EVANSTON, Ill. – Even while hitting the ball out of the infield just once, Purdue baseball scored five times in the fourth inning and the extended rally ignited an offensive onslaught in a 14-8 series-opening victory Friday at Northwestern.
The Boilermakers (28-16, 8-9 B1G) outscored NU (21-24, 7-12 B1G) 13-6 beginning with their big inning. They blew the game open with seven runs across the seventh and eighth innings. The Wildcats did not go quietly with a three-run ninth.
Cam Thompson connected for his team-leading 11th home run of the season to lead off the fifth inning, recording his 50th RBI in the process. He's the first Boilermaker to reach the 50-RBI mark since Jacson McGowan in 2018.
Troy Viola doubled twice as one of three Boilermakers with three hits. He posted his second five-RBI game of the season, joining CJ Valdez as Purdue players to accomplish the feat this season. Only six Boilermakers have multiple five-RBI games in a season in the last 20 years.
Mike Bolton Jr. reached base safely four times, drawing three walks, including a bases-loaded walk to force home Purdue's first run of the day. Evan Albrecht drew four walks, joining Bolton as Boilermakers to accomplish the feat this season.
Steve Ramirez's bloop double down the right field line was the only ball to leave the infield in the five-run top of the fourth as Purdue took the lead for the first time. Ryan Howe ignited the rally when he was hit by a pitch and he scored the first run on a wild pitch. Curtis Washington Jr., Viola and Paul Toetz each came through with an RBI by putting the ball in play with a runner at third. CJ Valdez scored on a walk-off play as Toetz baited NU into throwing to second with runners on the corners with two outs.
The Boilermakers scored five-plus in a frame for the 14th time this season. Purdue posted a double-figure hit total for the seventh time in the last 10 games and scored 10-plus for the fifth time in the last eight games.
Ramirez was 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored in the 9-hole. He joined Bolton, Washington and Albrecht as Boilermakers to reach base safely four times.
Khal Stephen allowed a pair of inherited runners to score on a two-out, two-run double but went on to strike out four of the 11 batters he faced over 2 2/3 innings of three-hit relief. Starter CJ Backer limited the damage in the first inning after NU scored first and then had runners on second and third with no outs. He posted a pair of zeros and departed with Purdue leading 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth.
Landon Weins worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning and Kyle Wade closed out the victory. Stephen, Weins and Wade teamed up to hold NU to one run from the fifth through eighth innings.
Albrecht and Washington accounted for stolen bases to give Purdue 105 for the season, moving within one of the program record (106) that has stood since 2000.
Game 2 of the series is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.
The Boilermakers (28-16, 8-9 B1G) outscored NU (21-24, 7-12 B1G) 13-6 beginning with their big inning. They blew the game open with seven runs across the seventh and eighth innings. The Wildcats did not go quietly with a three-run ninth.
Cam Thompson connected for his team-leading 11th home run of the season to lead off the fifth inning, recording his 50th RBI in the process. He's the first Boilermaker to reach the 50-RBI mark since Jacson McGowan in 2018.
Troy Viola doubled twice as one of three Boilermakers with three hits. He posted his second five-RBI game of the season, joining CJ Valdez as Purdue players to accomplish the feat this season. Only six Boilermakers have multiple five-RBI games in a season in the last 20 years.
Mike Bolton Jr. reached base safely four times, drawing three walks, including a bases-loaded walk to force home Purdue's first run of the day. Evan Albrecht drew four walks, joining Bolton as Boilermakers to accomplish the feat this season.
Steve Ramirez's bloop double down the right field line was the only ball to leave the infield in the five-run top of the fourth as Purdue took the lead for the first time. Ryan Howe ignited the rally when he was hit by a pitch and he scored the first run on a wild pitch. Curtis Washington Jr., Viola and Paul Toetz each came through with an RBI by putting the ball in play with a runner at third. CJ Valdez scored on a walk-off play as Toetz baited NU into throwing to second with runners on the corners with two outs.
The Boilermakers scored five-plus in a frame for the 14th time this season. Purdue posted a double-figure hit total for the seventh time in the last 10 games and scored 10-plus for the fifth time in the last eight games.
Ramirez was 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored in the 9-hole. He joined Bolton, Washington and Albrecht as Boilermakers to reach base safely four times.
Khal Stephen allowed a pair of inherited runners to score on a two-out, two-run double but went on to strike out four of the 11 batters he faced over 2 2/3 innings of three-hit relief. Starter CJ Backer limited the damage in the first inning after NU scored first and then had runners on second and third with no outs. He posted a pair of zeros and departed with Purdue leading 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth.
Landon Weins worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning and Kyle Wade closed out the victory. Stephen, Weins and Wade teamed up to hold NU to one run from the fifth through eighth innings.
Albrecht and Washington accounted for stolen bases to give Purdue 105 for the season, moving within one of the program record (106) that has stood since 2000.
Game 2 of the series is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.