Big Inning, Unearned Runs Burn Baseball in Rubber Game vs. ETSUBig Inning, Unearned Runs Burn Baseball in Rubber Game vs. ETSU

Big Inning, Unearned Runs Burn Baseball in Rubber Game vs. ETSU

<br /><br />East Tennessee State's seven-run fourth inning ignited a surge of a dozen unanswered runs, defeating Purdue Baseball 12-2 in Sunday's rubber game of the series at Alexander Field.

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – East Tennessee State's seven-run fourth inning ignited a surge of a dozen unanswered runs, defeating Purdue Baseball 12-2 in Sunday's rubber game of the series at Alexander Field.

The Boilermakers (25-15) took an early lead on Keenan Spence's two-run homer in the second inning, their ninth long ball of the series. Spence was the fifth Purdue player to go deep on the weekend, hitting his seventh of the season.

The Buccaneers (24-13) sent 12 men to the plate in their seven-run inning, scoring four additional runs after a dropped foul ball with the based loaded and one out. ETSU scored four more unearned runs later in the game after two-out errors extended the fifth and sixth innings.

The 10-run rule ended the game after seven innings. It was the third run-rule game of the week at Alexander Field after Purdue won by margins of 13-3 and 18-7 Tuesday and Saturday.

The Bucs received a quality starter from righthander Michael Harpster, who struck out eight in his seven-inning complete game. The freshman improved to 6-1 on the season and continues to lead ETSU in innings pitched.

Purdue's bullpen entered the day having worked 7 2/3 innings of three-hit scoreless relief in the series but was ineffective Sunday while being hamstrung by unearned runs. ETSU scored nine times on six his and five walks against the first three men to take the mound in relief. Davis Pratt finally stopped the bleeding with a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the seventh.

Carter Doorn was charged with a run at home for the first time since March 16, ending his streak of 18 consecutive scoreless innings at Alexander and 12 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings overall.

💥 @KeenanSpence32 says I want in on the HR Parade. #BoilerUp

5th #Boilermaker to go deep this weekend & #Purdue's 9th HR of the series. 🚀💪🌮 pic.twitter.com/orc42qMHbM

— Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) April 21, 2024
STREAKS EXTENDED
Jo Stevens – 26-game on-base streak; 19-game on-base streak at home
Mike Bolton Jr. – 19-game on-base streak; 12-game on-base streak at home
Keenan Spence – 11-game on-base streak; 7-game on-base streak at home
Camden Gasser – 6 consecutive games with a walk
Couper Cornblum – 93 consecutive games started (since start of 2023)

Mike Bolton Jr. led off the game with a double but was stranded at third base. Besides Spence's home run, the Boilermakers did not have a runner advance past second base the remainder of the game.

Purdue suffered just its third Sunday loss of the season, falling to 8-3 to close out a weekend. The Boilermakers' surging lineup was limited to its lowest run total since the March 29 loss at Ohio State and easily its fewest runs of the season on a Sunday.

Purdue's nine-game homestand concludes Sunday with a $3 midweek matchup vs. Evansville. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. ET.

Every #Boilermaker has a BP jersey featuring their number on the sleeve available at Sunday's online auction. Proceeds go to @RileyChildrens. #BoilerUp #ForTheKids

👕 Bids Accepted until 7pm: https://t.co/60TCxcW7wE pic.twitter.com/ufoCEneQbg

— Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) April 21, 2024