Purdue Posts 7 Zeros, Scores 7 in the 9th to Win in Evanston

EVANSTON, Ill. – Cole Van Assen and Thomas Howard teamed up for seven zeros on the mound and Purdue Baseball scored seven times with two outs in the ninth inning, defeating Northwestern 11-3 in Friday’s series opener.

The Boilermakers (23-10, 10-6 Big Ten) scored six or more runs in an inning for the ninth time this season, all of the extended rallies coming since March 10 as they’ve registered a 14-5 record during that stretch. Purdue has won seven of its last eight games against Northwestern (13-16-1, 5-8 Big Ten) dating back to a rubber game win at Alexander Field in April 2023.

Nine consecutive Boilermakers reached base safely with two outs in the ninth inning. Avery Moore ignited the rally with a long nine-pitch at-bat, eventually drawing the first of Purdue’s five walks in the frame. Dylan Drake followed with a two-run homer on the first pitch of his at-bat, connecting for his fifth long ball of the season and the Boilers’ first in a week’s time.

Van Assen and Howard teamed up to lead Purdue to a series-opening victory for the fifth time this season. Van Assen pitched into the sixth inning for a third straight start and sixth time this year, surrendering two earned runs over 5 2/3 innings. Howard retired the final nine batters of the game in order, needing just five pitches for a 1-2-3 ninth inning after the long break while Purdue was batting around. The Boilers were set to go to closer Jake Kramer for the bottom of the ninth before blowing the game open.

Purdue scored twice on a squeeze-bunt single from Quincy Malbrough in a three-run fourth inning. CJ Richmond connected for a RBI double to the wall in right field. Moments later, Richmond scored from second on Malbrough’s bunt. Jackson Bessette got an excellent jump from third on Malbrough’s bunt, which was handled by starting pitcher Jake Rifenburg. After initially wanting to flip the ball to the catcher for a play at the plate, Rifenburg threw late to first base and then fell near the lefthanded batter’s box. He ended up catching the throw home from the second baseman as NU tried in vain to cut down Richmond on the back side of the play.

STREAKS EXTENDED
• Sam Flores – 12-game hit; 8-game hit in Big Ten play
• Aaron Manias – 11-game on-base; 5-game hit; 8-game on-base in Big Ten play
• Avery Moore – 8-game on-base; 8-game on-base in Big Ten play
• Dylan Drake – 7-game on-base; 6-game on-base in Big Ten play
• Eli Anderson – 5-game hit; 6-game hit in Big Ten play

Eli Anderson connected for doubles in the first and ninth innings, scoring the game’s first run on a sacrifice fly from Sam Flores. The Northwestern left fielder lost Anderson’s fly ball in the setting sun in the top of the ninth. The double was the third of three straight run-scoring hits after Malbrough and Westin Boyle delivered RBI singles.

Boyle and Drake teamed up for the top defensive play of the game, an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play to erase a two-out walk in the fifth inning. Drake also made a nifty diving catch in short right field as Jackson Freeman hit into the shift.

The series at Northwestern continues Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.

FRIDAY NOTABLES
• Thomas Howard lowered his ERA to 2.20 in 32 2/3 innings while earning his second save of the season. He has worked at least three innings of relief in four of his 15 appearances.
• The Purdue bullpen has pitched 12 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings in Big Ten play since the ninth inning of the April 4 game vs. Illinois. Howard has accounted for seven of those zeros.
• Quincy Malbrough reached base safely in his final four plate appearances, finishing the day 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI. He’s 9-for-15 with a .667 on-base percentage, five RBI and seven runs scored since becoming a starter on April 4 following the injury to center fielder Brandon Rogers.
• Avery Moore also reached base safely four times Friday. Moore has a .474 on-base percentage and 10 RBI since returning to the starting lineup March 28.
• Purdue also scored eight times in the ninth inning of a series-opening win at Maryland on March 13. The Boilermakers have posted a double-figure hit total in their last six Big Ten games, winning five times.