WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Mike Bolton Jr. stole his 71st career base to eclipse Purdue baseball's all-time record but the Boilermakers were kept off the scoreboard until the sixth inning on a night in which they were limited to five hits in an 8-4 loss at the hands of Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday at Alexander Field.
Bolton drew three free passes and got his opportunity to steal second base in the fifth inning, sliding in safely without a throw to officially become the most accomplished base stealer in team history. The senior eclipsed Dave Scheitlin's record that had stood since 1991. With 25 steals this year, including 10 in the last eight games, Bolton has taken over as the league leader in the Big Ten. He's also the conference's active career leader with 71.
The Boilermakers (19-21) trailed 8-0 in the bottom of the sixth when they finally came up with a timely hit, a two-run single from CJ Valdez. Purdue had stranded five base runners over the previous three innings. Couper Cornblum doubled in a run as the Boilers scored twice more in the seventh inning, but they were unable to bring the tying run to the plate.
Cal Lambert enjoyed his finest outing of the season, striking out four while retiring eight in a row and nine of 10 over three innings of hitless relief.
The Redhawks (14-29) built their lead via a pair of inning-opening home runs and a two-out, two-run double. Cooper Weiss and Tommy Harrison hit the home runs in their second looks at Carter Doorn. Evan Appelwick's two-run double made it 3-0 after Doorn had induced a 4-6-3 double play in the top of the third but was unable to finish off the frame.
Miami extended its lead by capitalizing on a pair of two-on, no-out opportunities – scoring twice in both the fifth and sixth innings.
Starter Martin Sosna and reliever Connor Preisel teamed up for eight innings of two-hit ball for the visitors. Preisel squashed Purdue's thoughts of a comeback, retiring eight of the 10 batters he faced while closing out the game. Seven of the nine Boilermakers to face Miami reliever Tyler Galyean reached base safely but the lefthander did induce an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play in the bottom of the sixth. The only hit Sosna allowed was a leadoff single to Valdez in the third inning.
STREAKS EXTENDED WEDNESDAY
• Connor Caskenette (Single, HBP) – 18-game on-base streak; 11-game hit streak; 10-game hit streak at Alexander
• Jake Parr (Walk, HBP) – 14-game on-base streak; 8-game on-base streak at Alexander
• Paul Toetz (2 Walks) – 12-game on-base streak; 8-game on-base streak at Alexander
• Couper Cornblum (2-for-5, RBI) – 7-game hit streak; 6-game RBI streak
The Boilermakers' season-long, eight-game homestand continues Friday vs. Rutgers. The series opener of weekend No. 6 of Big Ten play is slated for a 6 p.m. ET first pitch.
Bolton drew three free passes and got his opportunity to steal second base in the fifth inning, sliding in safely without a throw to officially become the most accomplished base stealer in team history. The senior eclipsed Dave Scheitlin's record that had stood since 1991. With 25 steals this year, including 10 in the last eight games, Bolton has taken over as the league leader in the Big Ten. He's also the conference's active career leader with 71.
The Boilermakers (19-21) trailed 8-0 in the bottom of the sixth when they finally came up with a timely hit, a two-run single from CJ Valdez. Purdue had stranded five base runners over the previous three innings. Couper Cornblum doubled in a run as the Boilers scored twice more in the seventh inning, but they were unable to bring the tying run to the plate.
Cal Lambert enjoyed his finest outing of the season, striking out four while retiring eight in a row and nine of 10 over three innings of hitless relief.
Best look at Bolt's big moment. Love it that he broke the record at Alexander.
— Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) April 27, 2023
⚡️ @Mike_Bolton01 x #BoilerUp 👑 pic.twitter.com/fkjlsYFAvo
The Redhawks (14-29) built their lead via a pair of inning-opening home runs and a two-out, two-run double. Cooper Weiss and Tommy Harrison hit the home runs in their second looks at Carter Doorn. Evan Appelwick's two-run double made it 3-0 after Doorn had induced a 4-6-3 double play in the top of the third but was unable to finish off the frame.
Miami extended its lead by capitalizing on a pair of two-on, no-out opportunities – scoring twice in both the fifth and sixth innings.
Starter Martin Sosna and reliever Connor Preisel teamed up for eight innings of two-hit ball for the visitors. Preisel squashed Purdue's thoughts of a comeback, retiring eight of the 10 batters he faced while closing out the game. Seven of the nine Boilermakers to face Miami reliever Tyler Galyean reached base safely but the lefthander did induce an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play in the bottom of the sixth. The only hit Sosna allowed was a leadoff single to Valdez in the third inning.
STREAKS EXTENDED WEDNESDAY
• Connor Caskenette (Single, HBP) – 18-game on-base streak; 11-game hit streak; 10-game hit streak at Alexander
• Jake Parr (Walk, HBP) – 14-game on-base streak; 8-game on-base streak at Alexander
• Paul Toetz (2 Walks) – 12-game on-base streak; 8-game on-base streak at Alexander
• Couper Cornblum (2-for-5, RBI) – 7-game hit streak; 6-game RBI streak
The Boilermakers' season-long, eight-game homestand continues Friday vs. Rutgers. The series opener of weekend No. 6 of Big Ten play is slated for a 6 p.m. ET first pitch.
Pregame scenes before taking the field for the 40th time this season. #BoilerUp @PurdueStein 📸@JacksnDannelley @Mike_Bolton01 @Cameront4224 @PubGilchrist @Aaron_Suval pic.twitter.com/cit4RbTAaC
— Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) April 26, 2023