2021 / AS A SENIOR
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Teamed with Ryan Howe for the first set of back-to-back home runs in this history of Alexander Field, April 23 vs. Illinois
2020 / AS A JUNIOR (ABBREVIATED SEASON)
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Played in all 14 games, starting all but one
• Was the Opening Day starter at shortstop before moving to third base, where he made 11 of his starts
• Recorded an RBI in all four games of season-opening series vs. Hofstra, highlighted by a go-ahead three-run double in the eighth inning of Opening Day
• Finished the Hofstra series 6-for-15 with two walks and six RBI, hitting Purdue’s first home run of the season in game 3
• First newcomer since Ben Nisle (in 2018) to account for Purdue’s first home run of a season
• Posted three-hit games vs. Hofstra and Western Kentucky
• Ended a 2-for-21 skid with a productive series at WKU in which he reached base safely seven times
• Recorded a pinch hit single and scored a run in the midweek game at Indiana, the only contest he didn’t start
BEFORE PURDUE
• Played his sophomore season at Niagara County Community College and freshman year at Niagara University
• First-team all-region shortstop in his one season of JUCO ball, batting .370 with 15 doubles, 59 RBI and 26 stolen bases in 43 games
• Starting shortstop for the Niagara Power in the summer of 2019, helping the Power win the New York Collegiate League title
HIGH SCHOOL
• Four-year varsity letterwinner for coach John Haynes at Kenmore West High School in Buffalo
• Also played three years of basketball and volleyball
• Kenmore West Athlete of the Year in 2017
• Batted .420 as a senior to earn first-team all-league and honorable mention All-Western New York accolades
• Led Kenmore West to the 2017 Niagara Frontier League championship
• Four-year varsity starter and three-time defensive MVP
• All-league second team honoree as both a sophomore and junior
• Served as a team captain for baseball, basketball and volleyball
• All-Western New York Scholar Athlete
• Four-year honor roll student
PERSONAL
• Major: Kinesiology
• Full name is Kyle Joseph LaPlante
• Born in Tonawanda, New York
• Parents are Brian and Mary Jo LaPlante
• Family also includes younger brother Zach
• Zach plays baseball at Niagara County Community College
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: New York Yankees
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Boston Red Sox
Favorite Athlete: Conor McGregor
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Brian LaPlante, Father
Favorite Playoff Format: NBA Finals
Favorite Pro Stadium: Yankee Stadium
Favorite Field He’s Played at (Besides Alexander): Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa.
Toughest Pitcher for Him to Face Among Teammates: Bo Hofstra
Current MLB Pitcher He’d Like to Face: Chris Sale
Would Like to Have Dinner With: Albert Einstein
Podcast He Enjoys: Impaulsive
Favorite Stand-Up Comedian: Kevin Hart
In His Favorite Playlist: NBA Youngboy
Last Concert He Attended: Travis Scott
Would Love to See Him Play at Purdue: Drake
Favorite Multi-Media App: Netflix
Favorite Super-Hero Series: Iron Man
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Rick & Morty
Favorite Video System: PlayStation
Favorite Month: March
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Bryce Bonner as Kevin Hart from Jumanji
Favorite Food: Chicken Wings
Favorite Dessert: Hot Fudge Sundae
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Basketball
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Basketball
Favorite Purdue Building: Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering
Favorite Big City: Los Angeles
Unique Travel Locale: Mexico
Country He’d Like to Visit: Japan
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: The Playing Surface
Favorite Thing About College Baseball: The Hype
Enjoyed this Professor’s Class: David Bridges, Biological Sciences
Furry Friend: Shelby, Miniature Poodle
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Teamed with Ryan Howe for the first set of back-to-back home runs in this history of Alexander Field, April 23 vs. Illinois
2020 / AS A JUNIOR (ABBREVIATED SEASON)
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Played in all 14 games, starting all but one
• Was the Opening Day starter at shortstop before moving to third base, where he made 11 of his starts
• Recorded an RBI in all four games of season-opening series vs. Hofstra, highlighted by a go-ahead three-run double in the eighth inning of Opening Day
• Finished the Hofstra series 6-for-15 with two walks and six RBI, hitting Purdue’s first home run of the season in game 3
• First newcomer since Ben Nisle (in 2018) to account for Purdue’s first home run of a season
• Posted three-hit games vs. Hofstra and Western Kentucky
• Ended a 2-for-21 skid with a productive series at WKU in which he reached base safely seven times
• Recorded a pinch hit single and scored a run in the midweek game at Indiana, the only contest he didn’t start
BEFORE PURDUE
• Played his sophomore season at Niagara County Community College and freshman year at Niagara University
• First-team all-region shortstop in his one season of JUCO ball, batting .370 with 15 doubles, 59 RBI and 26 stolen bases in 43 games
• Starting shortstop for the Niagara Power in the summer of 2019, helping the Power win the New York Collegiate League title
HIGH SCHOOL
• Four-year varsity letterwinner for coach John Haynes at Kenmore West High School in Buffalo
• Also played three years of basketball and volleyball
• Kenmore West Athlete of the Year in 2017
• Batted .420 as a senior to earn first-team all-league and honorable mention All-Western New York accolades
• Led Kenmore West to the 2017 Niagara Frontier League championship
• Four-year varsity starter and three-time defensive MVP
• All-league second team honoree as both a sophomore and junior
• Served as a team captain for baseball, basketball and volleyball
• All-Western New York Scholar Athlete
• Four-year honor roll student
PERSONAL
• Major: Kinesiology
• Full name is Kyle Joseph LaPlante
• Born in Tonawanda, New York
• Parents are Brian and Mary Jo LaPlante
• Family also includes younger brother Zach
• Zach plays baseball at Niagara County Community College
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: New York Yankees
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Boston Red Sox
Favorite Athlete: Conor McGregor
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Brian LaPlante, Father
Favorite Playoff Format: NBA Finals
Favorite Pro Stadium: Yankee Stadium
Favorite Field He’s Played at (Besides Alexander): Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa.
Toughest Pitcher for Him to Face Among Teammates: Bo Hofstra
Current MLB Pitcher He’d Like to Face: Chris Sale
Would Like to Have Dinner With: Albert Einstein
Podcast He Enjoys: Impaulsive
Favorite Stand-Up Comedian: Kevin Hart
In His Favorite Playlist: NBA Youngboy
Last Concert He Attended: Travis Scott
Would Love to See Him Play at Purdue: Drake
Favorite Multi-Media App: Netflix
Favorite Super-Hero Series: Iron Man
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Rick & Morty
Favorite Video System: PlayStation
Favorite Month: March
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Bryce Bonner as Kevin Hart from Jumanji
Favorite Food: Chicken Wings
Favorite Dessert: Hot Fudge Sundae
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Basketball
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Basketball
Favorite Purdue Building: Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering
Favorite Big City: Los Angeles
Unique Travel Locale: Mexico
Country He’d Like to Visit: Japan
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: The Playing Surface
Favorite Thing About College Baseball: The Hype
Enjoyed this Professor’s Class: David Bridges, Biological Sciences
Furry Friend: Shelby, Miniature Poodle