SEATTLE – Cole Van Assen kept Washington off the scoreboard until the sixth inning to help Purdue Baseball takes its first lead in more than a week, but the Huskies won the game 5-3 on a walk-off, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth Sunday.
The Boilermakers (20-11, 3-9 Big Ten) lost on a walk-off homer in Big Ten play for the second year in a row. They dropped their seventh straight game overall and have been swept in consecutive weekend series for the first time since May 2019. However, after losing on the walk-off homer in game 2 at Ohio State last season, Purdue reeled off an 11-game win streak in Big Ten play.
CJ Richmond connected for a solo home run off the batter's eye to extend the Boilers' lead to 2-0 in the sixth inning. The slugger returned to the lineup this weekend after missing all of March due to a broken hamate bone in his wrist, making Sunday's blast his first in Big Ten play.
But UW outscored the visitors 5-1 the rest of the way. Saturday, the Huskies (16-17, 8-4 Big Ten) scored all five of their runs in the first three innings. Braeden Terry (2-for-3, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 2 R) hit the walk-off home run to right field moments after Purdue went to the bullpen for a fresh arm with the winning run on first base. Closer Avery Cook had thrown a season-high 74 pitches while facing 16 batters over three innings, replacing Van Assen with one out in the bottom of the sixth.
Brandon Anderson delivered a game-tying single in the eighth inning after Washington had taken its first lead with two runs in the previous frame. A bloop single, three walks and an untimely balk populated the rally for UW on the fourth time through the lineup. The Boilermakers were called for four balks in the series after being charged with just two over their first 28 games. Terry drew the bases-loaded walk that forced home the tying run.
Van Assen pitched into the sixth inning for the second time this season, departing after an RBI single with one out. Van Assen and Michael Vallone, who struck out 10 over 5 1/3 innings of relief in Saturday's game, teamed up for 10 consecutive scoreless innings across the two games. Van Assen did not have a true 1-2-3 inning Sunday, but the sophomore pitched well out of the stretch and did not surrender multiple hits in an inning until the bottom of the sixth.
Doubles from Lukas Cook and Logan Sutter led to the game's first run in the fourth inning. Although Cook was unable to score on Sutter's double, Aaron Manias followed with an RBI ground out. Cook extended his on-base streak to 10 consecutive games and has been on base in eight straight games in Big Ten play.
Purdue had not held a lead since the fourth inning of the March 28 loss to UCLA, a streak of 52 consecutive frames. The Boilermakers struck out 38 times over 27 innings in Seattle and have scored just 12 runs over their last five games.
Purdue is back in action Tuesday when it hosts Indiana State for a midweek rematch at Alexander Field. The $3 midweek deals (presented by Indiana Packers) on general admission tickets, hot dogs, beer, popcorn and nachos will be available. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. ET.
The Boilermakers (20-11, 3-9 Big Ten) lost on a walk-off homer in Big Ten play for the second year in a row. They dropped their seventh straight game overall and have been swept in consecutive weekend series for the first time since May 2019. However, after losing on the walk-off homer in game 2 at Ohio State last season, Purdue reeled off an 11-game win streak in Big Ten play.
CJ Richmond connected for a solo home run off the batter's eye to extend the Boilers' lead to 2-0 in the sixth inning. The slugger returned to the lineup this weekend after missing all of March due to a broken hamate bone in his wrist, making Sunday's blast his first in Big Ten play.
But UW outscored the visitors 5-1 the rest of the way. Saturday, the Huskies (16-17, 8-4 Big Ten) scored all five of their runs in the first three innings. Braeden Terry (2-for-3, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 2 R) hit the walk-off home run to right field moments after Purdue went to the bullpen for a fresh arm with the winning run on first base. Closer Avery Cook had thrown a season-high 74 pitches while facing 16 batters over three innings, replacing Van Assen with one out in the bottom of the sixth.
Brandon Anderson delivered a game-tying single in the eighth inning after Washington had taken its first lead with two runs in the previous frame. A bloop single, three walks and an untimely balk populated the rally for UW on the fourth time through the lineup. The Boilermakers were called for four balks in the series after being charged with just two over their first 28 games. Terry drew the bases-loaded walk that forced home the tying run.
Van Assen pitched into the sixth inning for the second time this season, departing after an RBI single with one out. Van Assen and Michael Vallone, who struck out 10 over 5 1/3 innings of relief in Saturday's game, teamed up for 10 consecutive scoreless innings across the two games. Van Assen did not have a true 1-2-3 inning Sunday, but the sophomore pitched well out of the stretch and did not surrender multiple hits in an inning until the bottom of the sixth.
Doubles from Lukas Cook and Logan Sutter led to the game's first run in the fourth inning. Although Cook was unable to score on Sutter's double, Aaron Manias followed with an RBI ground out. Cook extended his on-base streak to 10 consecutive games and has been on base in eight straight games in Big Ten play.
Purdue had not held a lead since the fourth inning of the March 28 loss to UCLA, a streak of 52 consecutive frames. The Boilermakers struck out 38 times over 27 innings in Seattle and have scored just 12 runs over their last five games.
Purdue is back in action Tuesday when it hosts Indiana State for a midweek rematch at Alexander Field. The $3 midweek deals (presented by Indiana Packers) on general admission tickets, hot dogs, beer, popcorn and nachos will be available. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. ET.