WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Jackson Smeltz struck out 10 for a third consecutive start and No. 21 Purdue baseball scored seven times in the first inning for the second time this season, remaining unbeaten at 13-0 with an 8-4 victory vs. Bellarmine in Thursday's home opener at Alexander Field.
The Boilermakers won their 14th consecutive game dating back to the 2021 season finale. It's the longest active win streak in the nation and now stands alone as the second-longest streak in program history.
Smeltz (4-0) became the first Boilermaker in the last 20 years to register 10-plus strikeouts in three consecutive starts. He fanned 10 of the 24 batters he faced Thursday and leads the Big Ten with 38 Ks in 21 1/3 innings this season. Landon Weins closed out the win with four innings of one-run relief, recording five strikeouts to help Purdue post 15 Ks, its most in a nine-inning game this season.
The Boilermakers' seven-run rally featured their first eight batters of the inning reaching base safely. But Purdue didn't hit the ball out of the infield until Jake Jarvis, the sixth batter of the frame, delivered a two-run single through the right side with the bases loaded. Paul Toetz followed with an RBI double, chasing starter Nolan Pender before the right-hander could record an out.
The Boilermakers drew seven free passes, including four in the first inning. Even on a hitless day, Big Ten RBI leader Cam Thompson drove in a run in each of the first two innings. With a 2-2 count, he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force home the game's first run. The following frame, Thompson elevated a fly ball into center field for a sac fly after Curtis Washington Jr. had stolen second and third base to put himself in scoring position with one out.
Smeltz struck out the side in order in the second inning, doing so on 10 pitches. He nearly posted an immaculate inning but missed just a bit high on an 0-2 fastball to the third batter of the frame. The lefty registered eight consecutive outs via the K from the final out of the first inning through the first out of the top of the fourth.
Weins worked three 1-2-3 innings, striking out three of the first six batters he faced. An RBI double in the top of the eighth ended the senior's streak of 12 consecutive scoreless innings to begin the season. Weins is the fifth different Boilermaker to record a save during the team's 13-0 start.
Purdue also scored seven times in the first inning of its Feb. 20 win vs. South Dakota State. Those two extended rallies are the primary reason why the Boilermakers have racked up 22 runs in the first inning over the first 13 games, their most of any frame.
The three-game series is slated to continue Friday if the weather and temperatures allowed the teams to play. Game time is pending until 9 a.m. Friday. A Sunday doubleheader continues to remain a possibility as well.
The Boilermakers won their 14th consecutive game dating back to the 2021 season finale. It's the longest active win streak in the nation and now stands alone as the second-longest streak in program history.
Smeltz (4-0) became the first Boilermaker in the last 20 years to register 10-plus strikeouts in three consecutive starts. He fanned 10 of the 24 batters he faced Thursday and leads the Big Ten with 38 Ks in 21 1/3 innings this season. Landon Weins closed out the win with four innings of one-run relief, recording five strikeouts to help Purdue post 15 Ks, its most in a nine-inning game this season.
The Boilermakers' seven-run rally featured their first eight batters of the inning reaching base safely. But Purdue didn't hit the ball out of the infield until Jake Jarvis, the sixth batter of the frame, delivered a two-run single through the right side with the bases loaded. Paul Toetz followed with an RBI double, chasing starter Nolan Pender before the right-hander could record an out.
The Boilermakers drew seven free passes, including four in the first inning. Even on a hitless day, Big Ten RBI leader Cam Thompson drove in a run in each of the first two innings. With a 2-2 count, he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force home the game's first run. The following frame, Thompson elevated a fly ball into center field for a sac fly after Curtis Washington Jr. had stolen second and third base to put himself in scoring position with one out.
Mike Bolton Jr. reached base safely three times via two walks and a perfect bunt single. Bolton and Thompson have on base in each of the first 13 games this season. With an RBI hit by pitch and a single, Troy Viola extended his reached base safely streak to 12 consecutive games. CJ Valdez was held hitless for the first time as a Boilermaker, but he walked twice to extend his on-base streak to 10 straight games.Another #4faves from the @PurdueBaseball home opener tonight. pic.twitter.com/fgD3YRIgWZ
— Dave Wegiel Photo (@pinolaphoto) March 11, 2022
Smeltz struck out the side in order in the second inning, doing so on 10 pitches. He nearly posted an immaculate inning but missed just a bit high on an 0-2 fastball to the third batter of the frame. The lefty registered eight consecutive outs via the K from the final out of the first inning through the first out of the top of the fourth.
Weins worked three 1-2-3 innings, striking out three of the first six batters he faced. An RBI double in the top of the eighth ended the senior's streak of 12 consecutive scoreless innings to begin the season. Weins is the fifth different Boilermaker to record a save during the team's 13-0 start.
Purdue also scored seven times in the first inning of its Feb. 20 win vs. South Dakota State. Those two extended rallies are the primary reason why the Boilermakers have racked up 22 runs in the first inning over the first 13 games, their most of any frame.
The three-game series is slated to continue Friday if the weather and temperatures allowed the teams to play. Game time is pending until 9 a.m. Friday. A Sunday doubleheader continues to remain a possibility as well.
Some celebration shots from @PurdueBaseball 13th straight win to stay a perfect 13-0. pic.twitter.com/5CGSQxUfTV
— Andrew Stein (@purduestein) March 11, 2022