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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue baseball recorded multiple hits in an inning just once while striking out a season-high 14 times, losing to Indiana State 5-2 Tuesday at Alexander Field.
The Sycamores (13-12) won their fourth straight game in West Lafayette after opening up an early 3-0 lead. Clay Dungan led off the second inning with a home run to right field, connecting for the first long ball at Alexander Field this year.
Indiana State starter Triston Polley and Purdue reliever Ross Learnard both struck out four consecutive batters at one point. Polley (2-1) gave up just one hit over four innings while striking out seven. Learnard allowed an inherited base runner to score for the first time this season, but retired five of the six batters he faced to extend his consecutive scoreless innings pitched streak to 19.
The Boilermakers (15-13) had the potential tying run at the plate or on base in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, but were just 2-for-13 with runners on base for the night. Purdue did not have its leadoff man reach base safely in any of the nine innings.
Highlights from the @BTNStudentU webcast of tonight's 5-2 loss to Indiana State. Back at home this weekend vs IU. https://t.co/AtDQVszSRH
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) April 5, 2017
Skyler Hunter singled in his final two at-bats to extend his reached base safely streak to 18 consecutive games. He scored the Boilermakers' first run on a two-out single from Jacson McGowan in the sixth inning. McGowan walked and singled twice in his first three plate appearances as the only Purdue player to reach base safely three times.
Evan Warden delivered a two-out RBI double in the seventh inning to extend his reached base safely streak to nine consecutive games. Bryce Bonner drew a walk in his final plate appearance to keep a streak alive that has seen him reach base safely in all 15 games he has started this season.
After Jack Dellinger had issued just one walk and surrendered only one earned run over 12 1/3 innings in his last two starts, the freshman was unable to record an out in the fourth inning on this night. He worked a 1-2-3 top of the first, but six of the next 12 batters he faced reached base safely. He was lifted after a four-pitch leadoff walk to begin the fourth inning.
Mark Wasikowski & Jacson McGowan discuss Purdue's 5-2 loss to Indiana State tonight at Alexander Field. https://t.co/1t1zrOozLM
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) April 5, 2017
Nick Dalesandro and Harry Shipley teamed up to throw out a runner at the plate from left field on a double by Dane Giesler in the top of the fifth. Brian Ghiselli was able to strand Giesler at third base in the frame to keep it a 3-0 game. Giesler doubled twice and also delivered an RBI single off the wall in right center in the seventh inning.
A single by Hunter and the walk to Bonner gave Purdue runners on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. Representing the go-ahead run at the plate, pinch hitter Drew Bertram's ground ball led to a fielder's choice force out at third base. Indiana State closer Austin Conway went on to work a 1-2-3 ninth after escaping that jam.
The Boilermakers return to action Friday when they begin a three-game Big Ten series against rival Indiana. The Hoosiers will be making their first appearance at Alexander Field, which opened in 2013.
Purdue and Indiana State will play again April 19 in Terre Haute.
A fun night tonight photographing @PurdueBaseball vs. @IndStBaseball. More photos to come later. pic.twitter.com/ohYXdzGU0T
-- Dave Wegiel Photo (@pinolaphoto) April 5, 2017