MINNEAPOLIS – Jake Parr connected for a grand slam and Calvin Schapira worked seven innings of three-run ball for his sixth quality start of the season, propelling Purdue baseball to a 9-3 series-opening win at Minnesota on Thursday.
The Boilermakers (12-24) overcame an early 2-0 deficit by scoring nine straight runs through the top of the eighth.
Ryan Howe reached base safely five times via four singles and a walk. He posted his first career four-hit game while joining Skyler Hunter and Tyler Powers as Purdue players with a four-hit game this season.
Parr accounted for the Boilermakers' third grand slam of the season, blowing the game open in the fifth inning with a towering blast to left center field. The sophomore joined Cam Thompson and Jeremy Schork as Purdue players to hit slams this year. All three Boilermakers simultaneously hit their first collegiate home runs.
Purdue has hit three grand slams in a season for the first time since 2016 and had three different players hit a slam for the first time since 2008.
Schapira (1-6) struck out five and issued only one walk over his seven-plus innings to earn his first victory as a Boilermaker. He pitched into the eighth for the second time this season and surrendered only five hits.
Purdue played one of its top defensive games of the season to back up Schapira's strong outing. Justin Walker Jr. impressed with his range up the middle for an inning-ending out in Schapira's only rocky frame. The shortstop later teamed up with Parr for an inning-ending 3-6-3 double play in the bottom of the fourth.
Hunter made the top defensive play of the night, a diving catch in right center field to take away an RBI double in the sixth inning.
Kyle Wade worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out the victory. Schapira also worked 1-2-3 frames in the second and fifth. After giving up a solo homer to the Gophers' top hitter – Zack Rabbe – in the first inning, the lefty faced only 15 batters through the end of the fifth.
Ben Nisle doubled in the eighth inning, extending his hit streak to eight consecutive games. It was his eighth extra-base hit of the streak and his team-leading 21st XBH of the season in just 36 games. Hunter scored from first base on the one-out double.
Mike Bolton Jr. reached base safely twice for the 11th time in his last 13 starts. On his way to scoring twice, he stole second base in the fifth and sixth innings to remain perfect at 14-for-14 on steals for the season.
Singles by Parr and Howe helped Purdue load the bases in second inning, leading to a three-run rally. Evan Albrecht executed a squeeze bunt after an error allowed the first two runs of the frame to score. Albrecht also doubled to open the eighth inning.
Game 2 of the series is slated for Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
The Boilermakers (12-24) overcame an early 2-0 deficit by scoring nine straight runs through the top of the eighth.
Ryan Howe reached base safely five times via four singles and a walk. He posted his first career four-hit game while joining Skyler Hunter and Tyler Powers as Purdue players with a four-hit game this season.
Parr accounted for the Boilermakers' third grand slam of the season, blowing the game open in the fifth inning with a towering blast to left center field. The sophomore joined Cam Thompson and Jeremy Schork as Purdue players to hit slams this year. All three Boilermakers simultaneously hit their first collegiate home runs.
Purdue has hit three grand slams in a season for the first time since 2016 and had three different players hit a slam for the first time since 2008.
Schapira (1-6) struck out five and issued only one walk over his seven-plus innings to earn his first victory as a Boilermaker. He pitched into the eighth for the second time this season and surrendered only five hits.
Purdue played one of its top defensive games of the season to back up Schapira's strong outing. Justin Walker Jr. impressed with his range up the middle for an inning-ending out in Schapira's only rocky frame. The shortstop later teamed up with Parr for an inning-ending 3-6-3 double play in the bottom of the fourth.
Hunter made the top defensive play of the night, a diving catch in right center field to take away an RBI double in the sixth inning.
Kyle Wade worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out the victory. Schapira also worked 1-2-3 frames in the second and fifth. After giving up a solo homer to the Gophers' top hitter – Zack Rabbe – in the first inning, the lefty faced only 15 batters through the end of the fifth.
Ben Nisle doubled in the eighth inning, extending his hit streak to eight consecutive games. It was his eighth extra-base hit of the streak and his team-leading 21st XBH of the season in just 36 games. Hunter scored from first base on the one-out double.
Mike Bolton Jr. reached base safely twice for the 11th time in his last 13 starts. On his way to scoring twice, he stole second base in the fifth and sixth innings to remain perfect at 14-for-14 on steals for the season.
Singles by Parr and Howe helped Purdue load the bases in second inning, leading to a three-run rally. Evan Albrecht executed a squeeze bunt after an error allowed the first two runs of the frame to score. Albrecht also doubled to open the eighth inning.
Game 2 of the series is slated for Friday at 7 p.m. ET.