Boilermakers to Face 3 Quality Foes at ECU's LeClair ClassicBoilermakers to Face 3 Quality Foes at ECU's LeClair Classic

Boilermakers to Face 3 Quality Foes at ECU's LeClair Classic

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ROUND ROBIN TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Purdue (6-2) at the Keith LeClair Classic

Clark-LeClair Stadium / Greenville, N.C.
Friday, March 1 at #11 East Carolina (5-3) at 2 p.m. ET / ESPN+
Saturday, March 2 vs. Southeastern Louisiana (6-3) at 11 a.m. ET
Sunday, March 3 vs. Cal State Fullerton (4-3) at 9 a.m. ET

SERIES HISTORY
All-Time vs. East Carolina: ECU leads 4-3 (All Games in Greenville)
Last Meeting: Purdue 6, ECU 4 (2012 at Keith LeClair Classic)
All-Time vs. Southeastern Louisiana: SELA leads 1-0
Previous Meeting: SELA 4, Purdue 0 (March 2018 in Hammond)
All-Time vs. Cal State Fullerton: First Meeting

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (Updated Friday)
Friday: Jordan Morales (Grad, LHP) vs. ECU's Trey Yesavage (Jr, RHP)
Saturday: Luke Wagner (Sr, LHP) vs. SELA's Dakota Lee (R-Jr, RHP)
Sunday: Kyle Iwinski (Sr, RHP) vs. CSF's Chad Gurnea (Fr, RHP)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Weekend No. 3 of the season brings Purdue Baseball back to North Carolina for its first regular-season tournament since 2020, participating in East Carolina's four-team Keith LeClair Classic for the second time.

The Boilermakers will play their first true road game of the season Friday as they take on No. 11 ECU at 2 p.m. First pitch was moved up two hours due to rain in the forecast for Friday evening. Purdue also has two morning games this weekend, Saturday at 11 a.m. vs. Southeastern Louisiana and Sunday at 9 a.m. vs. Cal State Fullerton. The Boilermakers will be the designated home team Saturday and bat first as the designated visiting team Sunday.

ECU and Fullerton both qualified for NCAA Regionals in 2023 and have been regulars in the postseason. Southeastern Louisiana was in the NCAA Tournament as recently as 2022. Fullerton's second-year head coach Jason Dietrich is the former pitching coach at ECU.

The Keith LeClair Classic is named after East Carolina's former head coach from 1998 to 2002. LeClair's coaching career was short by a battle with ALS, which ultimately took his life in 2006. Purdue also played in the 2012 edition of the tournament, which featured Maryland and Western Carolina as well.

The Boilermakers have played 23 games in North Carolina during Greg Goff's five-tenure as head coach, compiling a 19-4 record. Nineteen of those 23 games have been played at Ting Stadium in Holly Springs, where Purdue won three of four last weekend vs. George Mason. But the Boilers' first trip to the Tar Heel State under Goff was also for a round-robin tournament, winning the Campbell Invitational in February 2020. The following weekend Purdue went to Minneapolis for Minnesota's indoor tournament and that was the last time the Boilermakers played multiple non-conference opponents in the same weekend.

Goff and assistants Chris Marx and Seth LaRue coached many games against East Carolina during their years at Campbell as part of an annual home-and-home midweek series.

ECU's Friday starter Trey Yesavage is one of the best pitchers the Boilermakers will face this season as a projected day 1 selection in the MLB Draft this summer. Yesavage struck out 11 over six innings of one-run ball last weekend in a top-25 matchup at North Carolina. The Pirates are 4-0 at home after racking up 29 of their 47 victories in Greenville a year ago.

Jordan Morales has performed like a Friday ace over the first two starts of his grad transfer season at Purdue. The lefty has 12 strikeouts vs. one walk while not allowing an earned run over his first 11 1/3 innings as a Boilermaker. Jackson Dannelley has backed him up with 6 2/3 innings of one-hit relief to close out both Friday wins with three-inning saves.

Entering the weekend, Logan Sutter continues to share the national lead with eight doubles over Purdue's first eight games.

Southeastern Louisiana has come back to win each of its first two weekend series after dropping the Friday opener. Like Morales and Dannelley for Purdue, Dakota Lee and Jackson Rodriguez have been an effective 1-2 punch for SELA on the mound each of the first two Saturdays, combining for 17 innings of three-run ball. The Lions' bats have been hot over the last three games, scoring a combined 48 runs in wins vs. UAB, Xavier of Louisiana and Mississippi Valley State.

Fullerton won two of three at Stanford to open the season and dropped two of three at home to Fresno State last weekend. Both CSUF's Sunday games have been low scoring, losing 4-1 and 2-1. Freshman Chad Gurnea has pitched well in his first two collegiate starts, conceding just two earned runs over 10 innings.

ACTIVE STREAKS
Couper Cornblum – 28-game on-base streak (since April 15, 2023; final 20 of 2023, first 8 of 2024)
Logan Sutter – 8-game hit streak (every game of 2024)
Luke Gaffney – 8-game hit streak (every game of 2024)
Camden Gasser – 6-game hit streak (every game he's played in 2024)
Keenan Spence – 6-game on-base, 5-game hit streaks
Keenan Taylor – 5-game on-base streak
Jo Stevens – 5-game on-base streak
Jordan Morales – 11 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run

REACHED BASE SAFELY MORE THAN THEY WERE OUT VS. GEORGE MASON
Minimum 7 Plate Appearances
Keenan Taylor: .857 OBP, 3-for-4, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 2 BB, HBP, R
Aaron Dolney: .714 OBP, 3-for-5, 2 RBI, BB, HBP, R
Camden Gasser: .588 OBP, 7-for-14, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 6 R
Luke Gaffney: .529 OBP, 8-for-16, 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, HBP, 6 R
Keenan Spence: .529 OBP, 6-for-13, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB, 6 R

PURDUE'S RECORD IN NORTH CAROLINA…
Since 2023: 8-4
Since 2022: 16-4
Since 2020: 19-4
Since 2019: 21-5
Wins Against: George Mason (2024), Akron (2023), NJIT (2019, 2023), Longwood (2022), Charlotte (2022), Princeton (2022), Campbell (2020), Maine (2020), Villanova (2020)

PURDUE'S REGULAR-SEASON TOURNAMENTS SINCE ITS LAST APPEARANCE AT THE KEITH LeCLAIR CLASSIC IN 2012
Feb. 28-March 1, 2020 at Minnesota's Indoor Classic (Minneapolis)
0-3 – Lost 5-1 vs. Duke, Lost 6-0 vs. NC State, Lost 6-5 (in 10) vs. North Carolina
Feb. 21-23, 2020 at Campbell Invitational (Buies Creek, N.C.)
3-0 – Won 6-4 at Campbell, Won 6-2 vs. Maine, Won 7-1 vs. Villanova
March 2-4, 2018 at Stetson's Invitational (DeLand, Fla.)
2-1 – Won 11-1 vs. Central Michigan, Won 12-5 vs. Virginia Tech, Lost 11-6 at Stetson
Feb. 23-25, 2018 at Notre Dame's Alamo Classic (San Antonio)
3-1 – Won 5-2 vs. Saint Louis, Won 5-4 (in 10) vs. Incarnate Word, Lost 4-2 vs. Notre Dame, Won 8-7 vs. Notre Dame
March 11-12, 2016 at Kansas Classic (Lawrence, Kan.)
1-2 – Lost 3-2 vs. Saint Louis, Won 5-0 vs. North Dakota, Lost 8-1 vs. Kansas
Feb. 19-21, 2016 at Atlanta Challenge (Atlanta)
1-2 – Lost 5-2 at Georgia Tech, Lost 5-2 at Kennesaw State, Won 5-3 at Georgia State
Feb. 26-28 at Arizona State's Phoenix Muni Classic (Phoenix)
1-3 – Won 5-3 vs. Gonzaga, Lost 12-2 vs. Gonzaga, Lost 15-5 at Arizona State, Lost 6-4 (in 11) vs. CSU Bakersfield
Feb. 20-22 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's College Classic
2-2 – Lost 6-2 at A&M-CC, Won 4-3 (in 12) vs. Sam Houston State, Won 9-7 vs. Sam Houston State, Lost 1-0 vs. Missouri
Feb. 15-17, 2013 at Big East/Big Ten Challenge
2-2 – Won 11-8 vs. Connecticut, Lost 20-2 vs. South Florida, Lost 9-4 vs. Louisville, Won 5-3 vs. Connecticut
March 2-4, 2012 at Auburn Tournament (Auburn, Ala.)
3-0 – Won 9-8 at Auburn, Won 10-9 vs. Southern Miss, Won 5-2 vs. Charleston Southern
Feb. 25-26 at ECU's Keith LeClair Classic
2-1 – Won 6-4 vs. East Carolina, Lost 11-1 vs. Maryland, Won 14-7 vs. Western Carolina

BIG TEN TEAMS AT THE KEITH LeCLAIR CLASSIC (Since Purdue's first appearance in 2012)
2023: Indiana
2022: Michigan & Maryland
2020: Indiana
2019: NA
2018: NA
2017: NA
2016: Maryland (& Southeastern Louisiana)
2015: NA
2014: Ohio State
2013: Illinois
2012: Purdue (& Maryland while still a part of the ACC)

 
BIG INNING BOILERMAKERS – PROLIFIC RALLIES SINCE 2021
Date Runs Inning Opponent Game Result
3/05/23 13 B-4th vs Akron W, 23-4
2/25/24 10 B-5th vs George Mason W, 11-1
4/09/22 10 B-8th Indiana W, 17-0
3/04/23 9 B-3rd vs Akron W, 17-9
4/04/23 8 B-2nd Evansville L, 12-10
3/04/23 8 B-1st vs Akron W, 13-0
3/15/22 8 B-4th Dayton W, 11-2
2/19/22 8 B-7th vs South Dakota St. W, 14-3
4/19/23 7 B-3rd Butler W, 16-9
4/08/23 7 T-9th at Minnesota W, 15-3
5/10/22 7 B-6th Butler W, 11-6
3/10/22 7 B-1st Bellarmine W, 8-4
2/20/22 7 B-1st vs South Dakota St. W, 10-7
5/21/21 7 T-3rd at Minnesota W, 12-5
3/27/21 7 B-9th Rutgers W, 7-4
2/18/24 5 B-6th vs Stony Brook W, 13-6
2/17/24 5 B-6th vs Stony Brook W, 12-8
Scoring Breakdown – 13: 1, 10: 2, 9: 1, 8: 4, 7: 7, 6: 6, 5: 12
 
3-DOUBLE GAMES BY BOILERMAKERS (Since 2001)
Date Boilermaker Opponent Full Stat Line
2/17/2024 Luke Gaffney vs Stony Brook (Sugar Land, TX) 3-for-5, 3 2B, 5 RBI, 2 R
3/04/2023 CJ Valdez vs Akron (Holly Springs, NC) 3-for-5, 3 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
2/15/2019 Owen Jansen at Southern Miss 4-for-4, 3 2B, BB, RBI, R
5/11/2016 Daniel Sander at Valparaiso 5-for-5, 3 2B, 5 RBI
4/24/2016 Brett Carlson at Maryland 3-for-4, 3 2B, RBI, R
5/08/2011 Kevin Plawecki at Michigan State 3-for-4, 3 2B, BB, RBI, R
2/27/2009 Nick Overmyer at Southeast Missouri St. 3-for-4, 3 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R
3/02/2007 Spencer Ingaldson at Western Kentucky 5-for-5, 3 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R
4/04/2004 Mike Coles at Penn State 5-for-7, 3 2B, 5 R
5/11/2003 Ben Fritz at Indiana 4-for-6, 3 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R
5/11/2003 Simon Klink at Indiana 3-for-4, 3 2B, BB, RBI, 4 R
4/08/2003 John Manuel Purdue Fort Wayne 4-for-5, 3 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
3/30/2001 Nate Sickler at Michigan State 3-for-3, 3 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, SB
 
FEWEST HITS ALLOWED IN 4-GAME SERIES/WEEKEND (Since 2001)
Season Opponent Hits Allowed Innings Hits/9 IP Results
2006 at Iowa 18 31 5.23 Split 2-2
2005 at Minnesota 19 32 5.34 Won All 4
2008 Western Illinois 22 36 5.50 Won All 4
2001 Iowa 20 32 5.63 Won 3 of 4
2021 vs Michigan State & at Illinois 24 38 5.68 Won All 4
2016 Cal State Northridge 24 37 5.84 Won 3 of 4
2023 vs Akron 22 32 6.19 Won 3 of 4
2018 at San Antonio Tournament 25 36 1/3 6.19 Won 3 of 4
2022 vs South Dakota State 25 36 6.25 Won All 4
2019 at Texas 25 33 6.83 Lost 3 of 4
2006 Michigan State 25 32 7.03 Won 3 of 4
2024 vs Stony Brook 30 36 7.50 Won 3 of 4
2018 at Big Ten Tournament 30 35 7.71 Won 3 of 4
2022 vs Princeton 31 36 7.75 Won All 4
2017 at Santa Clara 31 36 7.75 Won All 4
2007 Indiana 28 32 7.88 Won 3 of 4
 
PURDUE GRAND SLAMS (SINCE 2001)
Date Boilermaker Opponent Location Inning Game Result
2/18/2024 Connor Caskenette Stony Brook Sugar Land, Texas B-6th W, 13-6
4/08/2023 Jake Jarvis Minnesota Minneapolis, Minn. T-9th W, 15-3
3/15/2023 Jake Jarvis Northern Illinois Alexander Field B-7th W, 14-5
3/04/2023 Jake Parr Akron Holly Springs, N.C. B-3rd W, 13-9
5/21/2021 Miles Simington Minnesota Minneapolis, Minn. T-3rd W, 12-5
5/20/2021 Jake Parr* Minnesota Minneapolis, Minn. T-5th W, 9-3
4/19/2021 Jeremy Schork* Illinois Champaign, Ill. T-9th W, 20-6
3/26/2021 Cam Thompson* Rutgers Alexander Field B-9th L, 7-5
2/15/2020 Miles Simington* Hofstra Sanford, Fla. B-8th W, 10-4
4/09/2017 Nick Dalesandro Indiana Alexander Field B-9th L, 14-9
3/23/2016 Kyle Wood Louisville Alexander Field B-6th L, 9-4
3/22/2016 Kyle Johnson Ball State Muncie, Ind. T-2nd L, 9-8
3/05/2016 Kyle Johnson East Tennessee St. Johnson City, Tenn. T-7th W, 19-6
3/20/2015 Jack Picchiotti Rutgers Alexander Field B-7th W, 9-5
3/15/2015 Ted Snidanko* Northern Illinois Westfield, Ind. B-6th W, 23-5
3/15/2013 Sean McHugh Michigan Ann Arbor, Mich. T-6th W, 12-9
4/27/2012 Barrett Serrato Michigan State Lambert Field B-4th W, 6-2
2/19/2012 Cameron Perkins Notre Dame St. Petersburg, Fla. T-6th W, 15-8
4/16/2010 Drew Madia Penn State Lambert Field B-2nd W, 18-7
4/06/2010 Dominick D'Agata* Valparaiso Lambert Field B-7th W, 14-5
*First Home Run as a Boilermaker