CVA Goes 7 Strong but Boilers Drop 1-Run Affair at MSU

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Cole Van Assen worked a quartet of 1-2-3 innings all against the top of the lineup while matching his longest outing as a Boilermaker with a seven-inning quality start, but Purdue Baseball was limited to four hits in a 4-3 loss at Michigan State on Friday.

The sixth inning decided the game. After CJ Richmond’s RBI double brought the Boilermakers (17-8, 5-5 Big Ten) even at 3-3, MSU (9-15, 4-6 Big Ten) escaped a bases-loaded jam with an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play. In the bottom half of the frame, Ryan McKay connected for a home run over the high wall in right field and into the Redar Cedar River.

McKay’s homer was the only extra-base hit Van Assen (2-2) surrendered in his longest outing of the season. He worked seven innings for the third time as a Boilermaker overall, needing only 95 pitches thanks to the four 1-2-3 innings coupled with not issuing a walk.

The first five hitters in the Spartans’ lineup were a combined 0-for-18 against Van Assen. But the bottom four provided the offense with a combined 8-for-12 showing against Purdue’s ace.

Both teams endured a second inning they’d soon forget, specifically defensively. The Boilermakers committed an inning-opening error and then failed to give themselves an opportunity to turn an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play. Michigan State connected for three singles in the frame and the two unearned runs that scored in the longest frame of the day helped make the home team victorious.

In the top half of the second, Purdue scored twice thanks to a pair of free passes and squeeze bunts on consecutive pitches. The Spartans botched the bunt coverage on both run-scoring plays. Brandon Rogers and Jackson Bessette got the bunts down successfully, but both left a lot to be desired. Rogers was safe when no one covered first base. Bessette’s bunt went just a couple feet in front of the plate. Catcher Adam Broski could’ve hung up Richmond in a run down between third and home, but instead he rushed a slightly off target throw to first base and everyone was safe again.

The Boilermakers stranded Rogers and Bessette at second and third to end the inning.

After replacing starter Aidan Donovan, Nolan Higgins walked Rogers to load the bases with one out in the sixth. But Higgins (2-1) rolled up the double play ball MSU needed and went on to close out the win with 3 2/3 innings of one-hit relief, striking out four. The game also ended on a double play after Rogers singled with one out in the ninth to end Higgins’ streak of eight consecutive batters retired.

Shortstop Westin Boyle and Rogers made the top defensive plays of the day. Boyle went deep into the hole to prevent an infield hit in the fifth inning. Rogers made a diving catch in center field to take away a leadoff single in the bottom of the eighth.

The series continues Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.

STREAKS EXTENDED
• Brandon Rogers: 18-game on-base; 7-game hit; 14-game on base in Big Ten play (Since April 27, 2025)