WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – An inning-opening error in the top of the second provided Illinois an additional out to work with and the Fighting Illini capitalized for a four-run frame, riding the extended rally to a 12-4 victory vs. Purdue baseball Saturday at Alexander Field.
Illinois (12-14) has won the first two games of the weekend series to even the five-game season series at 2-2, setting up a different kind of rubber game Sunday.
The Boilermakers (10-17) did not record their first hit until Mike Bolton Jr. led off the bottom of the sixth with a drag bunt up the first base line. It led to a three-run rally as Purdue got back into the game at 5-3. Jake Parr delivered the big hit, a two-run single as a pinch hitter. But four of the Boilermakers' seven hits on the day came in that frame.
Trent Johnson (2-3) was unable to pitch over the defensive miscue at third base to open the second inning. Shortstop Evan Albrecht cut down a runner at the plate for the second out on a chopper over the mound, but the top of the Illinois lineup delivered three run-scoring singles with two outs.
Purdue pitchers issued 11 walks on the day, registering a double-figure total for the third time this season. Five of those runners came around to score and a leadoff hit by pitch in the top of the seventh also led to a run.
Meanwhile, the opposition finally turned the tables on the Boilermakers' ninth inning magic. After Purdue had scored 18 ninth inning runs over their last five games, including 11 against the Illini, the visitors put up a six-spot in the top of the ninth Saturday.
Ryan Howe opened the scoring for the Boilermakers with an RBI single in the sixth inning. Ben Nisle delivered an RBI single the following frame to extend his reached base safely streak to 16 consecutive games, matching the longest run of his career. He has also hit safely in seven straight. Miles Simington reached base safely three times (2 HBP, walk) and is also riding a career-long 16-game reached safely streak.
Landon Weins did not surrender a hit over 3 1/3 innings, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning. Excluding an intentional walk of the Illini's No. 3 hitter, whom he did not actually throw a pitch to, Weins retired the first nine batters he faced. Nolan Daniel also escaped a bases-loaded jam by inducing an inning-ending 6-3 double play in the top of the eighth.
Nathan Lavender improved to 5-0 on the season for Illinois after carrying the no-hit bid into the sixth inning. He struck out six, including four of the first 11 batters he faced. Ty Rybarczyk closed out the win with 2 1/3 innings of one-hit relief.
Bolton is riding a six-game hit streak. He also walked and doubled Saturday. He's been on base at least twice in each of the last five games he has started dating back to April 17.
Sunday's series finale is slated for 1 p.m. ET.
Illinois (12-14) has won the first two games of the weekend series to even the five-game season series at 2-2, setting up a different kind of rubber game Sunday.
The Boilermakers (10-17) did not record their first hit until Mike Bolton Jr. led off the bottom of the sixth with a drag bunt up the first base line. It led to a three-run rally as Purdue got back into the game at 5-3. Jake Parr delivered the big hit, a two-run single as a pinch hitter. But four of the Boilermakers' seven hits on the day came in that frame.
Trent Johnson (2-3) was unable to pitch over the defensive miscue at third base to open the second inning. Shortstop Evan Albrecht cut down a runner at the plate for the second out on a chopper over the mound, but the top of the Illinois lineup delivered three run-scoring singles with two outs.
Purdue pitchers issued 11 walks on the day, registering a double-figure total for the third time this season. Five of those runners came around to score and a leadoff hit by pitch in the top of the seventh also led to a run.
Meanwhile, the opposition finally turned the tables on the Boilermakers' ninth inning magic. After Purdue had scored 18 ninth inning runs over their last five games, including 11 against the Illini, the visitors put up a six-spot in the top of the ninth Saturday.
Ryan Howe opened the scoring for the Boilermakers with an RBI single in the sixth inning. Ben Nisle delivered an RBI single the following frame to extend his reached base safely streak to 16 consecutive games, matching the longest run of his career. He has also hit safely in seven straight. Miles Simington reached base safely three times (2 HBP, walk) and is also riding a career-long 16-game reached safely streak.
Landon Weins did not surrender a hit over 3 1/3 innings, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning. Excluding an intentional walk of the Illini's No. 3 hitter, whom he did not actually throw a pitch to, Weins retired the first nine batters he faced. Nolan Daniel also escaped a bases-loaded jam by inducing an inning-ending 6-3 double play in the top of the eighth.
Nathan Lavender improved to 5-0 on the season for Illinois after carrying the no-hit bid into the sixth inning. He struck out six, including four of the first 11 batters he faced. Ty Rybarczyk closed out the win with 2 1/3 innings of one-hit relief.
Bolton is riding a six-game hit streak. He also walked and doubled Saturday. He's been on base at least twice in each of the last five games he has started dating back to April 17.
Sunday's series finale is slated for 1 p.m. ET.
#4faves from the @PurdueBaseball game against Illinois today. pic.twitter.com/ZgMivkSOec
— Dave Wegiel Photo (Taylor's Version) (@pinolaphoto) April 24, 2021