WESTFIELD, Ind. -- Purdue baseball scored multiple runs in seven consecutive innings en route to posting its highest run total since 2006, snapping a 10-game losing streak in weekend series rubber games with a 23-5 victory against Northern Illinois Sunday afternoon at Grand Park.
The Boilermakers (7-10) won a weekend series for the first time since sweeping Southern Illinois at Alexander Field in May of 2013. They also won a series after losing the first game of the weekend since May 2009 at Michigan State. Purdue's last rubber game victory was at Nebraska in April 2012.
The Boilermakers recorded 20 runs and 20 hits for the first time since wins against Illinois-Chicago in March (hits) and April (runs) of 2013. But the 23 runs Sunday were the most since beating Indiana, 25-8, in April 2006 in Bloomington and the 24 hits were Purdue's most since racking up a program-record 30 in a March 2012 victory at Murray State.
Overshadowed by the offensive outburst was another stellar start by sophomore righthander Matt Frawley. He did not give up a legit hit until the sixth inning and did not issue a walk. Frawley (1-2) surrendered just two runs (one earned) on two hits, retiring 13 of the first 14 batters he faced.
Despite not entering the game until the sixth inning, Ted Snidanko finished the day with a career-high seven RBI and just a single shy of the cycle. The sophomore connected for a grand slam, his first collegiate long ball, in the sixth inning as Purdue posted its second five-run frame of the game. It was the first slam by a Boilermaker since Sean McHugh at Michigan in May 2013 and he became the first Purdue player with seven RBI in a game since Josh Estill in April 2013.
Snidanko nearly hit two grand slams. He tripled off the fence in left center with the bases loaded in his third at-bat.
Ted Snidanko recaps the offensive onslaught in the Sunday win
The Boilermakers scored 10 of their 23 runs against NIU starter Ryan Olson (1-1), who had surrendered only four runs on 12 hits over 15 1/3 innings entering the day.
The first two Purdue hitters reached base safely in each of the first four innings. Brandon Krieg had three hits to finish the weekend with multiple knocks in all three games. His three-run double in the second inning was the big hit in the Boilers' first five-run frame of the day.
Kyle Johnson doubled twice and was one four Purdue players to score three times. The Boilermakers had nine extra-base hits in the win.
James Jewell had four productive plate appearances in his first start as a Boilermaker. As the designated hitter he executed a sacrifice bunt in each of his first two trips to the plate, highlighted by a squeeze bunt on a pitch in the dirt in the third inning. He recorded an RBI single the following frame for his first hit as a Boiler.
Kyle Wood singled twice to extend his reached base safely streak to 13 consecutive games. He has hit safely in his last eight games and has eight multi-hit games during his 13-game streak.
Jack Picchiotti, Brett Carlson, Harry Shipley and Daniel Sander also had a pair of hits. Shipley reached base safely four times after also getting hit by a pitch in his first two plate appearances. He was plunked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the second to plate Purdue's first run.
The Boilermakers have five games on the schedule next week, starting with a noon first pitch Tuesday at No. 15 Louisville. Wednesday's game vs. Valparaiso will now serve as the official home opener at Alexander Field.
Kyle & Brad Wood with their parents Mike & Lynn after the game Sunday.