WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind -- Jack Picchiotti connected for a grand slam to break open a tie game in the seventh inning, propelling Purdue baseball to a 9-5 win against Rutgers Friday evening at Alexander Field in the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams.
Picchiotti finished with a career-high five RBI after also delivering a run-scoring triple in the fourth inning to tie the game. The junior has homered three times in the last five games and Friday connected for the Boilers' second grand slam in the last four games.
Kyle Johnson reached base safely in all four of his plate appearances and scored three times. Ted Snidanko had two hits and two RBI.
Joe Eichmann (1-0) finished off a walk and gave up a base hit to load the bases in the seventh inning after Rutgers (3-14, 0-1 Big Ten) had already scored three times with two outs to tie the game at 5-5. He went to a full count on the Scarlet Knights' nine-hole hitter but got him to ground out to shortstop to escape the jam.
Harry Shipley made a nice diving play behind second base to start a game-ending 6-4-3 double play. It was the second game in a row and fourth time this season Purdue closed out a win with a double play.
Jack Picchiotti & Kyle Johnson Discuss the Victory
Brett Carlson reached base safely in each of his first three plate appearances but was lifted in favor of pinch hitter Evan Kennedy when Rutgers went to the bullpen after consecutive one-out walks in the seventh inning. Kennedy hit a pop up into short center field that dropped between the shortstop and center fielder for a hit. Picchiotti hit the next pitch into the bullpen beyond the right field wall.
Rutgers out hit Purdue (9-11, 1-0 Big Ten), 12-9, but left 11 runners on base.
Gavin Downs retired the first six batters he faced, stranding runners on first and second in the fifth inning after taking over for starter Mike Kornacker with two outs. But Downs was unable to record the final out of the top of the seventh after retiring the first two batters of the frame.
Picchiotti's triple into the right field corner allowed Purdue to cash in on a leadoff walk to Carlson in the fourth inning. Snidanko's RBI single plated Picchiotti.
An inning later, Johnson executed a hit and run single through the vacated right side with Brandon Krieg in motion. Kyle Wood followed with a sacrifice fly to left field. After walks to Picchiotti and Clarson loaded the bases, Snidanko hit a sharp grounder to shortstop. John Jennings made a diving play on the ball and a force out at second base. Instead of heading for third base, Carlson initially went back to second. Rutgers was able to tag him out at third for an unconventional 6-4-5 double play. However, because the runner had to be tagged out at third base, Johnson was able to score the Boilers' second run of the inning before the final out of the frame was recorded at third.
Kornacker escaped a base-loaded jam in the second inning but gave up three straight hits to begin the third, allowing the Scarlet Knights to take a 2-1 lead. However, he limited the damage by inducing a 6-3 ground ball double play with runners on the corners and no outs.
Purdue turned three double plays in the win and Shipley was part of all three.
The Boilermakers have scored 61 runs over their last seven games and won four of their last five. Purdue won its Big Ten opener for the third time in the last four seasons.
Game two of the series is Saturday at 2 p.m.
Great shots from @charlesjischke tonight, capturing the dugout's reaction to & home plate celebration of Picc's Slam. pic.twitter.com/boO1pMK1M4
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) March 21, 2015