Red-Hot Purdue Hosts ETSU for Open Weekend in B1G PlayRed-Hot Purdue Hosts ETSU for Open Weekend in B1G Play

Red-Hot Purdue Hosts ETSU for Open Weekend in B1G Play

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GAMEDAY INFORMATION
East Tennessee State (22-12, 6-6 SoCon) at Purdue (24-13, 8-4 Big Ten)
Friday to Sunday, April 19-21 / Watch B1G+
Series Opener: Friday, April 19 at 6 p.m. ET
Middle Game: Saturday, April 20 at 5 p.m. ET
Series Finale: Sunday, April 21 at 1 p.m. ET
Alexander Field / West Lafayette, Indiana

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday: Jordan Morales (Grad, LHP) vs. ETSU's Carter Fink (Jr, RHP)
Saturday: Luke Wagner (Sr, LHP) vs. ETSU's Kenny Keller (Jr, LHP)
Sunday: Jonathan Blackwell (Sr, LHP) vs. ETSU's Michael Harpster (Fr, RHP)

SERIES HISTORY
All-Time: East Tennessee State leads 3-1
All-Time in West Lafayette: First Meetings
Previous Series: ETSU won 3 of 4 (March 2016 in Johnson City)

WEEKEND PROMOTIONS
Friday: Stars of Honor Kids Game #2
Saturday: Grand Prix Winner Recognized Pregame; Baseball Alumni Events & Recognition
Sunday: PUDM/Riley Family Day & BP Jersey Auction; Bark in the Park Dog Day

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Baseball's nine-game April homestand continues with the annual open weekend in Big Ten Conference play and features a matchup with another 20-game winner as East Tennessee State makes its first appearance at Alexander Field.

First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. The Boilermakers will be wearing special uniform tops for Sunday's pregame batting practice session and the hooded warmups are available for purchase via an online auction, which closes Sunday at 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit Riley Children's Hospital as part the annual Purdue University Dance Marathon/Riley Family Day at the ballpark.

With Purdue Softball and Soccer also playing at home on Saturday, coupled with the annual Grand Prix race at the track adjacent to Alexander Field, parking will be at a premium. Fans are invited to park in the R Lot north of Ross-Ade Stadium and ride the free shuttle to the stadium.

ETSU won its 22nd game of the season, and 17th at home, Wednesday vs. Radford. The Buccaneers have a potent lineup that has compiled a .322/.425/.521 team slash line for the season, putting up 8.2 runs per game. They rank ninth nationally in batting average.

Purdue is also averaging over eight runs per game this season and has been on a tear offensively over the last four games, scoring 55 runs thanks to a .391/.528/.645 team slash line. The Boilermakers have scored 10-plus in three consecutive games for the second time this season. They've also put up 50-plus over the last five for the third time in 2024.

Both teams are equals in fielding percentage, making Purdue's advantage this weekend on the mound. The Boilermakers have a 4.53 team ERA and issue 3.4 walks per nine innings. ETSU's team totals in those categories are 6.50 and 3.9. Two of the Bucs' scheduled starters this weekend began the season in the bullpen before graduating to the weekend rotation.

Fresh off his seven-RBI game in Tuesday's win vs. Ball State, the most RBI by a Boilermaker since 2015, Connor Caskenette was named to the Buster Posey Award Watch List on Thursday. The award recognizes the nation's top catcher. Caskenette has been one Purdue's most valuable players this season, serving as the backbone of the team behind the plate while anchoring the lineup as the cleanup hitter. He's second in the Big Ten with 46 RBI, trailing only teammate Luke Gaffney (47). He's started 31 of the 37 games behind the plate, including 11 straight and each of the first 12 conference games.

Couper Cornblum's first hit this weekend will be the 200th of his collegiate career. He continues to close in on the century mark for 100 consecutive games started.

While amassing seven hit by pitch in the sweep of Michigan State and reaching base safely in 10 consecutive plate appearances across Purdue's wins on April 14 and 16, Mike Bolton Jr. has moved into second place in program with 56 career hit by pitch. He broke Harry Shipley's career HBP record in Big Ten play (32) Sunday. Shipley's overall Purdue record (78) is likely safe, but Bolton (97) can become the first Boilermaker since Shipley (2015-18) to draw 100 career walks. With Bolton sporting a .650 on-base percentage since March 31 as Purdue has won eight of its last nine game, the century mark could be reached before the current homestand wraps up Tuesday.

At the midpoint of their conference season, the Boilermakers have emerged with Illinois, Nebraska and Michigan as the frontrunners for the Big Ten title. All three conference rivals play at home this weekend. Only Michigan has yet to have its open weekend in league play. The Illini play three of their next four series at home, where they are 11-1 this season. But they come to Alexander Field for the final weekend of the regular season. The Huskers opened an eight-game homestand Tuesday before playing two of their final three conference weekends on the road. After this weekend, Michigan's only home Big Ten series the rest of the way is against Purdue (May 10-12).

WEEKEND #5 OF BIG TEN PLAY
Ohio State (5-4) at Michigan (8-4)
Maryland (5-7) at Nebraska (6-3)
Northwestern (2-7) at Illinois (7-2)
Indiana (5-4) at Minnesota (3-6)
Rutgers (3-6) at Iowa (6-6)
Penn State (5-7) at Michigan State (3-6)
East Tennessee State at Purdue (8-4) – Non-Conference

OPEN WEEKENDS IN BIG TEN PLAY
Non-conference series during Big Ten season since league expanded before 2011-12 school year
2012: Lost 2 of 3 at No. 11 UCLA (May 5-6)
2013: Swept a 3-get set vs. Southern Illinois (May 3-5)
2014: Lost 2 of 3 at Southern Illinois (March 21-23)
2015: Lost all 3 games of a split-site series with Butler (March 28-29)
2016: Won 3 of 4 vs Cal State Northridge (May 19-22)
2017: Swept a 2-game set vs. Saint Louis (April 28-29)
2018: Split a doubleheader vs. Lipscomb (March 23)
2019: Won 2 of 3 vs. Southeast Missouri State (April 26-28)
2020: Was scheduled to play home series vs. Samford (April 17-19)
2021: N/A – conference-only season featured 3-team pod weekends
2022: Lost all 3 game vs. Belmont (April 22-24)
2023: Won 2 of 3 vs. South Dakota State (May 5-7)

ACTIVE STREAKS
Jo Stevens – 23-game on-base streak; 12-game hit streak; 16-game on-base streak at home
Mike Bolton Jr. – 16-game on-base streak; 8-game hit streak; 9-game on-base streak at home
Luke Gaffney – 15-game on-base streak; 7-game hit streak; 8-game on-base streak at home
Connor Caskenette – 13-game on-base streak; 6-game on-base streak at home
Keenan Spence – 10-game on-base streak; 6-game on-base streak at home
• Logan Sutter – 8-game on-base streak
Couper Cornblum – 90 consecutive games started (since start of 2023)
Carter Doorn – 18 consecutive scoreless innings at home; 12 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings in all games
Jackson Dannelley – 15 consecutive inherited runners stranded (since 5/20/23)

TOP 10 IN THE BIG TEN ENTERING THE WEEKEND
Luke Gaffney – 1st in RBI (47), 1st in Runs (45), 2nd in hits (60), 2nd in Batting Avg (.417), 3rd in OPS (1.198), 3rd in Slugging (.701), 5th in OBP (.497), T-5th in Doubles (13), T-5th in Triples (2), T-8th in HR (8)
Camden Gasser – 1st in Walks (37), 2nd in Sac Bunts (7), 4th in OBP (.500), 7th in Steals (13)
Couper Cornblum – T-1st in Triples (3), 10th in At-Bats (147)
Jackson Dannelley – 2nd in Saves (5)
Connor Caskenette – 2nd in RBI (46), T-8th in HR (8), T-8th in HBP (11)
Jordan Morales – T-3rd in Wins (5), 5th in Innings (52 2/3), 6th in ERA (3.76), 9th in Strikeouts (49)
Luke Wagner – T-3rd in Wins (5)
Mike Bolton Jr. – T-3rd in HBP (14), T-5th in Steals (14)
Logan Sutter – 4th in Doubles (14), T-8th in Slugging (.625), 10th in OPS (1.080)
Jo Stevens – T-5th in Triples (2), T-5th in HBP (12), 10th in OBP (.474)

 
LUKE GAFFNEY FRESHMAN RECORD WATCH
Statistical Category Purdue Freshman Record Gaffney's Total as of April 18
RBI 53 – Kevin Plawecki, 2010 47
Run Scored 50 – Brett Roach, 1986 45
Doubles 17 – Cameron Perkins, 2010 13
Total Bases 119 – Perkins (2010)/Roach (1986) 101
Hits 74 – Cameron Perkins, 2010 60
Batting Average .371 – Eric Charles, 2009 .417
On-Base Percentage .461 – Eric Charles, 2009 .497
Slugging Percentage .583 – Brett Roach, 1986 .701
Home Runs 12 – Brett Roach, 1986 8
Triples 5 – Eric Osborn, 2004 2
 
 
REACHED 40 RBI BEFORE MAY 1 (Since 2001)
Year Boilermaker Date of 40th RBI Season Total
2022 Cam Thompson April 9 56
2024 Luke Gaffney April 13 47 (as of April 18)
2024 Connor Caskenette April 16 46 (as of April 18)
2012 Cameron Perkins April 17 61
2023 Paul Toetz April 18 53
2001 Nate Sickler April 18 54
2018 Jacson McGowan April 24 59
2009 Dan Black April 28 51
2017 Jacson McGowan April 28 50
2001 Nick McIntyre April 29 48
 
 
MULTIPLE 5+ RBI GAMES IN A SEASON (Since 2001)
Year Boilermaker 5+ RBI Games Game Scores
2024 Connor Caskenette 4/06 at Rutgers
4/16 vs Ball State (7)
W, 8-6
W, 13-3
2024 Luke Gaffney 2/17 vs Stony Brook
4/14 vs Michigan State
W, 12-8
W, 21-1
2023 Jake Jarvis 2/19 vs Holy Cross (6)
4/08 at Minnesota
W, 12-2
W, 15-3
2023 Paul Toetz 2/18 vs Holy Cross (6)
3/04 vs Akron (6)
W, 14-4
W, 17-9
2022 Troy Viola 4/29 vs Michigan
5/13 at Northwestern
W, 18-4
W, 14-8
2022 CJ Valdez 4/19 at UIC
5/07 at Iowa
L, 9-6
W, 10-6
2016 Kyle Johnson 3/05 at ETSU (6)
3/22 at Ball State
W, 19-6
L, 9-8
2009 Dan Black 3/08 at Texas State
3/20 at Tenn-Martin
5/14 vs Illinois
L, 14-10
W, 11-7 (10)
W, 12-5
2008 Dan Black 3/15 at Ohio (6)
4/19 at Ohio State (6)
5/16 at Illinois
5/22 vs Penn State (6)
5/24 vs Indiana
W, 9-4
W, 8-0
W, 14-4
W, 15-6
W, 11-7
2004 John Hunter 4/04 at Penn State
5/02 at Minnesota (9)
W, 18-2
W, 15-9
2003 Daniel Underwood 4/02 at Ball State (6)
5/11 at Indiana (6)
L, 17-14
W, 20-4
 
 
PURDUE GRAND SLAMS (Since 2010)
Date Boilermaker Opponent Location Inning Game Result
4/16/2024 Connor Caskenette Ball State Alexander Field B-7th W, 13-3
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
 
LONGEST ON-BASE STREAKS SINCE 2001 (Single Season Only)
Longer Than 30 Games
Ryne White – 52 in 2007*
Cameron Perkins – 50 in 2011^
Cam Thompson – 44 in 2022^
David Blomberg – 39 in 2001
CJ Valdez – 34 in 2022^
26-29 Games
Curtis Washington Jr. – 29 in 2022
Jon Moore – 28 in 2008
Jordan Comadena – 28 in 2008
Jake Parr – 27 in 2023*
Mitch Hilligoss – 27 in 2006^
Spencer Ingaldson – 26 in 2005
25 Games
Connor Caskenette – 25 in 2023
Evan Albrecht – 25 in 2022
Kevin Plawecki – 25 in 2012
24 Games
Camden Gasser – 24 in 2024^
Skyler Hunter – 24 in 2019
Skyler Hunter – 24 in 2018
Kyle Wood – 24 in 2014
David Miller – 24 in 2011
Eric Charles – 24 in 2009

 
23 Games
• Jo Stevens – 23 in 2024
Troy Viola – 23 in 2022
Harry Shipley – 23 in 2018
Brandon Haveman – 23 in 2008
22 Games
Cole McKenzie – 22 in 2019*
Nick Dalesandro – 22 in 2017
Brandon Haveman – 22 in 2009^
David Harrell – 22 in 2001
21 Games
Miles Simington – 21 in 2021
Skyler Hunter – 21 in 2017
Barrett Serrato – 21 in 2011
Ben Wolgamot – 21 in 2008
Nick McIntyre – 21 in 2003
20 Games
Couper Cornblum – 20 in 2023*
Evan Albrecht – 20 in 2023^
Mike Bolton Jr. – 20 in 2022^
Nick Dalesandro – 20 in 2018
Brandon Haveman – 20 in 2009*
Brandon Haveman – 20 in 2008*
Alex Jaffee – 20 in 2007
Jordan Comadena – 20 in 2007^
Mike Coles – 20 in 2004
* – Season-Ending Streak // ^ – Season-Opening Streak
 
 
 
SCORED 10+ RUNS IN 3 STRAIGHT WINS (Since 1990)
Year Total Runs Opponent(s) Game Scores
2023 53 Akron W, 17-9
W, 13-0 (7 Innings)
W, 23-4 (7 Innings)
2024 48 Michigan State (2x)
Ball State
W, 14-0
W, 21-1
W, 13-3 (7 Innings)
2008 48 Western Illinois (2x)
Valparaiso
W, 11-2
W, 22-10
W, 15-0
2010 44 vs West Virginia
at Southern Illinois (2x)
L, 18-14
W, 18-2
L, 13-12
1993 44 at Iowa
at Louisville (2x)
W, 12-8
W, 14-4
W, 18-7
1992 43 Marian
Lewis
Saginaw Valley State
W, 11-4
W, 16-3
W, 16-10
2001 40 at Northwestern (2x)
at Butler
W, 20-11
W, 10-3
W, 10-2
2024 39 UAlbany (2x)
Northern Illinois
W, 16-6 (7 Innings)
W, 12-1 (7 Innings)
W, 11-1
2010 39 Ball State
at Illinois State
Penn State
W, 10-5
W, 11-3
W, 18-7
2012 37 at UCLA
vs Purdue Fort Wayne
UIC
W, 15-11
W, 11-4
W, 11-4
1998 36 vs Toledo
vs Virginia Tech (2x)
W, 10-9
W, 15-4
W, 11-8
2022 35 vs South Dakota State W, 11-1
W, 14-3
W, 10-4
2007 35 at Western Kentucky W, 10-6
W, 12-5
W, 13-1
2010 33 at Indiana W, 12-10
L, 12-11 (11 Innings)
W, 10-7 (10 Innings)