WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Baseball scored six runs in its first inning at Alexander Field this season and later got a 10-strikeout performance from pitcher Luke Wagner, sweeping Saturday's home-opening doubleheader with UAlbany.
The Boilermakers (10-4) won game one 11-3 and the nightcap 6-1 behind a quality start from Wagner. Purdue turned six double plays on the day, registering four in a game for the first time since March 2018. Wagner's 10 strikeouts were the most by a Boilermaker since Jackson Smeltz struck out 13 Hoosiers in an April 2022 win at Alexander.
Mike Bolton Jr. (5-for-9, 2 doubles, walk) had five hits on the day. Camden Gasser (3-for-7, 2 walks, 5 RBI) also reached base safely more often than he was out. Bolton scored from second base on Gasser's two-run infield single in the fourth inning of the nightcap.
STREAKS EXTENDED
• Connor Caskenette – 19-game on-base streak at Home (since 3/31/23)
• Couper Cornblum – 15-game on-base at Home (since 4/15/23)
• Logan Sutter – 14-game on-base streak (every game of 2024)
• Camden Gasser – 12-game on-base streak (every game he's played in 2024)
• Luke Wagner – 16 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run
Luke Gaffney barreled up for a wall-banger in consecutive innings in the nightcap. He connected for a two-out, two-run double that gave the Boilermakers the lead in the bottom of the third. The following frame, he tripled to center field to drive in Gasser again. Logan Sutter followed with an RBI single.
Jackson Dannelley closed out the nightcap with three innings of hitless relief, earning his Big Ten-leading fourth save of the season. All four have been at least three innings.
Wagner struck out the side in the fourth and sixth innings, going through the heart of the lineup in both frames. He punched out UA's 3-4-5 hitters in order in the top of the sixth to pitch over a leadoff double. The lefty has surrendered just two runs (one earned) over 17 innings in his last three starts.
Purdue turned three of its six double plays with Cole Van Assen on the mound in game one. The freshman worked three scoreless innings as the Boilermakers turned 3-6-1, 4-3 and 5-3 double plays in support of him, the latter starting on a leap catching by Jo Stevens on a line drive to third base.
The Boilermakers sent 10 men to the plate in first inning of the day, scoring six times despite hitting the ball out of the infield just twice. RBI singles came from Gaffney and Gasser. Purdue has scored 10-plus runs in a win in each of the first four weekends of the season, staying on par with the 2012 Big Ten championship team (first five weekends) as the last to accomplish the feat.
The Boilermakers scored four or more runs in an inning three times Saturday and have posted nine big innings in 14 games this year.
The series concludes Sunday with another doubleheader at noon ET.
The Boilermakers (10-4) won game one 11-3 and the nightcap 6-1 behind a quality start from Wagner. Purdue turned six double plays on the day, registering four in a game for the first time since March 2018. Wagner's 10 strikeouts were the most by a Boilermaker since Jackson Smeltz struck out 13 Hoosiers in an April 2022 win at Alexander.
Mike Bolton Jr. (5-for-9, 2 doubles, walk) had five hits on the day. Camden Gasser (3-for-7, 2 walks, 5 RBI) also reached base safely more often than he was out. Bolton scored from second base on Gasser's two-run infield single in the fourth inning of the nightcap.
STREAKS EXTENDED
• Connor Caskenette – 19-game on-base streak at Home (since 3/31/23)
• Couper Cornblum – 15-game on-base at Home (since 4/15/23)
• Logan Sutter – 14-game on-base streak (every game of 2024)
• Camden Gasser – 12-game on-base streak (every game he's played in 2024)
• Luke Wagner – 16 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run
Luke Gaffney barreled up for a wall-banger in consecutive innings in the nightcap. He connected for a two-out, two-run double that gave the Boilermakers the lead in the bottom of the third. The following frame, he tripled to center field to drive in Gasser again. Logan Sutter followed with an RBI single.
Jackson Dannelley closed out the nightcap with three innings of hitless relief, earning his Big Ten-leading fourth save of the season. All four have been at least three innings.
Wagner struck out the side in the fourth and sixth innings, going through the heart of the lineup in both frames. He punched out UA's 3-4-5 hitters in order in the top of the sixth to pitch over a leadoff double. The lefty has surrendered just two runs (one earned) over 17 innings in his last three starts.
Purdue turned three of its six double plays with Cole Van Assen on the mound in game one. The freshman worked three scoreless innings as the Boilermakers turned 3-6-1, 4-3 and 5-3 double plays in support of him, the latter starting on a leap catching by Jo Stevens on a line drive to third base.
The Boilermakers sent 10 men to the plate in first inning of the day, scoring six times despite hitting the ball out of the infield just twice. RBI singles came from Gaffney and Gasser. Purdue has scored 10-plus runs in a win in each of the first four weekends of the season, staying on par with the 2012 Big Ten championship team (first five weekends) as the last to accomplish the feat.
The Boilermakers scored four or more runs in an inning three times Saturday and have posted nine big innings in 14 games this year.
The series concludes Sunday with another doubleheader at noon ET.