Box Score: PDF / XML /// Series Stats
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Purdue baseball scored in more innings but No. 25 Illinois tallied multiple runs in all three innings in which it scored, defeating the Boilermakers 6-4 Sunday.
The Boilermakers (19-31, 7-13 B1G) held the lead in the sixth inning or later of all three games this weekend, but suffered their fourth series sweep of the season. All four have come on the road as part of a 5-23 mark in true road games.
Purdue remains alive in the Big Ten Tournament chase, but will need to sweep Ohio State (9-12 B1G) at home next weekend to have a chance to qualify for the eight-team field for the third year in a row.
The Boilermakers did not strike out at the plate Sunday, marking the first time they accomplished that feat since an April 2012 win at Nebraska.
Jeff Korte's RBI triple into the right field corner broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the sixth. The Fighting Illini (34-16, 13-8 B1G) had a run-scoring extra-base hit in all three innings in which they scored.
Purdue had 14 batters reached base safely over the first four innings, but could only score three runs during that stretch. Four base runners were erased on non-force outs over the first three frames. The Boilermakers had a runner cut down at the plate trying to score on a pitch that skipped away from the catcher, a runner picked off at first base, a runner cut down at second trying to advance on a pitch in the dirt, and a base stealer thrown out at second base. Those plays accounted for four of the eight outs Illinois starter Cyrillo Watson was credited with over 2 2/3 innings.
In the series, the Illini bullpen worked 14 1/3 innings of three-run ball, limited the Boilermakers to a .188 batting average.
McKenzie extended his reached base safely streak to 18 consecutive games, matching his longest streak of the season. He hit safely in all three games of a series for the third time in the last four weekends.
Zac Fascia doubled for the third game in a row, with his two-out RBI double extending his hit streak to 14 consecutive games. That matches Skyler Hunter for the longest hit streak by a Boilermaker since 2011. Fascia also threw out Big Ten stolen base leader Zac Taylor for his league-leading 18th caught stealing of the season.
Cory Brooks retired five of the eight batters he faced over two scoreless innings in his first career Big Ten start. He was making his third appearance in the last eight days, and thus it was scheduled to be a short outing as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery in May 2018. The right-hander has pitched 11 consecutive scoreless innings to begin his college career.
Dating back to 2012, five of the last six Illinois-Purdue series have ended in a sweep in favor of the home team. The Fighting Illini have won 12 of their last 15 Big Ten games since opening league play 1-5.
Purdue closes out the regular season with four home games this coming week, beginning Tuesday vs. Xavier. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. ET and the game will be televised live by the Big Ten Network.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Purdue baseball scored in more innings but No. 25 Illinois tallied multiple runs in all three innings in which it scored, defeating the Boilermakers 6-4 Sunday.
The Boilermakers (19-31, 7-13 B1G) held the lead in the sixth inning or later of all three games this weekend, but suffered their fourth series sweep of the season. All four have come on the road as part of a 5-23 mark in true road games.
Purdue remains alive in the Big Ten Tournament chase, but will need to sweep Ohio State (9-12 B1G) at home next weekend to have a chance to qualify for the eight-team field for the third year in a row.
The Boilermakers did not strike out at the plate Sunday, marking the first time they accomplished that feat since an April 2012 win at Nebraska.
Jeff Korte's RBI triple into the right field corner broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the sixth. The Fighting Illini (34-16, 13-8 B1G) had a run-scoring extra-base hit in all three innings in which they scored.
Purdue had 14 batters reached base safely over the first four innings, but could only score three runs during that stretch. Four base runners were erased on non-force outs over the first three frames. The Boilermakers had a runner cut down at the plate trying to score on a pitch that skipped away from the catcher, a runner picked off at first base, a runner cut down at second trying to advance on a pitch in the dirt, and a base stealer thrown out at second base. Those plays accounted for four of the eight outs Illinois starter Cyrillo Watson was credited with over 2 2/3 innings.
In the series, the Illini bullpen worked 14 1/3 innings of three-run ball, limited the Boilermakers to a .188 batting average.
Cole McKenzie (2-for-3, BB, HBP), Nick Evarts (1-for-2, 2 BB, HBP), Bryce Bonner (2-for-4, HBP) and Milo Beam (2-for-3, BB) all reached base safely at least three times. Beam reached base safely in six of his nine plate appearances in the series while hitting safely in all three games. He walked and singled to begin innings Sunday, scoring the go-ahead run in the fourth and the tying run in the sixth.Coach Waz recaps the ups & downs of a competitive but ultimately unproductive series at Illinois. #Purdue held the lead in all 3 games, but couldn't finish off a win in Champaign. #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/flTvUBOxap
— Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) May 13, 2019
McKenzie extended his reached base safely streak to 18 consecutive games, matching his longest streak of the season. He hit safely in all three games of a series for the third time in the last four weekends.
Zac Fascia doubled for the third game in a row, with his two-out RBI double extending his hit streak to 14 consecutive games. That matches Skyler Hunter for the longest hit streak by a Boilermaker since 2011. Fascia also threw out Big Ten stolen base leader Zac Taylor for his league-leading 18th caught stealing of the season.
Cory Brooks retired five of the eight batters he faced over two scoreless innings in his first career Big Ten start. He was making his third appearance in the last eight days, and thus it was scheduled to be a short outing as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery in May 2018. The right-hander has pitched 11 consecutive scoreless innings to begin his college career.
Dating back to 2012, five of the last six Illinois-Purdue series have ended in a sweep in favor of the home team. The Fighting Illini have won 12 of their last 15 Big Ten games since opening league play 1-5.
Purdue closes out the regular season with four home games this coming week, beginning Tuesday vs. Xavier. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. ET and the game will be televised live by the Big Ten Network.
Thanks for making the trip to Champaign on Mother's Day! #BoilerUp #HappyMothersDay pic.twitter.com/fYLbh1c3Hm
— Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) May 12, 2019