Box Score: PDF / XML /// Series Stats
TULSA, Okla. – Purdue pitchers strung together six consecutive scoreless innings before Oral Roberts broke up a tie game with a two-out RBI single in the eighth inning, defeating the Boilermakers 3-2 to complete a three-game series sweep Saturday.
Alex Schmitz delivered the go-ahead RBI via a base hit through the right side with two outs in the eighth inning. It was the first hit ORU (6-3) had recorded since the bottom of the third. The lead runner scored from second after reaching base safely via a leadoff walk.
Patrick J. Smith (4 1/3 IP, 4 H, 5 K) and Trent Johnson (3 IP, 0 H, 3 K) teamed up for 7 1/3 innings of four-hit ball. Smith again put together a quality performance after giving up a couple runs in the first inning. He retired 11 of the final 15 batters he faced. Johnson (0-1) induced an inning-ending 4-3 double play vs. the first batter he faced and worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh.
Ben Nisle led off the second inning with Purdue's first home run of the season, a rocket to left field for his eighth career long ball as a Boilermaker. Nisle also made a nice running catch in left field to take away a likely RBI double in the fourth inning.
Tyler Powers delivered a two-out RBI single in the second inning to help the Boilermakers cash in on a double from Johnny Sage. But it was the only frame of the day in which Purdue scored. The Boilermakers did not hold the lead at any point in the series. They have scored in one inning or fewer in four of their last five games.
The Golden Eagles extended their home win streak to 16 consecutive games dating back to April of last season. It's the longest active streak in the nation.
A leadoff walk to Bryce Bonner in the ninth inning put the tying run on base, but pinch runner Milo Beam was thrown trying to steal second base after Justin Fugitt failed to execute a sacrifice bunt.
The Oral Roberts bullpen was very effective for the second day in a row, working four hitless innings. In the series, ORU relievers worked nine innings of one-hit ball, recording nine strikeouts vs. two walks. Purdue was retired in order three times Saturday and sent only three men to the plate in two others innings.
For the series, the Boilermakers issued 11 walks while only drawing four in their trips to the plate.
Nick Evarts took away a game-opening single from Oral Roberts leadoff man Blake Hall with an impressive diving stop at third base. It turned out to be a key play because three of the next four ORU batters hit safely. Spencer Henson's hit-and-run RBI double was the key hit of the frame. Henson also scored twice on the day, including the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.
Sage was the only Purdue player to hit safely in all three games of the series, finishing the weekend 4-for-12 with no strikeouts.
The Boilermakers' 1-9 start is their poorest since the 2014 team opened the season 1-14. Both teams played equally challenging pre-conference schedules.
Up next for Purdue is a three-game series vs. Creighton. It was originally scheduled to be played at TD Ameritrade Park, the home of the College World Series as well as the 2019 Big Ten Tournament. However, CU has already determined the series needs to be relocated due to a late-February snow storm to hit Nebraska. The new site will be announced early next week.
TULSA, Okla. – Purdue pitchers strung together six consecutive scoreless innings before Oral Roberts broke up a tie game with a two-out RBI single in the eighth inning, defeating the Boilermakers 3-2 to complete a three-game series sweep Saturday.
Alex Schmitz delivered the go-ahead RBI via a base hit through the right side with two outs in the eighth inning. It was the first hit ORU (6-3) had recorded since the bottom of the third. The lead runner scored from second after reaching base safely via a leadoff walk.
Patrick J. Smith (4 1/3 IP, 4 H, 5 K) and Trent Johnson (3 IP, 0 H, 3 K) teamed up for 7 1/3 innings of four-hit ball. Smith again put together a quality performance after giving up a couple runs in the first inning. He retired 11 of the final 15 batters he faced. Johnson (0-1) induced an inning-ending 4-3 double play vs. the first batter he faced and worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh.
Ben Nisle led off the second inning with Purdue's first home run of the season, a rocket to left field for his eighth career long ball as a Boilermaker. Nisle also made a nice running catch in left field to take away a likely RBI double in the fourth inning.
Tyler Powers delivered a two-out RBI single in the second inning to help the Boilermakers cash in on a double from Johnny Sage. But it was the only frame of the day in which Purdue scored. The Boilermakers did not hold the lead at any point in the series. They have scored in one inning or fewer in four of their last five games.
The Golden Eagles extended their home win streak to 16 consecutive games dating back to April of last season. It's the longest active streak in the nation.
A leadoff walk to Bryce Bonner in the ninth inning put the tying run on base, but pinch runner Milo Beam was thrown trying to steal second base after Justin Fugitt failed to execute a sacrifice bunt.
Coach Waz after Saturday's loss at Oral Roberts: "Through the first 10 games, our make up & mentality is not what we need it to look like. It's not what it has been at Purdue since I've been the coach here. The coaching staff will own that & get it fixed." pic.twitter.com/S2qnbFPAt7
— Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) March 2, 2019
The Oral Roberts bullpen was very effective for the second day in a row, working four hitless innings. In the series, ORU relievers worked nine innings of one-hit ball, recording nine strikeouts vs. two walks. Purdue was retired in order three times Saturday and sent only three men to the plate in two others innings.
For the series, the Boilermakers issued 11 walks while only drawing four in their trips to the plate.
Nick Evarts took away a game-opening single from Oral Roberts leadoff man Blake Hall with an impressive diving stop at third base. It turned out to be a key play because three of the next four ORU batters hit safely. Spencer Henson's hit-and-run RBI double was the key hit of the frame. Henson also scored twice on the day, including the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.
Sage was the only Purdue player to hit safely in all three games of the series, finishing the weekend 4-for-12 with no strikeouts.
The Boilermakers' 1-9 start is their poorest since the 2014 team opened the season 1-14. Both teams played equally challenging pre-conference schedules.
Up next for Purdue is a three-game series vs. Creighton. It was originally scheduled to be played at TD Ameritrade Park, the home of the College World Series as well as the 2019 Big Ten Tournament. However, CU has already determined the series needs to be relocated due to a late-February snow storm to hit Nebraska. The new site will be announced early next week.