2024 / AS A SENIOR
• Academic All-Big Ten
• After converting to a sidearm delivery in the fall, pitched in a team-high 26 games – all in relief
• Ranked third in the Big Ten in appearances
• Gave Purdue more than an inning in 16 of his appearances
• Allowed only six of 23 inherited runners to score, including stranding all 12 of his inherited runners in Big Ten play
• Earned two wins and three saves, all in the second half of the season
• Pitched in half (12) of Purdue’s Big Ten games, including eight of the final 12
• Surrendered only 30 hits in 38 2/3 innings – good for 6.98 hits per nine innings and a .208 batting average against
• Was even stingier in Big Ten play – 11 hits in 17 2/3 innings (5.6 H/9, .175 B/Avg), posting a top-10 hits per nine mark in team history on conference weekends
• His hits per nine innings mark in Big Ten play was good eighth place on Purdue’s single-season list (minimum 15 IP)
• Made two relief appearances in each of the final five series of the season
• Also worked a scoreless inning of relief as Purdue’s final pitcher in the Big Ten Tournament game vs. Nebraska
• Retired all four batters he faced to close out the series-opening shutout at Michigan
• Struck out four over two innings of one-hit ball in the win vs. Northwestern at Wrigley Field
• Made six appearances during Purdue’s 11-game Big Ten win streak, striking out 12 over a combined 9 2/3 innings of four-hit ball
• Led the way as Purdue went 12-3 in the month of April, posting a 2.35 ERA and .143 batting average against over 15 1/3 innings (9 app)
• Earned an expanded role in the bullpen after working eight innings of one-run ball over five appearances during the 13-game homestand
• Also struck out four in a three-inning save while closing out the road win at UIC
• Helped extend the home game vs. UIC into 14 innings when he pounced on a two-out swinging bunt to keep the go-ahead run from scoring in the 11th inning
• Gave Purdue five outs in consecutive Big Ten games – the series finale at Northwestern and series opener vs. Indiana – to earn the victory in both games
• Closed out the series-opening win vs. Michigan State after stranding the bases loaded in the eighth inning
• Had 19 strikeouts vs. nine hits allowed in 13 innings in true road games, posting a 1.64 ERA and .108 batting average against over 11 innings during the team’s nine-game road win streak
• Earned his bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership in May
2023 / AS A JUNIOR
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in nine games, all in relief
• Returned from injury and made his first appearance since May 2021 in game 3 of the season-opening weekend
• Closed out wins at Minnesota and vs. Butler with scoreless ninth innings
• Needed only seven pitches for a 1-2-3 inning at UIC in the midweek finale on May 10
• Struck out a pair in appearances vs. Akron, NIU, Minnesota and Butler
2022 / REDSHIRT SEASON
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Did not see action due to offseason elbow surgery
2021 / AS A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (42-GAME CONFERENCE-ONLY SEASON)
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in nine games, all in relief
• Was shut down for the final two weekends of the season due to elbow soreness
• Worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out the April 18 win at Illinois
• Recorded another save by getting the final two outs of the April 3 win vs. Iowa
• Stranded a pair of inherited runners while retiring all four batters he faced in the series finale at Maryland
• Worked hitless innings of relief against Nebraska, Michigan and Ohio State
• Was not charged with a run until his April 24 outing vs. Illinois
• Selected to serve as a Boiler SAAC team representative during the 2021-22 school year
BEFORE PURDUE
• Attended St. John’s University during the 2019-20 school year, redshirting after not seeing game action before the season was shut down in March
• Played travel ball for the East Coast Lumberjacks on Long Island
HIGH SCHOOL
• Four-year varsity letterwinner for coach Tom Maggiolino at Whitesboro High School in Upstate New York
• Also played three years of varsity basketball
• Central New York and Mohawk Valley Player of the Year as a senior
• Set a school record for strikeouts his senior year
• Also first-team All-Mohawk Valley and All-Central New York as a junior
• Starting pitcher on varsity as a freshman
• Led Whitesboro to a final four appearance in the state playoffs as a sophomore
• Helped WHS win Section 3 championships as a sophomore and senior, returning to the regional finals in 2019
• Ranked as New York's No. 1 first baseman among his class by Perfect Game
PERSONAL
• Major: Communication & Leadership Graduate Certificate; earned his bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership
• Full name is Avery James Cook
• Born in Utica, New York
• Parents are Bob and Alyssa Cook
• Family also includes younger siblings Ryan and Addison
• Dad played baseball at University of New Haven and in the independent Northeast League; he works as a baseball instructor
PURDUE PERSONAL PREFERENCES
Favorite Pro Team: New York Yankees
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Boston Red Sox
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Bob Cook, Father
Favorite Marquee Sporting Event: March Madness
Favorite Pro Stadium: Yankee Stadium
Favorite Field He's Played At (Besides Alexander): Marlins Park
Current MLB Hitter He'd Like to Face: Gary Sanchez
Funniest Teammate: Jake Jarvis
Celebrity Crush: Peyton List
Podcast He Subscribes To: Momentum
In His Favorite Playlist: Whiskey Myers
Would Love to See Him Play at Purdue: Morgan Wallen
Favorite Multi-Media App: Snapchat
Favorite Super-Hero: Spiderman
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Cobra Kai
Favorite Video Game: Call of Duty
Favorite Month: July
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Pick One -- Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Dinner
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Dessert: Tiramisu
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Camping
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Basketball
Favorite Big City: New York
Unique Travel Locale: Las Vegas
Country He'd Like to Visit: Australia
Pick One for a Trip -- Beaches or Mountains: Beaches
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: The playing surface
Favorite Thing About College Baseball: The competitiveness and the friends you bond with
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Winning section 3 championship
Enjoyed This Professor's Class: Stephen Elliot, Technology, Leadership & Innovation
Furry Friend: Nala, Husky
• Academic All-Big Ten
• After converting to a sidearm delivery in the fall, pitched in a team-high 26 games – all in relief
• Ranked third in the Big Ten in appearances
• Gave Purdue more than an inning in 16 of his appearances
• Allowed only six of 23 inherited runners to score, including stranding all 12 of his inherited runners in Big Ten play
• Earned two wins and three saves, all in the second half of the season
• Pitched in half (12) of Purdue’s Big Ten games, including eight of the final 12
• Surrendered only 30 hits in 38 2/3 innings – good for 6.98 hits per nine innings and a .208 batting average against
• Was even stingier in Big Ten play – 11 hits in 17 2/3 innings (5.6 H/9, .175 B/Avg), posting a top-10 hits per nine mark in team history on conference weekends
• His hits per nine innings mark in Big Ten play was good eighth place on Purdue’s single-season list (minimum 15 IP)
• Made two relief appearances in each of the final five series of the season
• Also worked a scoreless inning of relief as Purdue’s final pitcher in the Big Ten Tournament game vs. Nebraska
• Retired all four batters he faced to close out the series-opening shutout at Michigan
• Struck out four over two innings of one-hit ball in the win vs. Northwestern at Wrigley Field
• Made six appearances during Purdue’s 11-game Big Ten win streak, striking out 12 over a combined 9 2/3 innings of four-hit ball
• Led the way as Purdue went 12-3 in the month of April, posting a 2.35 ERA and .143 batting average against over 15 1/3 innings (9 app)
• Earned an expanded role in the bullpen after working eight innings of one-run ball over five appearances during the 13-game homestand
• Also struck out four in a three-inning save while closing out the road win at UIC
• Helped extend the home game vs. UIC into 14 innings when he pounced on a two-out swinging bunt to keep the go-ahead run from scoring in the 11th inning
• Gave Purdue five outs in consecutive Big Ten games – the series finale at Northwestern and series opener vs. Indiana – to earn the victory in both games
• Closed out the series-opening win vs. Michigan State after stranding the bases loaded in the eighth inning
• Had 19 strikeouts vs. nine hits allowed in 13 innings in true road games, posting a 1.64 ERA and .108 batting average against over 11 innings during the team’s nine-game road win streak
• Earned his bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership in May
2023 / AS A JUNIOR
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in nine games, all in relief
• Returned from injury and made his first appearance since May 2021 in game 3 of the season-opening weekend
• Closed out wins at Minnesota and vs. Butler with scoreless ninth innings
• Needed only seven pitches for a 1-2-3 inning at UIC in the midweek finale on May 10
• Struck out a pair in appearances vs. Akron, NIU, Minnesota and Butler
2022 / REDSHIRT SEASON
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Did not see action due to offseason elbow surgery
2021 / AS A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (42-GAME CONFERENCE-ONLY SEASON)
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in nine games, all in relief
• Was shut down for the final two weekends of the season due to elbow soreness
• Worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out the April 18 win at Illinois
• Recorded another save by getting the final two outs of the April 3 win vs. Iowa
• Stranded a pair of inherited runners while retiring all four batters he faced in the series finale at Maryland
• Worked hitless innings of relief against Nebraska, Michigan and Ohio State
• Was not charged with a run until his April 24 outing vs. Illinois
• Selected to serve as a Boiler SAAC team representative during the 2021-22 school year
BEFORE PURDUE
• Attended St. John’s University during the 2019-20 school year, redshirting after not seeing game action before the season was shut down in March
• Played travel ball for the East Coast Lumberjacks on Long Island
HIGH SCHOOL
• Four-year varsity letterwinner for coach Tom Maggiolino at Whitesboro High School in Upstate New York
• Also played three years of varsity basketball
• Central New York and Mohawk Valley Player of the Year as a senior
• Set a school record for strikeouts his senior year
• Also first-team All-Mohawk Valley and All-Central New York as a junior
• Starting pitcher on varsity as a freshman
• Led Whitesboro to a final four appearance in the state playoffs as a sophomore
• Helped WHS win Section 3 championships as a sophomore and senior, returning to the regional finals in 2019
• Ranked as New York's No. 1 first baseman among his class by Perfect Game
PERSONAL
• Major: Communication & Leadership Graduate Certificate; earned his bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership
• Full name is Avery James Cook
• Born in Utica, New York
• Parents are Bob and Alyssa Cook
• Family also includes younger siblings Ryan and Addison
• Dad played baseball at University of New Haven and in the independent Northeast League; he works as a baseball instructor
PURDUE PERSONAL PREFERENCES
Favorite Pro Team: New York Yankees
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Boston Red Sox
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Bob Cook, Father
Favorite Marquee Sporting Event: March Madness
Favorite Pro Stadium: Yankee Stadium
Favorite Field He's Played At (Besides Alexander): Marlins Park
Current MLB Hitter He'd Like to Face: Gary Sanchez
Funniest Teammate: Jake Jarvis
Celebrity Crush: Peyton List
Podcast He Subscribes To: Momentum
In His Favorite Playlist: Whiskey Myers
Would Love to See Him Play at Purdue: Morgan Wallen
Favorite Multi-Media App: Snapchat
Favorite Super-Hero: Spiderman
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Cobra Kai
Favorite Video Game: Call of Duty
Favorite Month: July
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Pick One -- Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Dinner
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Dessert: Tiramisu
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Camping
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Basketball
Favorite Big City: New York
Unique Travel Locale: Las Vegas
Country He'd Like to Visit: Australia
Pick One for a Trip -- Beaches or Mountains: Beaches
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: The playing surface
Favorite Thing About College Baseball: The competitiveness and the friends you bond with
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Winning section 3 championship
Enjoyed This Professor's Class: Stephen Elliot, Technology, Leadership & Innovation
Furry Friend: Nala, Husky