Boilermakers Rally but Lose on a Walk-off vs. #20 Southern Miss

ROUND ROCK, Texas – A home run off the bat of Trey Swiderski and two-out, two-run single from Westin Boyle powered an eighth-inning comeback for Purdue Baseball, but No. 20 Southern Miss broke a stalemate in the bottom of the ninth to deal the Boilermakers a 5-4 defeat Friday in the opening game of the Round Rock Classic.

Purdue (2-3) lost in walk-off fashion for the first time since the series finale at Washington during the first weekend of April last season. After a leadoff walk and sacrifice bunt, Drey Barrett connected for a gapper to left center for the game-winning RBI.

Boyle singled in runs in the first and eighth innings as part of a three-hit, three-RBI game. The freshman had multiple hits for the third time in his first five collegiate games.

Swiderski became the first newcomer on Purdue’s roster to go deep this season, connecting for a solo shot to left field with one out in the top of the eighth.

Thomas Howard helped set the stage for the comeback with 3 2/3 innings of one-hit relief. He allowed a pair of inherited runners to score in the bottom of the fourth, but then posted three consecutive zeros across the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Purdue went back to the bullpen after tying the game with the three-spot in the top of the eighth.

The Boilermakers left the bases loaded in the sixth and ninth innings. The USM bullpen delivered some big outs after Purdue had the sacks packed with no outs in the top of the sixth and the go-ahead run at third with no outs in the ninth.

Eli Anderson opened the game with a two-strike single to extend his hit streak to 17 consecutive games dating back to April 2025. He promptly stole second, took third on a throwing error and scored on Boyle’s infield hit deep in the hole on the left side.

The Boilermakers kept the lead until USM (4-1) put four on the board in the bottom of the fourth, sending eight men to the plate. A pair of RBI doubles and a pair of sacrifice flies were the run-scoring plays during the extended rally.

Purdue starter Cole Van Assen gave up eight hits through 3 1/3 innings, seven being singles. After posting three consecutive zeros to give him seven straight scoreless innings to begin the campaign, a leadoff walk helped ignite USM’s rally in the bottom of the fourth. The Boilermakers went to the bullpen after an RBI single as Van Assen faced leadoff hitter Caleb Stelly for a third time.

Native Texan Sam Flores connected for a pair of doubles, giving Purdue runners on second and third with no outs in both the sixth and ninth innings. CJ Richmond (2-for-5) and Dylan Drake (2-for-3, 2B, BB, R) also had a pair of hits. Richmond has hit safely in each of the first five games this season. Both of his hits Friday were inning-opening singles in front of Flores’ doubles.

Quincy Malbrough made a nice sprawling catch in left field in the bottom of the sixth, his first half of inning of game action as a Boilermaker.

The teams combined for a Round Rock Classic record 25 runners left on base (14 for Purdue, 11 for USM). The Boilermakers’ 14 stranded runners were their most in a loss since also stranding 14 in a 10-inning defeat to Indiana State at home in April of last season.

Purdue used 20 players in the game, with all 16 position players making at least one plate appearance.

The Boilermakers are back in action Saturday when they take on Baylor (4-1) at 2 p.m. on day 2 of the Round Rock Classic. No. 11 Oregon State (4-1) defeated the Bears 3-1 in game 2 of the tournament Friday night.