Box Score: PDF / XML /// Highlights
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – All nine Boilermakers in the starting lineup recorded a hit, but No. 25 Illinois scored the final three runs in the back and forth affair, defeating Purdue baseball 5-4 Saturday.
Skyler Hunter's two-out single in the first inning was the 200th hit of his college career, making him just the sixth Boilermaker to reach the milestone as a junior. Hunter scored from first base moments later on Zac Fascia's double into the left field corner. Fascia extended his hit streak to 13 consecutive games.
Patrick J. Smith led the way with seven strikeouts over five-plus innings as Purdue (19-30, 7-12 B1G) recorded 10 Ks. With 438 strikeouts this season, the Boilermakers eclipsed a program record that had stood since 2010. Purdue has 22 Ks over 19 2/3 innings in the series and 10-plus strikeouts in a game 22 times this year.
The Boilermakers sent nine men to the plate in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a pair of errors to score three times. The rally gave Purdue a 4-2 lead. Ryan Howe's two-out infield single plated the go-ahead run. He has hit safely in 10 consecutive Big Ten games.
Ben Nisle reached on an infield single to ignite the rally. He was the starting designated hitter Saturday, making his first start since the March 12 home opener.
Errors helped Illinois (33-16, 12-8 B1G) score the game-tying and go-ahead runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Doubles from Grant Van Scoy, Michael Michalak and Jack Yalowitz also fueled the three-run comeback. There were a combined five errors and 22 runners left on the base in the game.
The Boilermakers recorded eight hits over 5 2/3 innings against Illinois starter Ty Weber, but managed just one hit over 3 1/3 innings against the four relievers out of the Illini bullpen. That quartet teamed up to retire 10 of 13 batters faced. Purdue had the tying run at second base with two outs in the seventh and eighth innings, but was unable to come up with a clutch hit.
Hunter threw out a runner at the plate from center field on a fly out in the second inning. It was his seventh career outfield assist.
Smith struck out a pair of batters in three consecutive innings. His strikeouts of fellow seniors Zac Taylor and Yalowitz helped minimize the damage in the fifth inning after the Illini loaded the bases with no outs.
Purdue dropped to 4-8 in one-run games this season.
Sunday's series finale is set for 5 p.m. ET and will be televised live by the Big Ten Network. Cory Brooks is slated to start on the mound, making his first career start in Big Ten play.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – All nine Boilermakers in the starting lineup recorded a hit, but No. 25 Illinois scored the final three runs in the back and forth affair, defeating Purdue baseball 5-4 Saturday.
Skyler Hunter's two-out single in the first inning was the 200th hit of his college career, making him just the sixth Boilermaker to reach the milestone as a junior. Hunter scored from first base moments later on Zac Fascia's double into the left field corner. Fascia extended his hit streak to 13 consecutive games.
Patrick J. Smith led the way with seven strikeouts over five-plus innings as Purdue (19-30, 7-12 B1G) recorded 10 Ks. With 438 strikeouts this season, the Boilermakers eclipsed a program record that had stood since 2010. Purdue has 22 Ks over 19 2/3 innings in the series and 10-plus strikeouts in a game 22 times this year.
The Boilermakers sent nine men to the plate in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a pair of errors to score three times. The rally gave Purdue a 4-2 lead. Ryan Howe's two-out infield single plated the go-ahead run. He has hit safely in 10 consecutive Big Ten games.
Ben Nisle reached on an infield single to ignite the rally. He was the starting designated hitter Saturday, making his first start since the March 12 home opener.
Errors helped Illinois (33-16, 12-8 B1G) score the game-tying and go-ahead runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Doubles from Grant Van Scoy, Michael Michalak and Jack Yalowitz also fueled the three-run comeback. There were a combined five errors and 22 runners left on the base in the game.
The Boilermakers recorded eight hits over 5 2/3 innings against Illinois starter Ty Weber, but managed just one hit over 3 1/3 innings against the four relievers out of the Illini bullpen. That quartet teamed up to retire 10 of 13 batters faced. Purdue had the tying run at second base with two outs in the seventh and eighth innings, but was unable to come up with a clutch hit.
Hunter threw out a runner at the plate from center field on a fly out in the second inning. It was his seventh career outfield assist.
Smith struck out a pair of batters in three consecutive innings. His strikeouts of fellow seniors Zac Taylor and Yalowitz helped minimize the damage in the fifth inning after the Illini loaded the bases with no outs.
Purdue dropped to 4-8 in one-run games this season.
Sunday's series finale is set for 5 p.m. ET and will be televised live by the Big Ten Network. Cory Brooks is slated to start on the mound, making his first career start in Big Ten play.
.@HunterSky1 joined our 200-hit club Saturday as just the 6th #Boilermaker to reach the milestone as a junior.
— Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) May 12, 2019
2?0?0? Career Hits as Juniors
Daryl Hallada, 1997-00
Mitch Hilligoss, 2004-06
Ryne White, 2006-08
Cam Perkins, 2010-12
Kevin Plawecki, 2010-12
Skyler Hunter 2017-Pr pic.twitter.com/o1G4luQ3y1