WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Sam Flores connected for Purdue Baseball’s first inside-the-park home run at Alexander Field since 2014, but the four-run inning was the only frame in which the Boilermakers scored in a 15-4 rubber game loss to No. 23 Oregon on Sunday.
The Ducks (12-3, 2-1 Big Ten) pounded out 20 hits while scoring in six of the game’s eight innings, posting multiple runs in four straight frames from the third through the sixth. They connected for seven extra-base hits (3 doubles, 4 home runs) while striking out just twice.
After a two-out RBI single from Aaron Manias put Purdue (9-4, 1-2 Big Ten) on the board in the bottom of the third, Flores followed with an opposite-field gapper to left center. Oregon center fielder Jack Brooks didn’t pull up in his effort to make the inning-ending catch, crashing into the wall and ending up flat on his back on the warning track. Inexplicably, left fielder Jax Gimenez ran toward third base instead of backing up Brooks at the outfield wall. Flores was able to trot home after rounding second base, ultimately celebrating his second home run of the series and fourth of the season.
The three-run homer cut the Boilermakers’ deficit to 5-4, but the Ducks responded with three consecutive multi-run innings.
Purdue’s last inside-the-park home run was off the bat of Harry Shipley as part of a ninth-inning comeback in a May 2018 win at Ball State. Jeff Evak hit the only other inside-the-park home run by a Boilermaker at Alexander Field, circling the bases in an April 2014 win vs. Ohio State.
Purdue used nine pitchers, with only one of the eight relievers recording three outs or more. A game-opening zero from Jarvis Evans and another zero from Jacob Boland against the top of the lineup in the top of the seventh accounted for the Boilermakers’ only scoreless innings of the day.
Noah Filer induced an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play ball with the first pitch he threw in the top of the fourth.
Center fielder Brandon Rogers made the top defensive play of the game, a diving catch in right center that saw him land on the warning track to end the top of the sixth inning.
Oregon’s Drew Smith and Angel Laya both had four hits and four runs scored while batting 6-7 in the lineup. Smith singled in front of both of Laya’s two-run homers. All 11 players that batted for the Ducks had at least one hit.
Purdue’s two strikeouts on the mound were its fewest since a February 2024 win vs. Stony Brook in game No. 3 of that season. The Boilermakers had recorded 22 strikeouts over the first 18 innings of the series vs. Oregon.
Purdue is back action Tuesday when it hosts Milwaukee for its first home midweek game. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. ET on a forecasted 70-degree day in Greater Lafayette. Beers, hot dogs and popcorn are specially priced at $3 at all Tuesday and Wednesday games at Alexander Field.
SERIES LEADERS AT THE PLATE
• Aaron Manias: 5-for-11, 2B, 3 RBI, BB, HBP, 2 R
• Sam Flores: 3-for-12, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R
• Jimmy Dionne: 3-for-9, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, R
• Brandon Rogers: 2-for-7, RBI, BB, HBP, 2 R, SB
STREAKS EXTENDED
• Brandon Rogers: 9-game on-base; 8-game on-base in Big Ten play
• Aaron Manias: 5-game hit
Rogers was exceptional all series in the big field, covering gap to gap, including this amazing catch. https://t.co/30PGeLjCsZ
— David Seifert (@DSeifertD1PBR) March 8, 2026