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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Hayden Grant scored from first base on Alec Olund's double in the 12th inning, accounting for the decisive run in Purdue baseball's 2-1 walk-off victory vs. Northwestern on Saturday at Alexander Field.
The Boilermakers (26-19, 10-7 B1G) improved to 7-1 on their season-long homestand, which concludes with Sunday's rubber game against the Wildcats. Purdue has won in walk-off fashion four times this season after having only three such wins in its first four years at Alexander Field. Those four wins are a big reason why the Boilermakers are now 8-2 in one-run games.
Ross Learnard worked a season-high 4 1/3 innings of three-hit relief, extending his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 32. He gave up a two-out single to Jack Claeys in the top of the eighth that plated the game-tying run. But the lefty kept the game tied by stranding runners at second and third in the ninth inning, and by pitching over a leadoff double thanks in part to an inning-ending 3-6 line drive double play in the 11th.
Full highlights from tonight's 12-inning thriller vs N'western. Thanks to @MTCSportsNet for great work on webcasts. https://t.co/RTI9D19scC
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) May 7, 2017
Gareth Stroh and Hank Christie squared off in a stellar pitcher's duel. Stroh worked 7 1/3 innings of six-hit ball, departing with Purdue in front 1-0 after issuing a one-out walk in the top of the eighth. The lefty gave up three single in the first inning, but kept NU (18-27, 7-10 B1G) from scoring after Bryce Bonner threw out a base stealer at second for the second out. Stroh went on to retire 19 of the final 24 batters he faced, working three 1-2-3 innings and striking out five.
The only run Christie surrendered was unearned after he committed a throwing error on a bunt single by Milo Beam in the fifth inning. Beam took second on the play and scored on a two-out single by Harry Shipley. Christie worked eight innings of six-hit ball, retiring nine of the final 10 batters he faced. The freshman also worked three 1-2-3 frames and issued just one walk.
Because of his strong arm, Olund entered the game as a defensive replacement in right field in the ninth inning after a one-out single and a walk gave the Wildcats runners on first second. A double steal put the go-ahead run 90 feet from home, but Learnard (5-0) struck out Nick Paciorek and then got Erro to fly out to keep the game tied.
Olund faced NU reliever Sam Lawrence (3-3) twice. In his second at-bat, he ripped a first-pitch fastball into the gap in left center. Grant had beat out an infield single moments earlier. He slid in head first at home, but still scored the game-winning run as the relay throw got past the catcher.
Tonight's 12th-inning heroes @Yung_HJ & @AlecOlund1 discuss the 2-1 walk-off win vs. Northwestern. #BoilerUp https://t.co/SmBscGdDxK
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) May 7, 2017
The Boilermakers loaded the bases with two outs in the 11th inning, but Lawrence retired Mike Madej on a line out to left field to extend the game. Northwestern infielders made three strong defensive plays to take away hits from Madej, Grant and Olund late in the contest.
Purdue has won five of Stroh's last six starts dating back to April 1. He has given Purdue a quality start in each of his four outings at Alexander Field, compiling a 2.22 ERA and .188 batting average against over 28 1/3 innings pitched.
Shipley reached base safely in each of his first three plate appearances. Skyler Hunter joined him as Boilermakers to record two hits Saturday, both coming with two outs.
Olund recorded his second career walk-off RBI. He drove in the game-winning run with a two-out bunt single in last year's 14-inning win vs. Ohio in Kokomo, Indiana.
Sunday's series finale is slated for 1 p.m. ET.