WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Ball State tied the game with two outs in the ninth inning, turned a game-saving double play the following frame and went on to win in the 12th, defeating Purdue baseball 5-3 Tuesday at Alexander Field.
The Boilermakers (18-18) recorded a season-high 14 strikeouts on the mound in their first extra-innings game of the season. But Purdue did not score after the fifth inning. Cardinals shortstop Justin Kirkpatrick made a diving stop near the second base bag with runners on the corners in the bottom of the 10th inning, turning a potential walk-off RBI for Nick Dalesandro into a game-extending 6-3 double play.
Sean Kennedy's leadoff home run on a 2-2 breaking ball in the top of the 12th accounted for the game-winning run. Kennedy also drove in runs with RBI ground outs in the third and seventh innings.
Ball State (19-18) won its eighth consecutive game and was victorious in West Lafayette for the first time since 2009. At 12 innings in length, the contest matched the second-longest game in Alexander Field history.
Caleb Stayton, who missed the first Purdue-Ball State game last month due to lingering concussion systems, singled with two outs in the ninth inning to drive in the game-tying run. Colin Brockhouse scored the tying run after opening the frame with a pinch-hit single.
Highlights from tonight's 12-inning thriller with Ball State via @BTNStudentU. #BoilerUp https://t.co/ynCaVIcInv
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) April 19, 2017
Purdue starter Jack Dellinger did not allow an earned run for the second time at Alexander Field this season. The freshman recorded four strikeouts vs. one walk over five-plus innings. He gave up a double and single to begin the top of the sixth before being replaced by Dalton Parker. In his Alexander Field debut, Parker was able to escape a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning to keep the Boilermakers in front 3-1. But he was unable to retire Stayton in two at-bats. The Ball State slugger's one-out double led to a run in the top of the seventh and Stayton delivered in the clutch in the ninth.
Purdue recorded a leadoff double in the 10th and 12th innings, but was unable to score in either frame. Logan Poisall delivered a blooper into right center that turned into a two-bagger in the 10th. But his pinch runner Milo Beam was stranded at third on the game-saving double play by Kirkpatrick. Bryce Bonner doubled to open the 12th to allow the Boilermakers to bring the tying run to the plate. It was his 12th double in his last 61 at-bats.
Ross Learnard retired five of the six batters he faced to extend his consecutive scoreless inning streak to 24. Parker had five strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings of relief. Cameron Williams (1-2) struck out four of the eight batters he faced, including the side after giving up three hits and the go-ahead runs in the top of the 12th.
Four straight productive plate appearances in the second inning gave Purdue an early lead. Skyler Hunter led off with a single and scored on Jacson McGowan's triple off the wall in right field. Mike Madej followed with a sacrifice fly and Bonner also singled in the inning.
Mark Wasikowski & Ross Learnard discuss 12-inning thriller at Alexander, won by Ball St. 5-3 after some clutch plays https://t.co/YDmfzua8in
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) April 19, 2017
Evan Warden was hit by a pitch for the national-leading 23rd time this season. He also doubled to open the fifth inning, extending his reached base safely streak to 17 consecutive games. He scored when Ball State threw the ball away on Harry Shipley's subsequent bunt single.
The Cardinals' four relievers -- Evan Korson, Evan Marquardt, T.J. Baker and Nick Floyd (1-0) -- teamed up to work nine innings of five-hit ball, recording seven strikeouts vs. just one walk. They did not give up an earned run. Marquardt retired all eight batters he faced. Purdue did not have a base runner from the sixth through ninth innings.
The Boilermakers are back in action Wednesday for a midweek rematch at Indiana State. First pitch in Terre Haute is slated for 6 p.m. ET. The game will available on ESPN3/WatchESPN.
No matter the outcome it was a beautiful night for @PurdueBaseball at Alexander Field tonight. pic.twitter.com/Ma7HyvzN2W
-- Dave Wegiel Photo (@pinolaphoto) April 19, 2017
Thanks to @PurdueBaseball for having me at the game tonight at Alexander Field pic.twitter.com/qKdHXz1R2Z
-- Jeff Brohm (@JeffBrohm) April 18, 2017