HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. – Purdue Baseball matched the best start in program history, improving to 10-0 on the 2022 campaign with a 6-1 victory over Longwood Friday afternoon. With the win, the Boilermakers join the 1909 squad as the only teams to win their first 10 games to start a season.
Purdue starting pitcher Jackson Smeltz turned in a dominating performance, allowing only one run on three hits over seven innings. The southpaw faced just one batter over the minimum, picking off a pair of Lancers that recorded hits. With 10 strikeouts, Smeltz became the first pitcher to record at least 10 punchouts in consecutive starts since Matt Bischoff (Purdue's all-time strikeouts leader) in 2010.
Four Boilermakers recorded multi-hit games. Leadoff hitter Mike Bolton Jr. reached base four times with two hits and two walks, while Jake Jarvis went 2-for-3 after getting the start in right field. CJ Valdez went 2-for-2 with two walks and two RBI, doing his part as the designated hitter. Moving down to the seventh spot in the lineup led to a 2-for-4 afternoon from Paul Toetz, including a pair of RBI.
Smeltz was mowing down the Lancers from the start, striking out six of the first seven batters he faced. Meanwhile, at the plate, Purdue scored the game's first runs with a big third inning. Valdez started the scoring barrage with an RBI single up the middle. Cam Thompson followed with a double that added another run before a bases-loaded double by Toetz plated a pair of Boilermakers. When the dust settled, Purdue held a 4-0 lead.
The Boilermakers added one run in the fourth on a Valdez double as well as another in the fifth courtesy of a single by Jake Stadler. Smeltz continued to cruise on the rubber, facing the minimum through the first six innings to go along with 10 strikeouts.
Longwood (3-7) finally got on the board in the seventh when first baseman Hunter Gilliam smacked a solo homer off Smeltz to avoid the shutout. Finishing the job, Kyle Wade tossed a pair of scoreless frames to give the Purdue bullpen nine scoreless innings during the week.
The Boilermakers and Lancers return to Ting Stadium Saturday afternoon for game two of the weekend series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. and admission is free.
Purdue starting pitcher Jackson Smeltz turned in a dominating performance, allowing only one run on three hits over seven innings. The southpaw faced just one batter over the minimum, picking off a pair of Lancers that recorded hits. With 10 strikeouts, Smeltz became the first pitcher to record at least 10 punchouts in consecutive starts since Matt Bischoff (Purdue's all-time strikeouts leader) in 2010.
Four Boilermakers recorded multi-hit games. Leadoff hitter Mike Bolton Jr. reached base four times with two hits and two walks, while Jake Jarvis went 2-for-3 after getting the start in right field. CJ Valdez went 2-for-2 with two walks and two RBI, doing his part as the designated hitter. Moving down to the seventh spot in the lineup led to a 2-for-4 afternoon from Paul Toetz, including a pair of RBI.
Smeltz was mowing down the Lancers from the start, striking out six of the first seven batters he faced. Meanwhile, at the plate, Purdue scored the game's first runs with a big third inning. Valdez started the scoring barrage with an RBI single up the middle. Cam Thompson followed with a double that added another run before a bases-loaded double by Toetz plated a pair of Boilermakers. When the dust settled, Purdue held a 4-0 lead.
The Boilermakers added one run in the fourth on a Valdez double as well as another in the fifth courtesy of a single by Jake Stadler. Smeltz continued to cruise on the rubber, facing the minimum through the first six innings to go along with 10 strikeouts.
Longwood (3-7) finally got on the board in the seventh when first baseman Hunter Gilliam smacked a solo homer off Smeltz to avoid the shutout. Finishing the job, Kyle Wade tossed a pair of scoreless frames to give the Purdue bullpen nine scoreless innings during the week.
The Boilermakers and Lancers return to Ting Stadium Saturday afternoon for game two of the weekend series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. and admission is free.