WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Baseball raced out to an early eight-run lead but Nebraska responded with 11 unanswered tallies to take the series opener 11-9 Thursday at Alexander Field.
Friday's game 2 of the series has been moved up to a 4 p.m. ET first pitch due to thunderstorms in the forecast after dark.
Purdue's loss coupled with Northwestern's win at UCLA officially eliminated the Boilermakers (30-22, 10-18 Big Ten) from Big Ten Tournament contention.
Purdue suffered its third loss of the season when leading by at least six runs – all three coming in Big Ten play. Thursday was the Boilers' third game since April 20 in which both teams scored at least eight unanswered runs. Fourteen of Purdue's last six 16 games have featured at least one team scoring five unanswered tallies.
Aaron Manias enjoyed a big night against his former team, homering off the batter's eye in center field as part of a three-hit effort and making a diving catch in foul territory down the left field line. Brandon Anderson also had three hits and scored three times.
Eli Anderson drove in three runs with a pair of singles, extending his hit streak to 11 consecutive games to match the longest of the season by a Boilermaker. Eli Anderson delivered a two-out RBI single vs. Nebraska closer Luke Broderick in the eighth inning, later stealing second base to give Purdue the tying run in scoring position. But Broderick got out of the jam and closed out the game for his Big Ten-leading 11th save.
STREAKS EXTENDED
• Eli Anderson: 11-game hit overall; 9-game hit in Big Ten play; 9-game on-base at home; 7-game hit at home
• CJ Richmond: 10-game on-base at home
• Keenan Spence: 8-game on-base at home; 6-game hit at home
• Brandon Anderson: 8-game on-base at home
The Boilermakers committed multiple errors for the first time since April 19. Nebraska (27-26, 14-14 Big Ten) took advantage of the extra outs, scoring seven unearned runs. Five of those unearned tallies came in a six-run fourth inning, a frame that ultimately changed the scope of the game as the Huskers cut Purdue's lead to 8-6. A pop up into short center field dropped with two outs the following frame, allowing the tying run to score for the visitors.
Dylan Carey's two-run single in the eighth inning broke an 8-8 tie and gave Nebraska its first lead of the night.
The big hit of the six-run fourth inning was a two-out, bases-clearing double from Cayden Brumbaugh. Right fielder Keenan Spence laid out going for a diving catch but the ball landed a few feet in front of his glove and bounded into the gap.
Five Nebraska relievers teamed up for seven innings of one-run ball, with that tally being unearned. The Husker bullpen surrendered just one free pass and none after the third inning.
Purdue sent nine men to the plate in the second inning, with the first seven batters enjoying a productive plate appearance. The Boilermakers posted their five-spot on the scoreboard without the luxury of an extra-base hit. Ty Gill delivered an RBI single and all three base runners advanced on Sergio DeCello's sacrifice fly to deep center field. Eli Anderson followed with a two-run single.
DeCello came through with a sacrifice fly and squeeze bunt in consecutive innings. When he squeezed home Brandon Anderson in the bottom of the third, the Boilermakers led 8-0.
Carter Doorn and Michael Vallone had teamed up as a 1-2 punch on the mound in most series openers this season. Purdue opted to flip their roles Thursday, with Vallone making his first start of the season at home and second overall. Vallone struck out the side in the second inning, fanned five of the first 13 batters he faced and six total. The lefty posted three consecutive zeros to begin the game but was unable to pitch over the fourth-inning error that helped load the bases for Brumbaugh.
Doorn pitched well in relief and could have posted three consecutive zeros if not for Purdue's defensive miscues in the top of the fifth. Doorn was charged with the loss after giving up a leadoff double in the eighth inning that led to the go-ahead run.
Friday's game 2 of the series has been moved up to a 4 p.m. ET first pitch due to thunderstorms in the forecast after dark.
Purdue's loss coupled with Northwestern's win at UCLA officially eliminated the Boilermakers (30-22, 10-18 Big Ten) from Big Ten Tournament contention.
Purdue suffered its third loss of the season when leading by at least six runs – all three coming in Big Ten play. Thursday was the Boilers' third game since April 20 in which both teams scored at least eight unanswered runs. Fourteen of Purdue's last six 16 games have featured at least one team scoring five unanswered tallies.
Aaron Manias enjoyed a big night against his former team, homering off the batter's eye in center field as part of a three-hit effort and making a diving catch in foul territory down the left field line. Brandon Anderson also had three hits and scored three times.
Eli Anderson drove in three runs with a pair of singles, extending his hit streak to 11 consecutive games to match the longest of the season by a Boilermaker. Eli Anderson delivered a two-out RBI single vs. Nebraska closer Luke Broderick in the eighth inning, later stealing second base to give Purdue the tying run in scoring position. But Broderick got out of the jam and closed out the game for his Big Ten-leading 11th save.
STREAKS EXTENDED
• Eli Anderson: 11-game hit overall; 9-game hit in Big Ten play; 9-game on-base at home; 7-game hit at home
• CJ Richmond: 10-game on-base at home
• Keenan Spence: 8-game on-base at home; 6-game hit at home
• Brandon Anderson: 8-game on-base at home
The Boilermakers committed multiple errors for the first time since April 19. Nebraska (27-26, 14-14 Big Ten) took advantage of the extra outs, scoring seven unearned runs. Five of those unearned tallies came in a six-run fourth inning, a frame that ultimately changed the scope of the game as the Huskers cut Purdue's lead to 8-6. A pop up into short center field dropped with two outs the following frame, allowing the tying run to score for the visitors.
Dylan Carey's two-run single in the eighth inning broke an 8-8 tie and gave Nebraska its first lead of the night.
The big hit of the six-run fourth inning was a two-out, bases-clearing double from Cayden Brumbaugh. Right fielder Keenan Spence laid out going for a diving catch but the ball landed a few feet in front of his glove and bounded into the gap.
Five Nebraska relievers teamed up for seven innings of one-run ball, with that tally being unearned. The Husker bullpen surrendered just one free pass and none after the third inning.
Purdue sent nine men to the plate in the second inning, with the first seven batters enjoying a productive plate appearance. The Boilermakers posted their five-spot on the scoreboard without the luxury of an extra-base hit. Ty Gill delivered an RBI single and all three base runners advanced on Sergio DeCello's sacrifice fly to deep center field. Eli Anderson followed with a two-run single.
DeCello came through with a sacrifice fly and squeeze bunt in consecutive innings. When he squeezed home Brandon Anderson in the bottom of the third, the Boilermakers led 8-0.
Carter Doorn and Michael Vallone had teamed up as a 1-2 punch on the mound in most series openers this season. Purdue opted to flip their roles Thursday, with Vallone making his first start of the season at home and second overall. Vallone struck out the side in the second inning, fanned five of the first 13 batters he faced and six total. The lefty posted three consecutive zeros to begin the game but was unable to pitch over the fourth-inning error that helped load the bases for Brumbaugh.
Doorn pitched well in relief and could have posted three consecutive zeros if not for Purdue's defensive miscues in the top of the fifth. Doorn was charged with the loss after giving up a leadoff double in the eighth inning that led to the go-ahead run.