WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Alec Olund connected for a pair of home runs as Purdue baseball scored in four of the first five innings to defeat IPFW, 9-1, and snap a seven-game losing streak Wednesday evening at Alexander Field.
The Boilermakers (10-18) won their eighth straight game against the Mastodons (11-13) and will host them again April 15.
Olund went deep to left field in the second and fourth innings, recording the first multi-homer game by a Purdue player since Sean McHugh in May 2013. The long balls were the first of the freshman's career as well as his first hits in a regular-season game at Alexander Field.
After scoring just 12 runs during their seven-game losing streak, the Boilers took an early 3-0 lead with five hits in the first inning.
Harry Shipley and Kyle Wood each had three hits. Shipley has now reached base safely seven times in his 10 plate appearances while batting leadoff the last two games. Wood recorded his third multi-hit effort in the last six games and drove in a pair of runs for the second game in a row.
Alec Olund & Harry Shipley Discuss the Win
Kyle Johnson walked in each of his final four plate appearances, becoming the first Boilermaker to draw four walks in game since Cody Strong in April 2013. Strong had two hits for the second game in a row Wednesday after enduring an 0-for-16 slump.
Alex Lyons and Kyle Van Hoeck each worked three scoreless of innings of relief to lead the way as the Purdue bullpen put up seven consecutive zeroes. Lyons struck out three and erased one of the hits he allowed by picking the runner off at first base. The Boilermakers turned a pair of double plays behind Van Hoeck and the freshman struck out a pair in his 1-2-3 eighth inning.
Purdue starter Gavin Downs (2-2) worked a 1-2-3 top first and struck out the side an inning later after giving up a home run to begin the frame as well as a two-out single and a walk.
Wood, Jack Picchiotti and Ted Snidanko each recorded an RBI single in the first inning after hits by Shipley and Strong ignited the rally. Eight men also came to the plate in the fourth inning as Strong singled home a run and Brandon Krieg picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice.
Picchiotti crushed a pitch to center field with the bases loaded in the eighth inning, but the IPFW outfielder ran it down and it went for a long sacrifice fly.
The Boilermakers are back in action Friday when they open a three-game Big Ten series with No. 24 Iowa. First pitch is slated for 5:30 p.m. The first 100 Purdue student will receive a free T-shirt and student tickets are buy one get one free.