WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue baseball left the bases loaded three times, stranding 14 runners total on the night in a 4-3 loss to IPFW on Tuesday evening at Alexander Field.
The Mastodons (24-24) took an early lead on a three-run homer by Greg Kaiser in the top of the first before an out was recorded. The Boilermakers' nine-game win streak in the series was snapped as IPFW posted its first victory against Purdue (7-38) since 2009 and its first-ever victory in West Lafayette.
The game was halted by a 70-minute lightning delay in the bottom of the second inning with the Mastodons leading 3-1. The Boilermakers' starting pitcher was already out of the game at that point. Eddie De LaRiva (1-1) was lifted in the top of the first after only retiring one of the five batters he faced. The Purdue bullpen worked 8 2/3 innings of one-run relief, retiring 24 of 30 batters faced while surrendering just five hits and a walk.
The Boilermakers left the bases loaded in the first, seventh and ninth innings. Down by a run in the bottom of the seventh, Purdue loaded the bases with no outs but did not score. The Boilermakers have left at least nine runners on base in each of the last six games, stranding 62 total runners during that stretch. Purdue was 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position Tuesday, falling to 1-11 in one-run games this season.
A walk to pinch hitter Daniel Sander and a two-out double on the chalk down the left field line from Alec Olund gave the Boilermakers a final chance in the ninth inning. IPFW chose to intentionally walk Cody Strong to load the bases, but Jack Picchiotti flew out the center field on the first pitch to end the game.
Here are the highlights from tonight's 4-3 loss to IPFW. Boilers back at it Friday at 7 vs. Minnesota https://t.co/0jTMQIHnAq
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) May 11, 2016
Brian Ghiselli pitched three 1-2-3 frames over 4 2/3 innings of one-run relief. Tanner Schumacher followed him with three scoreless innings, working a 1-2-3 top of the sixth and erasing a leadoff single the next inning by inducing a 4-6-3 double play.
Brett Carlson singled twice and walked while batting leadoff for the first time this season. He delivered a two-out RBI single in the fourth inning as Purdue took advantage of consecutive walks to begin the frame. Stephen Kalina and Strong teamed up to reach base safely twice apiece from the seven hole in the lineup.
Nick Dalesandro delivered a two-out RBI single in the first inning, but later struck out swinging with the bases loaded for the second out of the seventh inning. Dalesandro has hit safely in eight consecutive games, his third hitting streak of at least eight games this season.
The Mastodons recorded a key out at second base in the eighth inning. Catcher Jonathan Reece cut down Ted Snidanko on the back side of the play for the second out of the frame as Strong took third on a pitch in the dirt. Snidanko had been hit by a pitch moments earlier. IPFW pitchers issued 11 free passes (8 walks, 3 HBP) on the night.
Purdue's starting pitcher failed to make it through the first inning for the fifth time this season.
The Boilermakers return to action Wednesday for a 4 p.m. ET game at Valparaiso.
Some wild looking clouds rolling in from the west & passing just north of Alexander Field. Lightning delay ☇ ☇ ☠☠pic.twitter.com/Oe41fJpOqU
-- Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) May 10, 2016