WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Ohio State scored all five of its runs on a pair of timely two-out hits while Purdue baseball stranded 11 runners on base, a dichotomy in clutch hitting that proved to be the difference in the Buckeyes' 5-1 victory Tuesday at Alexander Field.
The Boilermakers (11-21) used eight pitchers in the midweek make-good date, which was added to the schedules late last week after COVID-19 positives for scheduled opponents led to canceled weekend series. Purdue had 12 strikeouts and five 1-2-3 innings, but offensively went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Nick Erwin delivered a three-run triple with two outs in the second inning. Conner Pohl later came through with a two-out, two-run single in the top of the seventh. Pohl's single in the sixth inning marked the only other frame in which the Boilermakers surrendered a hit.
Meanwhile, Purdue had a base runner in eight of the nine innings. But along with the 11 men left on base, the Boilermakers also had two runners picked off. Ohio State (18-14) used three of its top pitchers – Friday starter Garrett Burhenn (6 IP), Sunday starter (2 IP) and closer TJ Brock (hitless 9th).
Erwin's triple out of the nine-hole in the OSU lineup was the key hit of the game. The Buckeyes loaded the bases with no outs via a leadoff walk and consecutive singles, including a sac bunt that went for a hit. Cory Brooks came back with consecutive strikeouts to give himself a chance to escape the jam, but Erwin hit a 2-2 pitch over the head of right fielder Miles Simington.
The Boilermakers finally broke through with a run in the bottom of the sixth when Cam Thompson scored from first base on a single through the right side from Justin Walker Jr. Thompson went first to third on the hit and then scampered home when OSU tried to cut down Walker taking second on the back side of the play. Erwin's throw popped out of the glove of shortstop Zach Dezenzo.
The 11 runners left on base matched Purdue's season-high in a loss. The Boilermakers also stranded 11 in an April 4 rubber game loss to Iowa.
Brooks (1st and 3rd), Jackson Smeltz (4th), Nolan Daniel (8th) and Avery Cook (9th) all worked 1-2-3 innings for Purdue. Landon Weins escaped a jam in the sixth inning when he struck out OSU's No. 7 and 8 hitters to strand runners on second and third.
Mike Bolton Jr. was hit by a pitch twice and also drew a ninth-inning walk, raising his on-base percentage to .476. He has reached base safely at least twice in each of the last nine games he has started dating back to April 17. The speedy outfielder also stole his 11th base of the season Tuesday, remaining perfect at 11-for-11.
Simington singled and walked twice to extend his team-long reached base safely streak to 21 consecutive games. Thompson and Walker both singled and walked Tuesday.
Purdue's 12 strikeouts were its most since racking up 13 in an April 11 win vs. Penn State. The Boilermakers have reached double figures 12 times this season.
Purdue returns to action Friday when it opens a three-game series at Maryland. First pitch in College Park is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.
The Boilermakers (11-21) used eight pitchers in the midweek make-good date, which was added to the schedules late last week after COVID-19 positives for scheduled opponents led to canceled weekend series. Purdue had 12 strikeouts and five 1-2-3 innings, but offensively went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Nick Erwin delivered a three-run triple with two outs in the second inning. Conner Pohl later came through with a two-out, two-run single in the top of the seventh. Pohl's single in the sixth inning marked the only other frame in which the Boilermakers surrendered a hit.
Meanwhile, Purdue had a base runner in eight of the nine innings. But along with the 11 men left on base, the Boilermakers also had two runners picked off. Ohio State (18-14) used three of its top pitchers – Friday starter Garrett Burhenn (6 IP), Sunday starter (2 IP) and closer TJ Brock (hitless 9th).
Erwin's triple out of the nine-hole in the OSU lineup was the key hit of the game. The Buckeyes loaded the bases with no outs via a leadoff walk and consecutive singles, including a sac bunt that went for a hit. Cory Brooks came back with consecutive strikeouts to give himself a chance to escape the jam, but Erwin hit a 2-2 pitch over the head of right fielder Miles Simington.
The Boilermakers finally broke through with a run in the bottom of the sixth when Cam Thompson scored from first base on a single through the right side from Justin Walker Jr. Thompson went first to third on the hit and then scampered home when OSU tried to cut down Walker taking second on the back side of the play. Erwin's throw popped out of the glove of shortstop Zach Dezenzo.
The 11 runners left on base matched Purdue's season-high in a loss. The Boilermakers also stranded 11 in an April 4 rubber game loss to Iowa.
Brooks (1st and 3rd), Jackson Smeltz (4th), Nolan Daniel (8th) and Avery Cook (9th) all worked 1-2-3 innings for Purdue. Landon Weins escaped a jam in the sixth inning when he struck out OSU's No. 7 and 8 hitters to strand runners on second and third.
Mike Bolton Jr. was hit by a pitch twice and also drew a ninth-inning walk, raising his on-base percentage to .476. He has reached base safely at least twice in each of the last nine games he has started dating back to April 17. The speedy outfielder also stole his 11th base of the season Tuesday, remaining perfect at 11-for-11.
Simington singled and walked twice to extend his team-long reached base safely streak to 21 consecutive games. Thompson and Walker both singled and walked Tuesday.
Purdue's 12 strikeouts were its most since racking up 13 in an April 11 win vs. Penn State. The Boilermakers have reached double figures 12 times this season.
Purdue returns to action Friday when it opens a three-game series at Maryland. First pitch in College Park is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.
#4faves from some midweek action for @PurdueBaseball tonight. pic.twitter.com/I2QJ3YgJw2
— Dave Wegiel Photo (Taylor's Version) (@pinolaphoto) May 11, 2021