MINNEAPOLIS – Logan Sutter and Keenan Spence both delivered a run-scoring hit in each of the first two innings as Purdue Baseball raced out to a six-run lead, but Minnesota reeled off nine unanswered runs to rally back and take the series finale 10-8 Sunday inside U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Boilermakers (14-2, 2-1 Big Ten) were denied of their first-ever sweep in Minneapolis with a loss in the series finale for the fourth consecutive trip to the Twin Cities dating back to 2017. But Purdue still managed to win three of four in its first week of action in the Midwest and now opens a 13-game homestand Wednesday that will keep the team at Alexander Field through April 2.
Spence homered for the second day in a row, connecting for a two-run blast to center field to cap the scoring in the Boilers' four-run first inning. The following frame, he connected for a ground-rule double into the left field corner to put Purdue in front 7-1.
Sutter's team-leading 10th double highlighted a day in which he reached base safely in his first four at-bats. He reached 10 doubles by March 9, one day sooner than the program record he established a year ago.
Albert Choi, Aaron Manias, Spence and Sutter each hit safely in all three games of the Big Ten-opening series.
The Gophers (6-7, 1-2 Big Ten) took their first lead in the fifth inning on consecutive run-scoring hits from the 8-9 spots in the lineup. At the bottom of the order, Kris Hokenson and Elbeery both enjoyed three-hit days and finished the win a combined 6-for-8 with four RBI and four runs scored.
STREAKS EXTENDED
• Logan Sutter – 18-game on-base (since May 21, 2024), on-base safely multiple times in all 16 games
• Albert Choi – 16-game on-base (as a Boilermaker)
• Brandon Anderson – 15-game on-base
• Aaron Manias: 6-game hit
• Lukas Cook: 6-game hit
• Keenan Spence – 5-game hit
• Houston Russell – 5-game on-base
• Breck Nowik – 5-game on-base
Down 10-7 entering the top of the seventh, Purdue loaded the bases and had the tying run in scoring position. A pinch-hit double from Minnesota native Eli Anderson finally chased reliver Joe Sperry, who was the MVP on the day for the home team. After the Boilermakers roughed up starter Justin Thorsteinson to the tune of five hits and seven runs (three earned) over 14 batters faced, Sperry (2-0) posted four consecutive zeros. The only run he was charged with over 4 2/3 innings scored after he departed in the top of the seventh.
Seth Clausen ultimately closed out the win with 2 2/3 innings of hitless relief. But his command was shaky at first, issuing a four-pitch walk to Choi and forcing in a run with a bases-loaded walk to Brandon Anderson. But Clausen found his release point and struck out Sutter with the game on the line, limiting the damage in the seventh inning. Purdue had just one base runner the rest of the way.
Minnesota matched Purdue's three-spot in the second inning and then made it one-run game on a two-out, two-run single from Elbeery in the bottom of the third. It was Elbeery's first RBI of the season.
Isaac Milburn struck out seven of the 16 batters he faced, including five in a row at one point, while accounting for a team-high 10 outs (3 1/3 innings). But the bottom of the lineup got to Milburn (0-1) both times he had to face the duo of Hokenson and Elbeery. Milburn did induce an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the second and struck out the Gophers' 2-3-4 hitters in order in the fourth. The lefty recorded seven consecutive outs via the K from the third through fifth innings.
Maclane Finley gave Purdue consecutive zeros in the seventh and eighth innings to keep the prospects of a potential comeback alive.
Wednesday's home opener vs. Butler is slated for a 4 p.m. ET first pitch as the first $3 midweek matchup of the season. General admission tickets, hot dogs, beers, popcorn and nachos are all specially priced at $3.
The Boilermakers (14-2, 2-1 Big Ten) were denied of their first-ever sweep in Minneapolis with a loss in the series finale for the fourth consecutive trip to the Twin Cities dating back to 2017. But Purdue still managed to win three of four in its first week of action in the Midwest and now opens a 13-game homestand Wednesday that will keep the team at Alexander Field through April 2.
Spence homered for the second day in a row, connecting for a two-run blast to center field to cap the scoring in the Boilers' four-run first inning. The following frame, he connected for a ground-rule double into the left field corner to put Purdue in front 7-1.
Sutter's team-leading 10th double highlighted a day in which he reached base safely in his first four at-bats. He reached 10 doubles by March 9, one day sooner than the program record he established a year ago.
Albert Choi, Aaron Manias, Spence and Sutter each hit safely in all three games of the Big Ten-opening series.
The Gophers (6-7, 1-2 Big Ten) took their first lead in the fifth inning on consecutive run-scoring hits from the 8-9 spots in the lineup. At the bottom of the order, Kris Hokenson and Elbeery both enjoyed three-hit days and finished the win a combined 6-for-8 with four RBI and four runs scored.
| PURDUE NOTABLES | |
| Sunday Leaders • Logan Sutter: 3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 R • Keenan Spence: 2-for-5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, R • Brandon Anderson: Walk, Sac Fly, 3 RBI • Maclane Finley: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, BB, 2 K • Isaac Milburn: 3 1/3 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 7 K |
Series Leaders • Logan Sutter: 6-for-12, 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 5 R • Aaron Manias: 6-for-12, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI, HBP, 3 R • Keenan Spence: 4-for-13, 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 R • Lukas Cook: 5-for-14, RBI, 2 R, Sac, 2 SB • Brandon Anderson: 1-for-9, HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB, HBP, 3 R |
STREAKS EXTENDED
• Logan Sutter – 18-game on-base (since May 21, 2024), on-base safely multiple times in all 16 games
• Albert Choi – 16-game on-base (as a Boilermaker)
• Brandon Anderson – 15-game on-base
• Aaron Manias: 6-game hit
• Lukas Cook: 6-game hit
• Keenan Spence – 5-game hit
• Houston Russell – 5-game on-base
• Breck Nowik – 5-game on-base
Down 10-7 entering the top of the seventh, Purdue loaded the bases and had the tying run in scoring position. A pinch-hit double from Minnesota native Eli Anderson finally chased reliver Joe Sperry, who was the MVP on the day for the home team. After the Boilermakers roughed up starter Justin Thorsteinson to the tune of five hits and seven runs (three earned) over 14 batters faced, Sperry (2-0) posted four consecutive zeros. The only run he was charged with over 4 2/3 innings scored after he departed in the top of the seventh.
Seth Clausen ultimately closed out the win with 2 2/3 innings of hitless relief. But his command was shaky at first, issuing a four-pitch walk to Choi and forcing in a run with a bases-loaded walk to Brandon Anderson. But Clausen found his release point and struck out Sutter with the game on the line, limiting the damage in the seventh inning. Purdue had just one base runner the rest of the way.
Minnesota matched Purdue's three-spot in the second inning and then made it one-run game on a two-out, two-run single from Elbeery in the bottom of the third. It was Elbeery's first RBI of the season.
Isaac Milburn struck out seven of the 16 batters he faced, including five in a row at one point, while accounting for a team-high 10 outs (3 1/3 innings). But the bottom of the lineup got to Milburn (0-1) both times he had to face the duo of Hokenson and Elbeery. Milburn did induce an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the second and struck out the Gophers' 2-3-4 hitters in order in the fourth. The lefty recorded seven consecutive outs via the K from the third through fifth innings.
Maclane Finley gave Purdue consecutive zeros in the seventh and eighth innings to keep the prospects of a potential comeback alive.
Wednesday's home opener vs. Butler is slated for a 4 p.m. ET first pitch as the first $3 midweek matchup of the season. General admission tickets, hot dogs, beers, popcorn and nachos are all specially priced at $3.