WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – As the only Boilermaker to record an RBI in the game, Connor Caskenette's fourth five-RBI effort of the season powered Purdue Baseball to an 11th consecutive win in Big Ten play with a 7-4 victory vs. rival Indiana on Friday at Alexander Field.
The Boilermakers (31-15, 12-4) won their sixth consecutive game overall and moved into sole possession of first place in the Big Ten after Ohio State handed Illinois only its second home loss of the season Friday. Purdue's 11-game win streak in Big Ten play now stands alone as a program record and the longest in the conference since Michigan opened league play 11-0 in 2018.
The Boilermakers did not trail for a full frame (top and bottom) for the sixth consecutive game and eighth straight in Big Ten play – a streak that now stands at 72 straight innings against conference rivals. Purdue also has victories against five different foes – Ohio State, Rutgers, Michigan State, Northwestern and Indiana – during its long Big Ten win streak.
Caskenette connected for a two-run double in the first inning and a two-out, two-run single to break a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the seventh. He also drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the eighth inning as the Boilermakers scored three insurance runs to extend their lead. Caskenette has 15 RBI in the last three games and a Big Ten-best 65 for the season, moving into fourth place on the program's single-season list. His double was Purdue's lone extra-base hit of the night.
Mike Bolton Jr. reached base safely in four of his five plate appearances. He opened the night with a leadoff walk, igniting a first-inning rally for the eighth straight game.
Off the bench, Ty Gill and Logan Sutter both reached base safely to begin an inning and in doing so helped Purdue score five times over its final two frames at the plate. Sutter singled in both of his at-bats, joining Breck Nowik, Couper Cornblum and Caskenette with a pair of hits.
STREAKS EXTENDED
• Mike Bolton Jr. – 25-game on-base streak; 22-game on-base streak in Big Ten play (since 4/29/23); 15-game on-base streak at home; 10-game hit streak in Big Ten play; reached base safely to begin a game in 8 straight contests
• Connor Caskenette – 9-game hit streak in Big Ten play; 14-game on-base streak in Big Ten play; hit safely, drove in a run in 6 consecutive games (all games)
• Keenan Spence – 9-game on-base streak at home
• Ty Gill – 9-game on-base streak at home
• Couper Cornblum – 98 consecutive games started (since start of 2023)
A replay review proved to be a key moment in the game, with an overturned call helping bring Caskenette to the plate in the bottom of the seventh. Camden Gasser beat a relay throw to first base to stay out of an inning-ending 6-3 double play. Although he was initially called out at first, it was quickly overturned on review. Caskenette came to the plate with runners on the corners and one out. The Hoosiers' Brayden Risedorph put Caskenette in an 0-2 count, but IU (25-19-1, 10-6 Big Ten) gave Gasser second on an uncontested stolen base on ball one and Caskenette hit a 2-2 pitch up the middle to put the Boilermakers ahead to stay.
The game ended on an unexpected out at second base as Brock Tibbitts unwisely tried to catch Purdue napping and steal second before Aaron Suval delivered a pitch. Suval stepped off the mound and threw to Gasser covering the bag for the 27th out of the night.
Avery Cook (2-1) retired the first five batters he faced as the first man out of the bullpen in relief of Morales. Suval earned his seventh career save while being on the mound for the game's final five outs.
The Boilermakers improved to 6-2 vs. their rivals at Alexander Field since the stadium opened in 2013.
Game 2 of the series is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.
The Boilermakers (31-15, 12-4) won their sixth consecutive game overall and moved into sole possession of first place in the Big Ten after Ohio State handed Illinois only its second home loss of the season Friday. Purdue's 11-game win streak in Big Ten play now stands alone as a program record and the longest in the conference since Michigan opened league play 11-0 in 2018.
The Boilermakers did not trail for a full frame (top and bottom) for the sixth consecutive game and eighth straight in Big Ten play – a streak that now stands at 72 straight innings against conference rivals. Purdue also has victories against five different foes – Ohio State, Rutgers, Michigan State, Northwestern and Indiana – during its long Big Ten win streak.
Caskenette connected for a two-run double in the first inning and a two-out, two-run single to break a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the seventh. He also drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the eighth inning as the Boilermakers scored three insurance runs to extend their lead. Caskenette has 15 RBI in the last three games and a Big Ten-best 65 for the season, moving into fourth place on the program's single-season list. His double was Purdue's lone extra-base hit of the night.
Jordan Morales gave the Boilermakers another quality outing, striking out five over 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball. The lefty threw only 72 pitches and posted four consecutive zeros, retiring 11 of 12 batters from the second through fifth innings.Good as Gold in the Full Black ⚫️🟡#BoilerUp x @B1Gbaseball x #BoilermakerBlackout pic.twitter.com/De1zODbQUd
— Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) May 3, 2024
Mike Bolton Jr. reached base safely in four of his five plate appearances. He opened the night with a leadoff walk, igniting a first-inning rally for the eighth straight game.
Off the bench, Ty Gill and Logan Sutter both reached base safely to begin an inning and in doing so helped Purdue score five times over its final two frames at the plate. Sutter singled in both of his at-bats, joining Breck Nowik, Couper Cornblum and Caskenette with a pair of hits.
STREAKS EXTENDED
• Mike Bolton Jr. – 25-game on-base streak; 22-game on-base streak in Big Ten play (since 4/29/23); 15-game on-base streak at home; 10-game hit streak in Big Ten play; reached base safely to begin a game in 8 straight contests
• Connor Caskenette – 9-game hit streak in Big Ten play; 14-game on-base streak in Big Ten play; hit safely, drove in a run in 6 consecutive games (all games)
• Keenan Spence – 9-game on-base streak at home
• Ty Gill – 9-game on-base streak at home
• Couper Cornblum – 98 consecutive games started (since start of 2023)
A replay review proved to be a key moment in the game, with an overturned call helping bring Caskenette to the plate in the bottom of the seventh. Camden Gasser beat a relay throw to first base to stay out of an inning-ending 6-3 double play. Although he was initially called out at first, it was quickly overturned on review. Caskenette came to the plate with runners on the corners and one out. The Hoosiers' Brayden Risedorph put Caskenette in an 0-2 count, but IU (25-19-1, 10-6 Big Ten) gave Gasser second on an uncontested stolen base on ball one and Caskenette hit a 2-2 pitch up the middle to put the Boilermakers ahead to stay.
The game ended on an unexpected out at second base as Brock Tibbitts unwisely tried to catch Purdue napping and steal second before Aaron Suval delivered a pitch. Suval stepped off the mound and threw to Gasser covering the bag for the 27th out of the night.
Avery Cook (2-1) retired the first five batters he faced as the first man out of the bullpen in relief of Morales. Suval earned his seventh career save while being on the mound for the game's final five outs.
The Boilermakers improved to 6-2 vs. their rivals at Alexander Field since the stadium opened in 2013.
Game 2 of the series is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.
🗣️ @Caskenette_: "When we have all these fans here, I want them to see a good baseball game. I want them to see us thrive & see us win." #BoilerUp #RunProducer 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pMAtVBTi6O
— Purdue Baseball (@PurdueBaseball) May 4, 2024