NEW ORLEANS -- Tanner Andrews matched zeros with Tulane's starting pitcher for seven innings, but the Green Wave broke through with a two-out run in the bottom of the eighth to take the series-opening pitcher's duel with Purdue baseball 1-0 Friday.
The Boilermakers (8-3) had the tying run in scoring position with one out in the ninth inning, but the game ended on a fly ball to right center with runners at second and third.
Matt Rowland's leadoff double in the eighth inning led to the only run of the game. Jonathan Artigues delivered a two-out, two-strike single up the middle to break the scoreless stalemate and chase Andrews (2-1).
Tulane starter Kaleb Roper struck out eight over eight innings of two-hit ball. Evan Warden drew both walks that Roper issued as the only Boilermaker to reach base safely against him twice. Roper (1-2) retired 11 consecutive batters from the first through the fifth innings and induced 11 ground ball outs.
Andrews struck out seven over 7 2/3 innings, working four true 1-2-3 frames. Three of his strikeouts were very timely. After the first two batters reached base safely to begin the fifth inning, he struck out the next two men to come to the plate. With Rowland at third base with one out in the bottom of the eighth, Andrews struck out Acy Owen for the second out of the frame.
The Boilermakers had two men on with one out in both the fifth and ninth innings. Tulane (7-7) gave Purdue an extra out in the top of the ninth when shortstop Sam Gozzo dropped the ball while trying to tag out pinch runner Alec Olund at second base. That led to changes at the plate and on the mound. Lefty Sam Bjorngjeld was able to retire freshmen Charlie Nasuti and Ben Nisle to close out the win. Nisle elevated the ball into right center, but Grant Witherspoon read the ball well off the bat and made the catch to end the game.
Roper was able to retire Skyler Hunter and Jacson McGowan in the vaunted heart of Purdue's lineup to end the sixth inning, pitching over a walk to Evan Warden and hit by pitch of Harry Shipley.
Hunter and McGown both singled Friday to extend streaks. Hunter has hit safely in all 11 games this season. McGowan has reached base safely in 13 straight games dating back to the end of last year. An infield single by Evan Kennedy in the fifth inning accounted for the Boilermakers' only other hit.
Friday was Purdue's first 1-0 game since defeating Cal State Northridge in 10 innings in May 2016. The Boilermakers lost in 1-0 fashion for the first time since February 2015 vs. Missouri in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Purdue has lost consecutive games for the first time this season. The team had scored 37 runs in its last four games prior to Friday.
The series continues Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.