GAMEDAY INFORMATION: 3-TEAM POD
Purdue (14-25) hosts Penn State (17-23) and Minnesota (5-29)
Thursday, May 27 to Sunday, May 30 / BTN & BTN+
Purdue vs. Penn State: Thursday at 4 p.m. & Friday at 2 p.m.
Purdue vs. Minnesota: Saturday at 6 p.m. & Sunday at 4 p.m.
Penn State vs. Minnesota: Friday at 6 p.m. & Saturday at 2 p.m.
LIVE VIDEO COVERAGE
Thursday: BTN & Fox Sports App
Friday: BTN+ & BTN+ App
Saturday: BTN+ & BTN+ App
Sunday: BTN & Fox Sports App
PURDUE'S PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
Thursday: Calvin Schapira (Jr, LHP) vs. PSU's Bailey Dees (Jr, RHP)
Friday: Trent Johnson (Sr, RHP) vs. PSU's Conor Larkin (Jr, RHP)
Saturday: Cory Brooks (R-Jr, RHP) vs. MINN's Jack Liffrig (R-So, LHP)
Sunday: TBA for Purdue vs. MINN's Tom Skoro (R-Sr, LHP)
SERIES HISTORY
Purdue vs. Penn State
All-Time: Purdue leads 51-33
All-Time in West Lafayette: Purdue leads 27-14
Current Series Streak in West Lafayette: Purdue has won 5 straight (Since 2014)
First Meetings of 2021: Split 2 games in East Lansing (April 10-11)
Last Series in West Lafayette: Purdue swept a 2-game set (March 2019)
First Meeting: Purdue 4, Penn State 2 (March 1983 in Lakeland, Florida)
Purdue vs. Minnesota
All-Time: Minnesota leads 117-57-2
All-Time in West Lafayette: Minnesota leads 43-28-2
Current Series Streak in West Lafayette: Minnesota has won 7 straight (Since 2010)
Last Weekend in Minneapolis: Purdue won 3 of 4
Last Series in West Lafayette: Minnesota swept a 2-game set (April 2018)
Purdue's Last Series Win in West Lafayette: Purdue swept 4-game set (April 2008)
First Meeting: Minnesota 14, Purdue 9 (April 1901 in West Lafayette)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue baseball closes out its campaign with its first-ever four-game weekend at Alexander Field, hosting Penn State and Minnesota for the Big Ten's final three-team pod of the unique 2021 season.
Thursday's weekend opener vs. Penn State has been moved up to a 4 p.m. ET first pitch. Sunday's weekend finale vs, Minnesota is also set for 4 p.m. Both games will be televised live on Big Ten Network. As of Wednesday afternoon, tickets remain available for all four days of the pod. Penn State will play a doubleheader Friday and Minnesota takes the field twice Saturday. Action begins at 2 p.m. both days.
The Boilermakers have two special events planned. University provost Jay Akridge will be on hand Thursday at 3:30 p.m. to award diplomas to the program's seven spring graduates – Zac Fascia, Skyler Hunter, Kyle LaPlante, Trent Johnson and Tyler Powers as well as team managers Drew DelaCuesta and Paul Holaway. The team was in Maryland during commencement Saturday on campus two weeks ago.
Sunday's annual Senior Day ceremony is slated for 3:40 p.m., with 12 seniors recognized for their contributions to Purdue baseball. Along with four members of the support staff, eight players will be honored as they close out their Purdue careers this weekend – Cory Brooks, Mason Gavre, Ben Nisle, Miles Simington, Fascia, Hunter, LaPlante and Johnson. Powers plans to return next season to utilize his final season of eligibility.
Hunter is an unprecedented five-year starter in center field. He has been a constant in the lineup since Opening Day of the 2017 campaign. He has started 216 of the Boilermakers' 222 games over the last five seasons. The switch-hitter enters the weekend with 260 career hits, most among active players in the Big Ten, and will make a run at third place (266) on the program's all-time list this weekend.
Brooks, Johnson and Nisle all came aboard in the fall of 2017. They teamed with Hunter to help lead Purdue to 38 wins and an NCAA Regional appearance during the memorable 2018 campaign. Johnson and Nisle both represented the Boilermakers on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and Hunter was on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team that year as Purdue qualified for the championship game for the fourth time in program history.
Johnson is one of just two pitchers this century to pitch on Opening Day four years in a row and is the program's all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings (9.46, minimum 125 innings). Nisle is a four-year starter in left field and has been a constant in the heart of the lineup dating back to Purdue's 21-2 run during the second half of his freshman campaign.
Johnson and Brooks are slated to start in their final outings, taking the ball Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Fascia is the Boilermakers' first full-time catcher to be a three-year starter since current big leaguer Kevin Plawecki (2010-12). Fellow transfers Gavre, LaPlante and Simington all joined the program in the fall of 2019. They were Opening Day starters in each of their two seasons. LaPlante earned his degree from Purdue in just two years. Simington has enjoyed a dynamic senior season in right field, leading the team in hits, RBI and batting average. During the home-opening weekend, Gavre hit the program's first walk-off home run since 2006.
Going into last weekend's action, the Boilermakers remained the only team to sweep one of the Big Ten's three-team pods this year, accomplishing the feat the weekend of April 17 to 19 in Champaign (vs. Michigan State and Illinois). Nebraska has joined the list, winning all four of its games vs. Indiana and Ohio State in Bloomington and clinching the league title Sunday in the process. Coincidentally, the Huskers have now won the Big Ten title twice since joining the league during the 2011-12 school year. Purdue has been playing in Minneapolis both times Nebraska clinched. Back in 2017, it was the Boilermakers' series win at Minnesota that same weekend that allowed the Huskers to take the title.
Minnesota and Penn State actually played a three-game series against each other at Alexander Field in April 2018. The Gophers swept the three-game set, which was moved from Minneapolis due to snow. Minnesota is 8-0 all-time at Alexander, sweeping series against Purdue in 2016 and 2018 en route to winning the Big Ten regular-season title.
Purdue's last four-game home weekend doubled as the program's last series win against Minnesota in West Lafayette. The Boilermakers swept the four-game set at Lambert Field in April 2008, the final season in which Big Ten weekends were four-game series. Purdue hosted Michigan State the following month but rained shortened the series to a three-game set.
BOILERMAKERS ALL OVER THE BASES IN MINNEAPOLIS
• Purdue posted a remarkable .474 team on-base percentage in the Minnesota series, racking up 39 free passes (30 walks, 9 HBP) to go along with 51 hits. It was a big reason why the Boilermakers scored 46 runs, their most in a four-game series since a March 2008 sweep of Western Illinois (47) at Lambert Field.
• Six Purdue players with a minimum 10 plate appearances had an OBP of .500+ – Tyler Powers (.909), Ryan Howe (.714), Ben Nisle (.600), Mike Bolton Jr. (.526), Miles Simington (.524) and Evan Albrecht (.500). Powers and Howe joined Cam Thompson (vs Iowa) as Boilermakers with a .700+ OBP in a series this season. They also accomplished the feat for the second time in their careers, joining Bryce Bonner as the only Boilermakers to do it twice since 2016.
Purdue (14-25) hosts Penn State (17-23) and Minnesota (5-29)
Thursday, May 27 to Sunday, May 30 / BTN & BTN+
Purdue vs. Penn State: Thursday at 4 p.m. & Friday at 2 p.m.
Purdue vs. Minnesota: Saturday at 6 p.m. & Sunday at 4 p.m.
Penn State vs. Minnesota: Friday at 6 p.m. & Saturday at 2 p.m.
LIVE VIDEO COVERAGE
Thursday: BTN & Fox Sports App
Friday: BTN+ & BTN+ App
Saturday: BTN+ & BTN+ App
Sunday: BTN & Fox Sports App
PURDUE'S PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
Thursday: Calvin Schapira (Jr, LHP) vs. PSU's Bailey Dees (Jr, RHP)
Friday: Trent Johnson (Sr, RHP) vs. PSU's Conor Larkin (Jr, RHP)
Saturday: Cory Brooks (R-Jr, RHP) vs. MINN's Jack Liffrig (R-So, LHP)
Sunday: TBA for Purdue vs. MINN's Tom Skoro (R-Sr, LHP)
SERIES HISTORY
Purdue vs. Penn State
All-Time: Purdue leads 51-33
All-Time in West Lafayette: Purdue leads 27-14
Current Series Streak in West Lafayette: Purdue has won 5 straight (Since 2014)
First Meetings of 2021: Split 2 games in East Lansing (April 10-11)
Last Series in West Lafayette: Purdue swept a 2-game set (March 2019)
First Meeting: Purdue 4, Penn State 2 (March 1983 in Lakeland, Florida)
Purdue vs. Minnesota
All-Time: Minnesota leads 117-57-2
All-Time in West Lafayette: Minnesota leads 43-28-2
Current Series Streak in West Lafayette: Minnesota has won 7 straight (Since 2010)
Last Weekend in Minneapolis: Purdue won 3 of 4
Last Series in West Lafayette: Minnesota swept a 2-game set (April 2018)
Purdue's Last Series Win in West Lafayette: Purdue swept 4-game set (April 2008)
First Meeting: Minnesota 14, Purdue 9 (April 1901 in West Lafayette)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue baseball closes out its campaign with its first-ever four-game weekend at Alexander Field, hosting Penn State and Minnesota for the Big Ten's final three-team pod of the unique 2021 season.
Thursday's weekend opener vs. Penn State has been moved up to a 4 p.m. ET first pitch. Sunday's weekend finale vs, Minnesota is also set for 4 p.m. Both games will be televised live on Big Ten Network. As of Wednesday afternoon, tickets remain available for all four days of the pod. Penn State will play a doubleheader Friday and Minnesota takes the field twice Saturday. Action begins at 2 p.m. both days.
The Boilermakers have two special events planned. University provost Jay Akridge will be on hand Thursday at 3:30 p.m. to award diplomas to the program's seven spring graduates – Zac Fascia, Skyler Hunter, Kyle LaPlante, Trent Johnson and Tyler Powers as well as team managers Drew DelaCuesta and Paul Holaway. The team was in Maryland during commencement Saturday on campus two weeks ago.
Sunday's annual Senior Day ceremony is slated for 3:40 p.m., with 12 seniors recognized for their contributions to Purdue baseball. Along with four members of the support staff, eight players will be honored as they close out their Purdue careers this weekend – Cory Brooks, Mason Gavre, Ben Nisle, Miles Simington, Fascia, Hunter, LaPlante and Johnson. Powers plans to return next season to utilize his final season of eligibility.
Hunter is an unprecedented five-year starter in center field. He has been a constant in the lineup since Opening Day of the 2017 campaign. He has started 216 of the Boilermakers' 222 games over the last five seasons. The switch-hitter enters the weekend with 260 career hits, most among active players in the Big Ten, and will make a run at third place (266) on the program's all-time list this weekend.
Brooks, Johnson and Nisle all came aboard in the fall of 2017. They teamed with Hunter to help lead Purdue to 38 wins and an NCAA Regional appearance during the memorable 2018 campaign. Johnson and Nisle both represented the Boilermakers on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and Hunter was on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team that year as Purdue qualified for the championship game for the fourth time in program history.
Johnson is one of just two pitchers this century to pitch on Opening Day four years in a row and is the program's all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings (9.46, minimum 125 innings). Nisle is a four-year starter in left field and has been a constant in the heart of the lineup dating back to Purdue's 21-2 run during the second half of his freshman campaign.
Johnson and Brooks are slated to start in their final outings, taking the ball Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Fascia is the Boilermakers' first full-time catcher to be a three-year starter since current big leaguer Kevin Plawecki (2010-12). Fellow transfers Gavre, LaPlante and Simington all joined the program in the fall of 2019. They were Opening Day starters in each of their two seasons. LaPlante earned his degree from Purdue in just two years. Simington has enjoyed a dynamic senior season in right field, leading the team in hits, RBI and batting average. During the home-opening weekend, Gavre hit the program's first walk-off home run since 2006.
Going into last weekend's action, the Boilermakers remained the only team to sweep one of the Big Ten's three-team pods this year, accomplishing the feat the weekend of April 17 to 19 in Champaign (vs. Michigan State and Illinois). Nebraska has joined the list, winning all four of its games vs. Indiana and Ohio State in Bloomington and clinching the league title Sunday in the process. Coincidentally, the Huskers have now won the Big Ten title twice since joining the league during the 2011-12 school year. Purdue has been playing in Minneapolis both times Nebraska clinched. Back in 2017, it was the Boilermakers' series win at Minnesota that same weekend that allowed the Huskers to take the title.
Minnesota and Penn State actually played a three-game series against each other at Alexander Field in April 2018. The Gophers swept the three-game set, which was moved from Minneapolis due to snow. Minnesota is 8-0 all-time at Alexander, sweeping series against Purdue in 2016 and 2018 en route to winning the Big Ten regular-season title.
Purdue's last four-game home weekend doubled as the program's last series win against Minnesota in West Lafayette. The Boilermakers swept the four-game set at Lambert Field in April 2008, the final season in which Big Ten weekends were four-game series. Purdue hosted Michigan State the following month but rained shortened the series to a three-game set.
BOILERMAKERS ALL OVER THE BASES IN MINNEAPOLIS
• Purdue posted a remarkable .474 team on-base percentage in the Minnesota series, racking up 39 free passes (30 walks, 9 HBP) to go along with 51 hits. It was a big reason why the Boilermakers scored 46 runs, their most in a four-game series since a March 2008 sweep of Western Illinois (47) at Lambert Field.
• Six Purdue players with a minimum 10 plate appearances had an OBP of .500+ – Tyler Powers (.909), Ryan Howe (.714), Ben Nisle (.600), Mike Bolton Jr. (.526), Miles Simington (.524) and Evan Albrecht (.500). Powers and Howe joined Cam Thompson (vs Iowa) as Boilermakers with a .700+ OBP in a series this season. They also accomplished the feat for the second time in their careers, joining Bryce Bonner as the only Boilermakers to do it twice since 2016.
BOILERMAKERS WITH .700 OBP IN A SERIES/WEEKEND Minimum 8 Plate Appearances, Since 2016 |
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Season | Boilermaker | OBP (PA) | Weekend Stats | Opponent/Tourney |
2021 | Tyler Powers | .909 (11) | 5-for-6, 2B, 4 BB, 4 R, Sac Bunt | at Minnesota |
2021 | Ryan Howe | .714 (11) | 6-for-9, 2B, 2 RIB, 4 BB, 3 R, Sac Fly | at Minnesota |
2021 | Cam Thompson | .778 (9) | 5-for-7, 3 2B, 4 RBI, 2 HBP, 3 R | Iowa |
2020 | Bryce Bonner | .750 (8) | 3-for-5, 2B, 4 RBI, 3 HBP, R | vs. Hofstra |
2019 | Ryan Howe | .714 (8) | 5-for-7, Sac Bunt | Penn State |
2018 | Ben Nisle | .714 (14) | 7-for-11, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB, 3 R | at NCAA Regional |
2018 | Tyler Powers | .700 (11) | 4-for-7, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 4 R, Sac Bunt | at Penn State |
2018 | Nick Dalesandro | .714 (14) | 8-for-11, 2 2B, 4 RIB, 2 BB, 3 R, Sac Fly | at Stetson Tourney |
2018 | Jacson McGowan | .714 (14) | 5-for-9, 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 BB, HBP, 6 R | at Stetson Tourney |
2017 | Bryce Bonner | .778 (9) | 4-for-5, 3B, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 2 R, Sac Fly | at Texas State |
2016 | Harry Shipley | .818 (11) | 3-for-5, RBI, 3 BB, 3 HBP, 4 R | at Indiana |
PURDUE'S MOST NINTH INNING RUNS (SINCE 2001) | ||||
Season | Runs in 9th | Games Batted in 9th | Record | Home/Away/Neutral |
2021 | 41 | 35 | 14-25 | 2-8 / 8-9 / 4-8 |
2012 | 39 | 42 | 45-14 | 13-3 / 20-8 / 12-3 |
2009 | 35 | 42 | 25-26 | 9-8 / 12-12 / 4-6 |
2011 | 31 | 43 | 37-20 | 14-4 / 19-13 / 4-3 |
2018 | 30 | 39 | 38-21 | 15-5 / 11-12 / 12-4 |
2017 | 30 | 50 | 29-27 | 10-10 / 18-15 / 1-2 |
PERFECT STOLEN BASE SEASONS (SINCE 2001) Minimum 5 Attempts |
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Season | Boilermaker | Total | Career Steals |
2021 | Mike Bolton Jr. | 17-17 | 18-19 |
2011 | Stephen Talbott | 17-17 | 55-63 |
2014 | Jeff Evak | 11-11 | 15-15 |
2004 | Andy Dahl | 8-8 | 20-23 |
2003 | Ben Fritz | 7-7 | 14-17 |
2016 | Harry Shipley | 7-7 | 51-68 |
2021 | Ben Nisle | 6-6 | 19-23 |
2013 | Sean McHugh | 5-5 | 8-13 |
2010 | Stephen Talbott | 5-5 | 55-63 |
1.000+ OPS SEASONS (SINCE 2001) Minimum 60 At-Bats |
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Season | Boilermaker | OBP | SLUG | OPS | At-Bats |
2009 | Dan Black | .518 | .667 | 1.185 | 174 |
2007 | Ryne White | .521 | .663 | 1.184 | 199 |
2008 | Dan Black | .444 | .675 | 1.119 | 194 |
2010 | Payton Bieker | .468 | .631 | 1.099 | 65 |
2001 | Nate Sickler | .440 | .651 | 1.091 | 195 |
2009 | Brandon Haveman | .462 | .616 | 1.078 | 185 |
2003 | Daniel Underwood | .420 | .658 | 1.078 | 199 |
2007 | Jordan Comadena | .455 | .620 | 1.075 | 100 |
2021 | Ben Nisle | .432 | .607 | 1.039 | 145 |
2006 | Mitch Hilligoss | .453 | .579 | 1.032 | 228 |
2012 | Kevin Plawecki | .445 | .578 | 1.023 | 223 |
2008 | Ryne White | .439 | .576 | 1.015 | 210 |
2008 | Jonathan Lilly | .480 | .529 | 1.009 | 87 |
2010 | Drew Madia | .454 | .552 | 1.006 | 143 |
2009 | John Cummins | .465 | .536 | 1.001 | 110 |
BEST XBHs PER GAME MARKS (SINCE 2001) Minimum 10 XBH |
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Season | Boilermaker | GP | 2B | 3B | HR | XBH | XBH/G |
2007 | Jordan Comadena | 28 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 18 | .643 |
2001 | Nate Sickler | 55 | 21 | 5 | 8 | 34 | .618 |
2009 | Brandon Haveman | 43 | 20 | 2 | 4 | 26 | .605 |
2009 | Dan Black | 51 | 13 | 2 | 15 | 30 | .588 |
2008 | Dan Black | 58 | 15 | 0 | 18 | 33 | .569 |
2021 | Ben Nisle | 39 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 22 | .564 |
2003 | Daniel Underwood | 54 | 30 | 16 | 2 | 12 | .556 |
2012 | Kevin Plawecki | 59 | 20 | 4 | 7 | 31 | .525 |
2011 | Cameron Perkins | 56 | 15 | 4 | 8 | 27 | .482 |
2010 | Cameron Perkins | 57 | 17 | 2 | 8 | 27 | .474 |
2007 | Ryne White | 53 | 16 | 1 | 8 | 25 | .472 |
2006 | Mitch Hilligoss | 58 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 27 | .466 |
2008 | Ryne White | 58 | 15 | 0 | 12 | 27 | .466 |
2017 | Jacson McGowan | 56 | 15 | 3 | 8 | 26 | .464 |
2021 | Miles Simington | 39 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 18 | .462 |
PURDUE GRAND SLAMS (SINCE 2001) | |||||
Date | Boilermaker | Opponent | Location | Inning | Game Result |
5/21/2021 | Miles Simington | Minnesota | Minneapolis, Minn. | T-3rd | W, 12-5 |
5/20/2021 | Jake Parr* | Minnesota | Minneapolis, Minn. | T-5th | W, 9-3 |
4/19/2021 | Jeremy Schork* | Illinois | Champaign, Ill. | T-9th | W, 20-6 |
3/26/2021 | Cam Thompson* | Rutgers | Alexander Field | B-9th | L, 7-5 |
2/15/2020 | Miles Simington* | Hofstra | Sanford, Fla. | B-8th | W, 10-4 |
4/09/2017 | Nick Dalesandro | Indiana | Alexander Field | B-9th | L, 14-9 |
3/23/2016 | Kyle Wood | Louisville | Alexander Field | B-6th | L, 9-4 |
3/22/2016 | Kyle Johnson | Ball State | Muncie, Ind. | T-2nd | L, 9-8 |
3/05/2016 | Kyle Johnson | East Tennessee St. | Johnson City, Tenn. | T-7th | W, 19-6 |
3/20/2015 | Jack Picchiotti | Rutgers | Alexander Field | B-7th | W, 9-5 |
3/15/2015 | Ted Snidanko* | Northern Illinois | Westfield, Ind. | B-6th | W, 23-5 |
3/15/2013 | Sean McHugh | Michigan | Ann Arbor, Mich. | T-6th | W, 12-9 |
4/27/2012 | Barrett Serrato | Michigan State | Lambert Field | B-4th | W, 6-2 |
2/19/2012 | Cameron Perkins | Notre Dame | St. Petersburg, Fla. | T-6th | W, 15-8 |
4/16/2010 | Drew Madia | Penn State | Lambert Field | B-2nd | W, 18-7 |
4/06/2010 | Dominick D'Agata* | Valparaiso | Lambert Field | B-7th | W, 14-5 |
5/14/2009 | Drew Madia | Illinois | Lambert Field | B-8th | W, 12-5 |
4/01/2009 | Drew Madia | Purdue Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, Ind. | T-3rd | L, 22-19 |
4/19/2008 | Dan Black | Ohio State | Columbus, Ohio | T-3rd | W, 8-0 |
4/11/2008 | Eric Nielsen | Penn State | Lambert Field | B-8th | W, 13-8 |
4/06/2008 | Dan Black | Iowa | Iowa City, Iowa | T-2nd | W, 16-3 |
3/23/2008 | Kyle Reesing | Western Illinois | Lambert Field | B-6th | W, 22-10 |
5/19/2007 | Dan Black | Northwestern | Evanston, Ill. | T-5th | L, 9-6 |
4/28/2007 | Ryne White | Ohio State | Lambert Field | B-5th | W, 16-0 |
4/16/2006 | Neal Gorka | Indiana | Bloomington, Ind. | T-2nd | W, 25-8 |
4/14/2006 | Neal Gorka | Indiana | Bloomington, Ind. | T-6th | L, 8-4 |
2/25/2005 | Andy Dahl | Florida Atlantic | Boca Raton, Fla. | T-6th | L, 6-4 |
5/26/2004 | Andy Dahl | Michigan State | Minneapolis, Minn. | T-8th | W, 6-5 |
5/02/2004 | John Hunter | Minnesota | Minneapolis, Minn. | T-1st | W, 15-6 |
3/28/2004 | Ben Fritz | Western Michigan | Lambert Field | B-6th | W, 12-1 |
4/02/2003 | Daniel Underwood | Ball State | Muncie, Ind. | T-5th | L, 17-14 |
5/15/2002 | Daniel Underwood | Evansville | Lambert Field | T-2nd | W, 6-2 |
4/27/2002 | David Harrell | Ohio State | Columbus, Ohio | T-4th | W, 10-7 |
5/08/2001 | Brad Kriner | at Chicago State | Chicago, Ill. | T-3rd | W, 10-7 |
4/21/2001 | Daniel Underwood | at Illinois | Champaign, Ill. | T-3rd | W, 16-2 |
3/24/2001 | Nate Sickler | Minnesota | Lambert Field | B-2nd | L, 11-10 |
*First Home Run as a Boilermaker |