny Hoffman found himself in some trouble in the ninth.

Purdue’s David Miller singled and moved to second on a Stephen Talbott sacrifice bunt. Andrew Dixon reached on an infield single that bounced between Hoffman and first baseman Sam Travis, putting runners on the corners with one out.  

Miller was tagged out by DeMuth in a rundown while trying to score on a grounder to third. DeMuth then tried to throw out Dixon at third but skipped the throw past a covering Hoffman at third, allowing Dixon to score the winning run.

“I would have liked to seen a more dramatic way to score a run than for us to throw it away,” Smith said.

Benches cleared on both sides and a fight broke out after Purdue’s Eric Charles attempted to take third and slid shoulder first into shortstop Michael Basil’s legs. While the two scuffled on the ground, Basil grabbed Charles around the neck.

“It was an unfortunate event,” Smith said. “I am embarrassed for our conference. I felt it was important that win, lose, or draw, Indiana University was going to shake hands at the end of the game. That is more important than a baseball game.”

After the fight was finally broken up, the umpires conferenced and decided to eject Charles and DeMuth from the game.

“Once the tape comes out I honestly think there will be more penalties based on our initial (look at it) on clubhouse TV,” Smith said. “It isn’t pretty. They (the umpires have a) very, very tough job to try and sort that out and I thought they did the best they could.”

Purdue got the scoring started in the top of the second. Right fielder Barrett Serrato led off the inning with a double and scored on a Miller RBI single.

The Boilers added to their lead in the fifth. Ryan Bridges walked to leadoff the inning and later scored on Dixon sacrifice fly, giving the Boilers a 3-0 lead.

In the bottom half, Will Nolden hit a two out double and scored on a Tim O’Conner single. A Justin Cureton double made it 3-2 Purdue.

Hoffman was called upon by Smith to replace IU starter Ryan Halstead after he gave up a leadoff walk to Kevin Plaweski in the sixth.

“I think a lot of people are like, holly cow, what are you doing to that guy,” Smith said. “He is a warrior, that dude wanted the baseball every time. We are not in this position through the last half of the season without Jonny Hoffman.”

The first batter Hoffman faced, Serrato, singled to left. With runners on the corners, Angelo Cianfrocco reached on a fielder’s choice that scored Plaweski, making it 4-2 Boilers.

Indiana’s offense fought back in the bottom of the sixth off reliever Blake Mascarello. Kyle Schwarber reached on an error and Travis hit a liner to Mascarello, who airmailed second base while attempting to start the double play. Schwarber ended up at third and Travis made it safely to first.

Micah Johnson doubled home Schwarber and Travis scored on a sacrifice fly to tie it at 4-4.

Purdue broke the tie in the eighth when Plawecki, Big Ten Player of the Year, hit a solo home run to left.

“At that point with two strikes I was just trying to battle and get on base,” Plawecki said. “I put a good swing on it. I knew we had to get something going, we were running out of innings.”

Travis led off the bottom of the eight with a double and advanced to third on a Johnson sacrifice bunt. Chris Sujka came in to run for Travis and scored the tying run (5-5) on a Basil sacrifice fly.

“I think the future is bright for Indiana,” Smith said. “We’ll take break to regroup. I am looking forward to get back at it next year with this nucleus coming back and that beautiful new stadium we’re building.

“I can’t wait. I’m the luckiest guy on the planet.”
    
Despite the loss, Hoffman, Johnson and Nolden were named to the 2012 Big Ten All-Tournament Team.