Box Score: PDF / HTML /// Series Stats
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Iowa put together an extended rally in the eighth inning for the second day in a row, breaking open a tie game with a five-spot and defeating Purdue baseball 7-2 Sunday in the rubber game of the weekend series.
All three games of the opening weekend of Big Ten Conference play were tied entering the eighth inning. The Boilermakers (12-10, 1-2 B1G) scored twice in the eighth Friday to win 2-0. The Hawkeyes (13-9, 1-2 B1G) scored four times in the eighth inning Saturday and had their first six batters put together a productive plate appearance in the bottom of the eighth on this day.
With the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning, a swinging bunt off the bat of Robert Neustrom drove in the go-ahead run. Purdue reliever Nick Wojtysiak (0-1) tried to make a glove flip to the plate but was unable to field the ball cleanly. Ben Norman and Grant Judkins delivered two-run singles later in the frame.
Evan Warden doubled for the third day in a row, but was the only Boilermaker to finish with multiple hits. Harry Shipley (single, two HBP, sac fly), Evan Kennedy (single, walk) and Alec Olund (single, walk) also reached base safely at least twice. Nick Dalesandro drew a walk to extend his career-long reached base safely streak to 17 straight games. Skyler Hunter singled in his first at-bat to extend his reached safely streak to 12 straight games.
Mike Kornacker struck out a career-high five over five innings of two-run ball, his longest outing since March 2015. Five of the six hits he gave up came in just two innings, but he was able to strand a combined three runners in scoring position in those two frames.
Coach @Waz4412 discusses the series loss at Iowa & #Purdue posting a winning record over its 22-game road stretch. https://t.co/LSo7bWxYvx
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) March 26, 2017
Dalesandro threw out two more base stealers over the first five innings before moving to left field. Those outs helped Purdue pitchers face the minimum 12 batters from fourth through seventh innings despite there being just one true 1-2-3 frame during that stretch.
Dalesandro drove in the first run of the day for Purdue when he a smoked a line drive back to the mound, striking Iowa starter Cole McDonald on the wrist and body. McDonald was unable to remain in the game. But the play may have allowed the Hawkeyes to stay out of a big inning. Purdue had runners at second and third with one out when McDonald got drilled. Instead of going up the middle for a single, the ball caromed to shortstop Mason McCoy and he threw out Dalesandro at first base. Jacson McGowan followed with a deep fly ball to center field. Instead of it being a sacrifice fly, it simply ended the inning.
A leadoff walk to pinch hitter Luke Farley batting in the nine-hole set the stage for Iowa's big inning. After a sac bunt and another walk to McCoy, the Hawkeyes opted not to test the arm of Dalesandro in left field on a base hit through the left side. Neustrom's swinging bunt single followed.
Warden's leadoff double in the fifth inning turned into the game-tying run after Olund singled and Shipley hit a sac fly to right field. The following frame, Purdue had runners on second and third with out, but Iowa's Josh Martsching struck out Skyler Hunter and Bryce Bonner to escape the jam and keep the game tied. Martsching struck out seven of the nine batters he faced in the series.
Ross Learnard worked a scoreless sixth inning and has now pitched 12 consecutive scoreless innings dating back to March 11.
Over the course of the series, there were 16 outs recorded on the base paths. Nine base stealers were thrown out plus seven more runners getting cut down at third base or home plate.
Purdue finished its season-opening 22-game road stretch with a 12-10 record. The Boilermakers are the only Big Ten team yet to play a home game, but that streak comes to an end Tuesday when Kent State pays a visit for the home opener at Alexander Field. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. ET. All general admission tickets, hot dogs, nachos and draft beers are priced at just $2 at all midweek games this season.