WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Capitalizing on six extra-base hits and 13 walks, Purdue baseball posted a season-high run total to hold on for victory in a midweek slugfest, defeating Northern Illinois 17-14 Tuesday at Alexander Field.
The 31 combined runs were the most ever in a game at Alexander Field. For the second year in a row, the Boilermakers (19-5) won a game that featured a combined 30 runs. They scored their most runs since racking up 20 in an April 2021 win at Illinois. The 14 runs allowed were Purdue's third most in a victory since 1991.
The Boilermakers scored five times in the third inning and six unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth. The eighth-inning rally was key because NIU (6-21) sent 10 men to the plate in a five-run rally of its own in the top of the ninth.
Purdue's 13 walks represented the program's second-highest total since 2001. The 2018 team drew 15 walks in a May midweek game in which it scored 27 runs vs. Purdue Fort Wayne. Mike Bolton Jr. walked in each of his first four plate appearances, becoming the first Boilermaker with four walks in a game since Kyle Johnson in April 2015.
Evan Albrecht singled three times for his team-leading eighth three-hit game, improving his Big Ten-leading batting average to .432. Albrecht also scored three times while batting second in the lineup for the first time this season. He has reached base safely in 16 consecutive games and hit safely in nine straight.
Cam Thompson and Troy Viola both doubled twice. Thompson registered three RBI to increase his Big Ten-leading total to 37. He's reached base safely in 24 straight games.
Pablo Lanzarote went deep to left field in the sixth inning, hitting his first home run at Alexander Field.
Landon Weins (3-2) surrendered an RBI double to allow an inherited runner to score but was otherwise Purdue's most effective pitcher, working two innings of one-hit ball. He needed only six pitches to complete a 1-2-3 inning vs. the top of the NIU lineup in the top of the eighth. The Boilermakers then blew the game open with their six-run rally in the bottom half of the frame.
Purdue trailed 5-1 early before scoring eight unanswered runs over the second and third innings. The Boilermakers drew all 13 of their walks over the first four frames.
Curtis Washington Jr.'s two-out, two-run single capped the scoring in Purdue's five-run second inning. It also extended his on-base streak to 12 consecutive games.
The Boilermakers are back in action Wednesday when they host Indiana State at 4 p.m. ET.
The 31 combined runs were the most ever in a game at Alexander Field. For the second year in a row, the Boilermakers (19-5) won a game that featured a combined 30 runs. They scored their most runs since racking up 20 in an April 2021 win at Illinois. The 14 runs allowed were Purdue's third most in a victory since 1991.
The Boilermakers scored five times in the third inning and six unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth. The eighth-inning rally was key because NIU (6-21) sent 10 men to the plate in a five-run rally of its own in the top of the ninth.
Purdue's 13 walks represented the program's second-highest total since 2001. The 2018 team drew 15 walks in a May midweek game in which it scored 27 runs vs. Purdue Fort Wayne. Mike Bolton Jr. walked in each of his first four plate appearances, becoming the first Boilermaker with four walks in a game since Kyle Johnson in April 2015.
Evan Albrecht singled three times for his team-leading eighth three-hit game, improving his Big Ten-leading batting average to .432. Albrecht also scored three times while batting second in the lineup for the first time this season. He has reached base safely in 16 consecutive games and hit safely in nine straight.
CJ Valdez cleared the bases with a three-run double in the second inning, extending his on-base streak to 21 consecutive games. He finished with a season-high four RBI.❄️ The White Hats are Back. #BoilerUp
— Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) April 5, 2022
📸 @LexiEhle pic.twitter.com/ahXlapOSLi
Cam Thompson and Troy Viola both doubled twice. Thompson registered three RBI to increase his Big Ten-leading total to 37. He's reached base safely in 24 straight games.
Pablo Lanzarote went deep to left field in the sixth inning, hitting his first home run at Alexander Field.
Landon Weins (3-2) surrendered an RBI double to allow an inherited runner to score but was otherwise Purdue's most effective pitcher, working two innings of one-hit ball. He needed only six pitches to complete a 1-2-3 inning vs. the top of the NIU lineup in the top of the eighth. The Boilermakers then blew the game open with their six-run rally in the bottom half of the frame.
Purdue trailed 5-1 early before scoring eight unanswered runs over the second and third innings. The Boilermakers drew all 13 of their walks over the first four frames.
Curtis Washington Jr.'s two-out, two-run single capped the scoring in Purdue's five-run second inning. It also extended his on-base streak to 12 consecutive games.
The Boilermakers are back in action Wednesday when they host Indiana State at 4 p.m. ET.
Touch 'em all @Pablodle7!! Venezuela's Finest goes Big Fly to extend our lead. #BoilerUp 💪🇻🇪
— Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) April 5, 2022
End 6th: #Purdue 10, NIU 8 pic.twitter.com/EitRsFksNJ