CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Purdue Baseball batted around twice in a 14-run third inning, riding the program's most-prolific inning in 12 years to a 20-4 victory Sunday at Illinois.
The Boilermakers (25-18, 7-14 Big Ten) were victorious in a series finale to avoid a sweep for the second weekend in a row, scoring 19 unanswered runs one week after posting eight unanswered at Penn State. They won in run-rule fashion for the fourth time this season and snapped an 11-game losing streak vs. the Fighting Illini (25-16, 12-9 Big Ten) that dated back to April 2021.
Breck Nowik's two-run homer capped Purdue's 14-run inning as the only home run of the frame. He was one of seven Boilermakers to reach base safely twice in the inning, which was Purdue's biggest since scoring 15 times in the bottom of the second of an April 2013 home win vs. UIC. Nowik finished the day 3-for-5 with two doubles, the home run and a career-high five RBI – four coming in the third inning.
The Boilermakers' season-high run total marked the first time they scored 20 since racking up 21 in a home win vs. Michigan State in April of last season. Purdue also scored 20 in an April 2021 win at Illinois.
Michael Vallone worked consecutive 1-2-3 innings and did not surrender a hit over three scoreless frames after Purdue roared in front 15-3 with its 40-minute turn at the plate. The lefthander struck out six in his first start as a Boilermaker. Defensively, Purdue was not charged with an error in the series.
Illinois used four pitchers in the third inning, none recording more than one out in the frame. After not issuing a free pass while winning Saturday's 3-1 pitcher's duel, the Illini had 14 (7 walks, 7 HBP) over seven innings Sunday. With 118 hit by pitch this season, the Boilermakers have already eclipsed their program record for the second year in a row and third times in the last four seasons.
Purdue's first eight batters of the third inning reached base safely. Brandon Anderson and Eli Anderson – both singling twice – joined Nowik as Boilermakers to record multiple hits in the frame. Camden Gasser (single, HBP), Logan Sutter (HBP, walk), CJ Richmond (walk, two-run double) and Aaron Manias (walk, single) were also aboard safely twice. Manias had three RBI during the rally.
Along with Nowik's two-run double and two-run homer, the big hits were Houston Russell's RBI single off the left-center wall as well as bases-loaded hits from Richmond and Manias that both plated a pair of runs.
Gasser reached base safely five times while finishing the day 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Brandon Anderson (2-for-4, 2 HBP, 3 R) was also aboard safely five times, including four times to begin an inning.
Eli Anderson and Albert Choi both had four hits over the final two days of the series. Sunday, they teamed up with Nowik to make the 7-8-9 portion of Purdue's lineup 8-for-13 with nine RBI and six runs scored.
The Boilermakers are back in action Tuesday when they host Notre Dame for the opener of a five-game homestand. First pitch at Alexander Field is now set for 7 p.m. ET.
The Boilermakers (25-18, 7-14 Big Ten) were victorious in a series finale to avoid a sweep for the second weekend in a row, scoring 19 unanswered runs one week after posting eight unanswered at Penn State. They won in run-rule fashion for the fourth time this season and snapped an 11-game losing streak vs. the Fighting Illini (25-16, 12-9 Big Ten) that dated back to April 2021.
Breck Nowik's two-run homer capped Purdue's 14-run inning as the only home run of the frame. He was one of seven Boilermakers to reach base safely twice in the inning, which was Purdue's biggest since scoring 15 times in the bottom of the second of an April 2013 home win vs. UIC. Nowik finished the day 3-for-5 with two doubles, the home run and a career-high five RBI – four coming in the third inning.
The Boilermakers' season-high run total marked the first time they scored 20 since racking up 21 in a home win vs. Michigan State in April of last season. Purdue also scored 20 in an April 2021 win at Illinois.
Michael Vallone worked consecutive 1-2-3 innings and did not surrender a hit over three scoreless frames after Purdue roared in front 15-3 with its 40-minute turn at the plate. The lefthander struck out six in his first start as a Boilermaker. Defensively, Purdue was not charged with an error in the series.
Illinois used four pitchers in the third inning, none recording more than one out in the frame. After not issuing a free pass while winning Saturday's 3-1 pitcher's duel, the Illini had 14 (7 walks, 7 HBP) over seven innings Sunday. With 118 hit by pitch this season, the Boilermakers have already eclipsed their program record for the second year in a row and third times in the last four seasons.
Purdue's first eight batters of the third inning reached base safely. Brandon Anderson and Eli Anderson – both singling twice – joined Nowik as Boilermakers to record multiple hits in the frame. Camden Gasser (single, HBP), Logan Sutter (HBP, walk), CJ Richmond (walk, two-run double) and Aaron Manias (walk, single) were also aboard safely twice. Manias had three RBI during the rally.
Along with Nowik's two-run double and two-run homer, the big hits were Houston Russell's RBI single off the left-center wall as well as bases-loaded hits from Richmond and Manias that both plated a pair of runs.
Gasser reached base safely five times while finishing the day 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Brandon Anderson (2-for-4, 2 HBP, 3 R) was also aboard safely five times, including four times to begin an inning.
Eli Anderson and Albert Choi both had four hits over the final two days of the series. Sunday, they teamed up with Nowik to make the 7-8-9 portion of Purdue's lineup 8-for-13 with nine RBI and six runs scored.
The Boilermakers are back in action Tuesday when they host Notre Dame for the opener of a five-game homestand. First pitch at Alexander Field is now set for 7 p.m. ET.