COLUMBUS, Ohio – Five Purdue pitchers issued a combined 13 walks, with seven of those runners coming around to score in an 11-3 series-opening loss at Ohio State on Friday.
The Buckeyes (16-13) scored in each of the first six innings, racing out to a 6-0 lead and blowing the game open with a four-run rally in the bottom of the sixth.
The Boilermakers (10-19) were dragged down by a double-figure walk total for the fourth time this season. The 13 walks represent the program's third most in a game since 2001. However, they also walked a season-high 14 vs. Nebraska in game No. 3 this season.
Purdue pitchers worked almost the entire game from the stretch. Ohio State's leadoff man reached base safely in seven of the eight innings in which the home team batted, all but the bottom of the second. That runner came around to score in the first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
With the bases loaded in the sixth inning, Jack Firestone delivered a two-out, two-run single up the middle as a pinch hitter. Firestone earned his first collegiate RBIs on the swing. The big hit provided the Boilermakers with some life, cutting OSU's lead to 7-3. But Purdue recorded just one more hit the rest of the night, a two-out double from Ben Nisle.
Skyler Hunter's two-out RBI single in the fifth inning doubled as his 246th career hit, moving the five-year starter into fourth place in program history. He matched the total of Rico Rossy (1982-85), who was Purdue's record holder until 2000.
Miles Simington singled and walked, extending his reached base safely streak to 18 consecutive games. Mike Bolton Jr. also singled and walked, stealing second and third base in the first inning. He has reached base safely at least twice in each of his last seven starts and is now 9-for-9 on stolen bases this season.
Purdue starter Calvin Schapira was not sharp early for really the first time as a Boilermaker. The Buckeyes loaded the bases without the luxury of a hit to begin their day at the plate, leading to a two-run single. The following frame, Schapira retired the first two batters, but a base hit by the nine-hole hitter was the first of three straight singles as OSU extended its lead. Schapira departed after issuing a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fourth. It was his shortest outing since the season-opening weekend.
James Kulak struck out OSU's No. 2 and 4 hitters to escape a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning in his first appearance since April 4. Ohio native Joseph Whitman was able to post a zero in the bottom of the eighth as Purdue's final pitcher of the night.
Game 2 of the series is slated for Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.
The Buckeyes (16-13) scored in each of the first six innings, racing out to a 6-0 lead and blowing the game open with a four-run rally in the bottom of the sixth.
The Boilermakers (10-19) were dragged down by a double-figure walk total for the fourth time this season. The 13 walks represent the program's third most in a game since 2001. However, they also walked a season-high 14 vs. Nebraska in game No. 3 this season.
Purdue pitchers worked almost the entire game from the stretch. Ohio State's leadoff man reached base safely in seven of the eight innings in which the home team batted, all but the bottom of the second. That runner came around to score in the first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
With the bases loaded in the sixth inning, Jack Firestone delivered a two-out, two-run single up the middle as a pinch hitter. Firestone earned his first collegiate RBIs on the swing. The big hit provided the Boilermakers with some life, cutting OSU's lead to 7-3. But Purdue recorded just one more hit the rest of the night, a two-out double from Ben Nisle.
Skyler Hunter's two-out RBI single in the fifth inning doubled as his 246th career hit, moving the five-year starter into fourth place in program history. He matched the total of Rico Rossy (1982-85), who was Purdue's record holder until 2000.
Miles Simington singled and walked, extending his reached base safely streak to 18 consecutive games. Mike Bolton Jr. also singled and walked, stealing second and third base in the first inning. He has reached base safely at least twice in each of his last seven starts and is now 9-for-9 on stolen bases this season.
Purdue starter Calvin Schapira was not sharp early for really the first time as a Boilermaker. The Buckeyes loaded the bases without the luxury of a hit to begin their day at the plate, leading to a two-run single. The following frame, Schapira retired the first two batters, but a base hit by the nine-hole hitter was the first of three straight singles as OSU extended its lead. Schapira departed after issuing a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fourth. It was his shortest outing since the season-opening weekend.
James Kulak struck out OSU's No. 2 and 4 hitters to escape a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning in his first appearance since April 4. Ohio native Joseph Whitman was able to post a zero in the bottom of the eighth as Purdue's final pitcher of the night.
Game 2 of the series is slated for Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.