SUGAR LAND, Texas – Westin Boyle posted the first four-hit game by a Purdue freshman since 2018 and Jackson Greer struck out the side in the ninth inning with the go-ahead run at the plate, leading the Boilermakers to a 10-7 series-clinching win vs. Portland on Sunday at Constellation Field.
CJ Richmond and Aaron Manias both hit solo homers as Purdue (2-1) scored in four consecutive frames early and six of its eight innings at the plate overall.
The Boilermakers trailed 1-0, 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4 at various points in the day, but took the lead for good with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. Purdue then blew it open with a four-spot in the following frame. It proved to be a key rally after Portland (1-2) loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the ninth and rolled over its lineup with the game on the line.
Boyle’s opposite-field triple in the fifth inning and game-tying RBI double in the bottom of the seventh headlined his four-hit day. He also delivered a two-run single to cap the scoring in the Boilers’ four-run eighth. Ben Nisle was Purdue’s last freshman with a four-hit game, accomplishing the feat in an NCAA Regional win in June 2018. Friday, Boyle also joined Nisle as the Boilermakers’ last true freshman to start on Opening Day.
Greer entered the game after a bases-loaded walk cut Purdue’s lead to 10-6 with no outs in the ninth inning. He struck out the Pilots’ No. 2, 4 and 5 hitters to close out the victory.
As a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, Zach Zychowski delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded in his first at-bat as a Boilermaker. He joined Manias as Purdue players with a two-run pinch-hit single in the series.
SERIES LEADERS
• CJ Richmond: 5-for-9, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB, 2 HBP, 2 R, SB
• Westin Boyle: 6-for-11, 2 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 4 R, Sac Bunt
• Aaron Manias: 4-for-9, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
• Sam Flores: 3-for-11, 2 RBI, HBP, SB
• Zach Erdman: 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
• Cole Van Assen: 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
• Thomas Howard: 2 App, 3 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K
• Jackson Greer: 2 App, 1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K
Moments after Portland had taken a 5-4 lead on a two-out RBI single, Dylan Drake led off the bottom half of the frame by hitting the first pitch to the wall in right center for a double. After a sacrifice bunt from pinch hitter Sergio DeCello, Boyle connected for a double into the left field corner to tie the game. Boyle scored the go-ahead run when the Portland shortstop was unable to make the play on a two-out ground ball.
Defensively, Boyle and Drake teamed up to turn inning-ending double plays in both the third and fourth innings. Jarvis Evans rolled up both twin killings in his first start as a Boilermaker. Evans conceded only four hits over five innings but all four went for extra bases, including a trio of home runs to right field on a day in which the wind was blowing out in that direction.
Eli Anderson beat out an infield single in the third inning to extend his hit streak to 15 consecutive games dating back to April 2025.
Richmond and Manias hit safely in all three games of the series. Richmond led off the second inning with a no-doubter to center field, connecting for Purdue’s first home run of the season. Manias went deep to right center with two outs in the fourth inning. Both veteran hitters singled in the bottom of the eighth as the Boilermakers opened the frame with six consecutive productive plate appearances. Zychowski took advantage of a drawn-in infield with a base hit back through the box.
Graham Kollen worked a scoreless sixth inning on just eight pitches in his Purdue debut, with catcher Ross Highfill throwing out a pinch runner trying to steal second to end the frame.
Jake Kramer rolled through the Pilots’ 4-5-6 hitters in 1-2-3 fashion in the top of the eighth, keeping the momentum in the third base dugout after the Boilermakers had taken their first lead since it was 2-1. Kramer returned to the mound for the ninth, but not before an extended break as Purdue sent nine men to the plate. Portland rallied with two singles and two walks, leading to Greer getting the call to nail down the save. The ball was not put in play over the five batters of the game (2 walks, 3 Ks).
The Boilermakers used 22 players in the victory.
Purdue improved to 16-3 all-time at Constellation Field, including 5-0 on Sundays. The Boilermakers have won each of their five series played at the Triple-A stadium dating back to 2022.
Purdue continues its season-opening seven-game road trip in Texas Wednesday with a midweek matchup at Rice. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. ET live on ESPN+.
Boyle's 4-Hit Game, Homers from Richmond & Manias Power Purdue
