TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- All nine batters in Purdue baseball's original starting lineup reached base safely at least once and the Boilermakers scored in five different innings to defeat Indiana State, 10-6, Tuesday evening.
Purdue (11-21) was victorious in Terre Haute for the first time since 2006.
After seeing their lead cut to 5-4 entering the top of the eighth, the Boilers scored five times in the frame to match their biggest rally of the season. Eleven men came to the plate in the inning despite Purdue recording just one hit, a two-run single with the bases loaded from Kyle Wood. The Boilermakers drew four walks and were hit by a pitch three times in the eighth inning. Kyle Johnson walked twice in the frame.
Matt Gibbs retired six of the seven batters he faced to close out the victory. After entering the game with the bases loaded and no outs in the eighth inning, the senior struck out the first two batters he faced. ISU's Tyler Friis followed with a two-run single. But Gibbs did not allow the Sycamores (13-16) to bring the tying run to the plate and worked a 1-2-3 inning vs. ISU's 3-4-5 hitters in the bottom of the ninth.
Starter Gavin Downs (3-2) retired nine of the 11 batters he faced over three scoreless innings, inducing seven ground ball outs, including three comebackers.
Wood finished the night 3-for-5. Brandon Krieg, Cody Strong and Kyle Johnson also reached base safely three times each. Ted Snidanko and Krieg both had a pair of hits and an RBI. Johnson doubled to go along with his two walks, extending his reached base safely streak to 13 consecutive games.
Watch Kyle Wood's Two-Run Single in the 8th & Matt Gibbs Close Out the Win
Alec Olund delivered an RBI double over the center fielder's head in the second inning, but had to leave the game in the bottom of the fourth due to injury. The freshman tried to make a diving catch on the warning track in right field and hurt his shoulder and back when he dove into the outfield wall. He was taken to a local hospital for x-rays after walking off the field under his own power.
Snidanko and Strong recorded two-out RBI singles in the first two innings, respectively, helping the Boilers open up an early 3-0 lead. Doubles from Justin Gubser and Olund in the bottom of the second also led to a run.
Was great to see my coaches after the game. Blessed to have the coaches, teammates, and trainers that I have. Awesome 2 see us win #BoilerUp
-- Alec Olund âš¾️ (@AlecOlund1) April 8, 2015
After seeing ISU make it a one-run game with two in the fourth inning, Purdue got the runs back thanks to a pair of wild pitches. Harry Shipley scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning after getting hit by a pitch, taking second on Strong's sacrifice bunt and tagging up to move into third on a fly ball to right field off the bat of Krieg. An inning later, Brett Carlson scored from third when strike three to Jordan Lewis got away from the catcher.
Shipley and Wood teamed up for a nice defensive play to prevent a two-out run from scoring in the bottom of the sixth. Purdue led 5-2 at the time. With a runner on third and two outs, ISU's Andrew Gutierrez hit a slow chopper to shortstop. Shipley had to hurry and his throw drew Wood off the bag, but the first baseman successfully applied the swipe tag to retire the batter.
Krieg and Johnson coaxed bases-loaded walks to force in runs in the eighth inning. Daniel Sander was also hit by a pitch with the sacks packed to plate a run. Indiana State used three different pitchers in the inning.
The Boilermakers return to action Saturday when they open a Big Ten Conference series at No. 12 Illinois. Purdue will be visiting Champaign-Urbana for the third year in a row.
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