GRAND SLAM! Kyle Wood gets the Boilers on the board with a shot to left center field in the bottom of the sixth. https://t.co/LJH5fi2tMO
-- Purdue Athletics (@PurdueSports) March 24, 2016
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Kyle Wood's sixth-inning grand slam was his eighth home run in the last 11 games, but the long ball came after Purdue baseball had already fallen into a big hole as No. 7 Louisville spoiled the home opener at Alexander Field 9-4 Wednesday evening.
The Cardinals (17-4) scored multiple runs in each of the first three innings. They strung together six consecutive hits in the top of the first to put up an early four spot. The Boilermakers (4-13) have given up a combined 21 runs over the first three innings of the last three games.
Wood connected for his first collegiate grand slam and Purdue's third slam of the season, homering for the fourth game in a row and increasing his Big Ten-leading total to eight. He's the first Boilermaker since at least the beginning of the 2005 season to homer in four straight games. The left-handed hitter once again went deep to the opposite field and has now homered to left five times during his power surge.
Brian Ghiselli and Gavin Downs teamed up to post five consecutive scoreless innings over the second half of the game. But Louisville had at least one hit in every inning, racking up 17 for the night, while holding Purdue without a hit until Duncan McKinnon singled in the sixth inning as Kade McClure (5-0) began his third trip through the lineup.
McKinnon's single was sandwiched between a leadoff hit by pitch of Harry Shipley and a walk to Jack Picchoitti. That loaded the bases for Kyle Johnson, who connected for a grand slam Tuesday at Ball State. McClure retired Johnson on an infield fly pop up, but wasn't as lucky against Wood.
Kyle Wood & Doug Schreiber discuss Wood's grand slam & Purdue's 9-4 loss to No. 7 Louisville. https://t.co/Yksqa9QVsd
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) March 24, 2016
After being down 9-0 through four innings, the Boilermakers actually had the potential tying run in the on-deck circle in the seventh inning. But Sam Bordner struck out Johnson with the bases loaded to end Purdue's final significant threat of the night.
Nick Solak went 4-for-4 with a walk, finishing just a home run shy of the cycle in the three-hole of Louisville's lineup. He singled, doubled and triple over his first three at-bats. His fourth hit of the night came on a broken-bat single to left field.
Cody Strong and Shipley teamed up for a relay sequence to cut down a runner at the plate on a double over Strong's head in left field in the first inning. It marked the seventh runner Purdue has thrown out at home over the last five games.
McKinnon singled twice and also drew a walk while serving as the Boilermakers' leadoff man. Picchiotti walked twice to extend his reached base safely streak to 11 straight games. Nick Dalesandro threw out two of five base stealers while making his second start of the season behind the plate. Louisville is always one of the most aggressive teams in the country with putting base runners in motion.
The Boilermakers return to action Friday when they host Nebraska in the Big Ten Conference opener for both team. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
Highlights of this evenings home opener 9-4 loss to Louisville. Kyle Wood hit a 6th inning grand slam for Purdue! https://t.co/knzf53QIrU
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) March 24, 2016