WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – No. 16 Purdue baseball registered a program-record 19 strikeouts but UIC scored 10 unanswered runs over the final three innings to stun the Boilermakers 10-9 Tuesday at Alexander Field.
Purdue (18-2) led 9-0 entering the seventh inning, but the visitors from Chicago scored three run in the seventh, four in the eighth and three in the ninth to steal the game. The Boilermakers' seven-game home win streak dating back to the 2021 season finale came to an end. They also suffered their first loss of the season in the traditional nine innings.
The Flames (6-12) scored all three of their ninth-inning runs with two outs. Bryan Rosario delivered the game-tying hit, a two-run single, and Luke Picchiotti followed with the go-ahead single. Overall, UIC scored nine of its 10 runs with two outs.
In the bottom of the ninth, a leadoff four-pitch walk to Troy Viola and sacrifice bunt from Tyler Powers put the tying run in scoring position. But the Flames' Matt Zahora regrouped and retired the next two batters to close out the game.
Six different Boilermakers recorded a strikeout. Troy Wansing struck out the side in each of the first two innings. CJ Backer followed with four Ks vs the first six batters he faced, punching out five over 2 2/3 innings of one-hit relief. Landon Weins recorded the record-breaking 19th strikeout for the second out of the ninth inning.
Previously, Purdue had struck out 18 in an April 2019 midweek date at Indiana, a non-conference game that went 10 innings.
The Boilermakers have recorded a double-figure strikeout total in 14 of their first 20 games and are averaging 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings this season.
Cam Thompson delivered an RBI single in his first at-bat to extend his RBI streak to 13 consecutive games. Mike Bolton Jr. connected for an RBI double in the second inning. CJ Valdez had two hits and an RBI before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning. All three players have reached base safely in every game they've played this season.
But Albrecht's RBI single in the fifth inning proved to be the Boilermakers' final hit of the game. As the 9-hole hitter, Albrecht batted for a third time with one out in the fifth inning. But Purdue sent only 15 men to the plate over the game's final four innings.
The Boilermakers were scheduled to play at Indiana State on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, but the game has already been called off due to thunderstorms in the forecast beginning in the five o'clock hour. ISU was in favor of starting the game at 1 p.m., but Purdue was unable to depart campus early enough Wednesday to accommodate the afternoon start. The coaching staffs agreed to call the game Tuesday to allow ISU an opportunity to find a replacement opponent for Wednesday. The two teams are scheduled to play Wednesday, April 6 in West Lafayette. A doubleheader is unlikely in part because next week is already a scheduled five-game week for the Boilermakers.
Purdue (18-2) led 9-0 entering the seventh inning, but the visitors from Chicago scored three run in the seventh, four in the eighth and three in the ninth to steal the game. The Boilermakers' seven-game home win streak dating back to the 2021 season finale came to an end. They also suffered their first loss of the season in the traditional nine innings.
The Flames (6-12) scored all three of their ninth-inning runs with two outs. Bryan Rosario delivered the game-tying hit, a two-run single, and Luke Picchiotti followed with the go-ahead single. Overall, UIC scored nine of its 10 runs with two outs.
In the bottom of the ninth, a leadoff four-pitch walk to Troy Viola and sacrifice bunt from Tyler Powers put the tying run in scoring position. But the Flames' Matt Zahora regrouped and retired the next two batters to close out the game.
Six different Boilermakers recorded a strikeout. Troy Wansing struck out the side in each of the first two innings. CJ Backer followed with four Ks vs the first six batters he faced, punching out five over 2 2/3 innings of one-hit relief. Landon Weins recorded the record-breaking 19th strikeout for the second out of the ninth inning.
Previously, Purdue had struck out 18 in an April 2019 midweek date at Indiana, a non-conference game that went 10 innings.
The Boilermakers have recorded a double-figure strikeout total in 14 of their first 20 games and are averaging 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings this season.
Evan Albrecht led the way offensively Tuesday with three RBI and his sixth three-hit game, raising his average to .409. He's 10-for-18 with five RBI in the last four games and has scored a run in seven straight games.Bend it like @_cjbacker!#NCAABaseball x 🎥 @PurdueBaseball pic.twitter.com/14AUpuCrAB
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) March 29, 2022
Cam Thompson delivered an RBI single in his first at-bat to extend his RBI streak to 13 consecutive games. Mike Bolton Jr. connected for an RBI double in the second inning. CJ Valdez had two hits and an RBI before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning. All three players have reached base safely in every game they've played this season.
But Albrecht's RBI single in the fifth inning proved to be the Boilermakers' final hit of the game. As the 9-hole hitter, Albrecht batted for a third time with one out in the fifth inning. But Purdue sent only 15 men to the plate over the game's final four innings.
The Boilermakers were scheduled to play at Indiana State on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, but the game has already been called off due to thunderstorms in the forecast beginning in the five o'clock hour. ISU was in favor of starting the game at 1 p.m., but Purdue was unable to depart campus early enough Wednesday to accommodate the afternoon start. The coaching staffs agreed to call the game Tuesday to allow ISU an opportunity to find a replacement opponent for Wednesday. The two teams are scheduled to play Wednesday, April 6 in West Lafayette. A doubleheader is unlikely in part because next week is already a scheduled five-game week for the Boilermakers.
📸: @PurdueBaseball vs UIC pic.twitter.com/QrYDuT1tBH
— kierstin (@kierstincv) March 30, 2022