VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Purdue baseball scored twice in each of the first three innings and received a quality start on the mound from Mike Lutz, defeating Valparaiso, 6-4, in the midweek finale for both teams Tuesday afternoon.
The Boilermakers (18-34) won for the third day in a row and posted their seventh straight victory against Valpo (21-26) dating back to 2006. Purdue has won three straight games for the first time since sweeping Southern Illinois in May 2013 and won three consecutive true road games since a March 2013 sweep of Penn State in Central Pennsylvania.
Matt Frawley closed out the win by striking out the Crusaders' No. 4 and 5 hitters with the bases loaded, earning his second save in the last three days. Valparaiso scored a run in each of the last three innings and had the tying run in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the ninth after Frawley walked the first batter he faced on four pitches.
Lutz (1-0) worked a career-high 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball in his first start of the season and fourth career. He did not have a 1-2-3 frame, but did not give up multiple hits in an inning until the bottom of the sixth. And in that frame he induced an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play ball with runners on the corners.
The Boilermakers recorded seven of their 10 hits over the first three innings, scoring first for the sixth game in a row to race out to an early 6-0 lead. Kyle Johnson led the way three hits, finishing the four-game road trip 9-for-16 with four extra-base hits, four RBI and four runs scored. He was one of five Purdue players to record and RBI Tuesday.
Purdue's leadoff man reached base safely in all three innings in which Valpo starter Connor Kaucic (1-4) was on the mound. Justin Gubser and Johnson doubled to open the second and third, respectively. Jack Picchiotti greeted Drew Hasler, the first of five relievers used by the Crusaders, with an RBI double to cap the scoring for the Boilers in the top of the third. Purdue later lined into a pair of double plays with Hasler on the hill.
Kyle Wood and Johnson recorded consecutive RBI singles in the first inning to remain tied for the team lead with 32 RBI for the season. A throwing error on an infield single by Cody Strong and a sac fly from Brandon Krieg helped the Boilers score twice the following frame. Purdue opened the top of the third with three straight hits, Brett Carlson's RBI singled sandwiched in between doubles by Johnson and Picchiotti.
Tanner Andrews and Alex Lyons each retired the first two batters they faced to close out innings. Lyons entered with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth, and allowed just one run to score to keep the Boilers in front 6-3.
Frawley recorded the game-ending strikeout against Valpo's Josh Clark, who was 2-for-2 with two walks entering the at-bat.
Over the last three games, starting pitchers Gavin Downs, Brett Haan and Lutz have combined for 18 1/3 innings of five-run ball, inducing 33 ground ball outs. The Boilers have also won four of their last five games, recording nine-plus hits in all five games.
Purdue was 7-4 in midweek play this season.
The Boilermakers close their 2015 season with a Thursday through Saturday series against Penn State. Thursday's opener is set for a 5 p.m. first pitch and will be televised live by the Big Ten Network.
Receive Purdue Baseball news via email. Sign up HERE (it works now, we promise).