WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Limited to five runs over the first 24 innings of the series, Rutgers erupted for six runs on seven hits in a game-changing seventh inning, rallying past Purdue baseball 9-5 Sunday at Alexander Field to prevent a series sweep.
Behind another quality start from Kyle Iwinski, the Boilermakers (21-22, 10-8 B1G) led 5-1 entering the seventh inning. But the Scarlet Knights (26-18, 8-7 B1G) sent 10 men to the plate to flip the momentum. Jordan Sweeney hit a three-run homer, Josh Kuroda-Grauer delivered a game-tying triple and Evan Sleight's two-out single drove in the go-ahead run. Jake Marshall also did his part on the mound with four innings of scoreless relief, teaming with Ben Gorski to keep Purdue off the scoreboard after the bottom of the fourth.
Connor Caskenette hit his second two-run homer of the series, going deep in the first inning to extend his on-base streak to 21 consecutive games and hit streak to 14 games. Both totals represent Purdue season highs. Jake Parr, Couper Cornblum and Paul Toetz all reached base safely at least twice to extend their streaks as well.
STREAKS EXTENDED SUNDAY
• Connor Caskenette (2-Run HR) – 21-game on-base streak; 14-game hit streak; 13-game hit streak at home, 11-game hit streak in Big Ten play
• Jake Parr (2-for-4, RBI Double) – 17-game on-base streak; 13-game hit streak in Big Ten play; 11-game on-base streak at home
• Paul Toetz (2 Walks) – 15-game on-base streak; 11-game on-base streak at home
• Couper Cornblum (2-for-3, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 SB) – 10-game hit streak, 7-game hit streak in Big Ten play & at home
Iwinski conceded just an unearned run while he was on the mound. He gave way to Jackson Dannelley in the top of the seventh after consecutive infield hits followed by a sac bunt. On a 2-0 count, Sweeney elevated the ball into the wind blowing out to right center and it carried out for the three-run homer that made it a one-run game.
Iwinski did not give up a hit until there were two outs in the fifth inning Sunday. He enjoyed a streak of 11 consecutive scoreless innings at Alexander Field and 14 straight frames without allowing an earned run dating back to his April 15 gem vs. Penn State. At home this season, the righthander has compiled a 1.29 ERA and .181 batting average against in 21 innings.
This weekend vs. Rutgers, Iwinski teamed with Khal Stephen and Jonathan Blackwell for 19 quality innings from the starting rotation, compiling a combined 2.37 ERA. They did it by pitching to contact, recording just eight strikeouts. Together they induced 27 ground ball outs. Purdue also turned four ground ball double plays on the weekend.
Parr connected for an RBI double to the wall in left field in the third inning. He has nine extra-base hits during his Big Ten hit streak, which dates back to April 2. Parr's 10-game run scored streak did come to an end Sunday.
Caskenette's home run was his third of his long hit streak, his fourth at Alexander Field this season and fourth in Big Ten play. He has recorded 20 of his 27 RBI this year in Big Ten play.
Despite being unable to complete the series sweep. The Boilermakers still managed to win four of their five weekend series in April. They picked up another tiebreaker with their series win and now hold potential head-to-head tiebreakers vs. Rutgers, Penn State, Minnesota and Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament chase and seeding.
Purdue's season-long eight-game homestand continues Friday against South Dakota State, the Boilermakers' opponent for their open weekend in Big Ten play. The four-game series begins with a 6 p.m. ET first pitch Friday.
Behind another quality start from Kyle Iwinski, the Boilermakers (21-22, 10-8 B1G) led 5-1 entering the seventh inning. But the Scarlet Knights (26-18, 8-7 B1G) sent 10 men to the plate to flip the momentum. Jordan Sweeney hit a three-run homer, Josh Kuroda-Grauer delivered a game-tying triple and Evan Sleight's two-out single drove in the go-ahead run. Jake Marshall also did his part on the mound with four innings of scoreless relief, teaming with Ben Gorski to keep Purdue off the scoreboard after the bottom of the fourth.
Connor Caskenette hit his second two-run homer of the series, going deep in the first inning to extend his on-base streak to 21 consecutive games and hit streak to 14 games. Both totals represent Purdue season highs. Jake Parr, Couper Cornblum and Paul Toetz all reached base safely at least twice to extend their streaks as well.
STREAKS EXTENDED SUNDAY
• Connor Caskenette (2-Run HR) – 21-game on-base streak; 14-game hit streak; 13-game hit streak at home, 11-game hit streak in Big Ten play
• Jake Parr (2-for-4, RBI Double) – 17-game on-base streak; 13-game hit streak in Big Ten play; 11-game on-base streak at home
• Paul Toetz (2 Walks) – 15-game on-base streak; 11-game on-base streak at home
• Couper Cornblum (2-for-3, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 SB) – 10-game hit streak, 7-game hit streak in Big Ten play & at home
Iwinski conceded just an unearned run while he was on the mound. He gave way to Jackson Dannelley in the top of the seventh after consecutive infield hits followed by a sac bunt. On a 2-0 count, Sweeney elevated the ball into the wind blowing out to right center and it carried out for the three-run homer that made it a one-run game.
Iwinski did not give up a hit until there were two outs in the fifth inning Sunday. He enjoyed a streak of 11 consecutive scoreless innings at Alexander Field and 14 straight frames without allowing an earned run dating back to his April 15 gem vs. Penn State. At home this season, the righthander has compiled a 1.29 ERA and .181 batting average against in 21 innings.
This weekend vs. Rutgers, Iwinski teamed with Khal Stephen and Jonathan Blackwell for 19 quality innings from the starting rotation, compiling a combined 2.37 ERA. They did it by pitching to contact, recording just eight strikeouts. Together they induced 27 ground ball outs. Purdue also turned four ground ball double plays on the weekend.
Cornblum reached base safely four times, helping the Boilermakers build their early lead with a walk, stolen base and run scored in the first inning; a single, stolen base and run scored in the third inning. The center fielder now has 21 steals for the season, joining Mike Bolton Jr. (28) among Purdue's single-season leaderboard.👀 2nd Look at @Caskenette_ clubbing a full-count offering to LF for his 2nd 2-run homer of the series. #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/1A8m5ciBS9
— Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) April 30, 2023
Parr connected for an RBI double to the wall in left field in the third inning. He has nine extra-base hits during his Big Ten hit streak, which dates back to April 2. Parr's 10-game run scored streak did come to an end Sunday.
Caskenette's home run was his third of his long hit streak, his fourth at Alexander Field this season and fourth in Big Ten play. He has recorded 20 of his 27 RBI this year in Big Ten play.
Despite being unable to complete the series sweep. The Boilermakers still managed to win four of their five weekend series in April. They picked up another tiebreaker with their series win and now hold potential head-to-head tiebreakers vs. Rutgers, Penn State, Minnesota and Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament chase and seeding.
Purdue's season-long eight-game homestand continues Friday against South Dakota State, the Boilermakers' opponent for their open weekend in Big Ten play. The four-game series begins with a 6 p.m. ET first pitch Friday.