2022 / AS A SENIOR
• Academic All-Big Ten
2021 / AS A JUNIOR (42-GAME CONFERENCE-ONLY SEASON)
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in a team-high 16 games, all in relief
• One of two relievers to make an appearance in all 12 weekends
• Allowed only 5 of 18 inherited runners to score as one of Purdue’s top high-leverage relievers
• Stranded a pair of inherited runners in four different relief appearances
• Earned the victory March 20 at Indiana with an inning and two-thirds of scoreless relief, striking out three
• Recorded five outs in the Sunday slugfest at Ohio State to earn another victory
• Also made appearances in wins vs. Rutgers, Iowa, Michigan State (2) and Illinois
• Struck out three of four batters faced over an inning and a third of hitless in game 1 of the Minnesota doubleheader
• Fanned three over two innings of one-hit relief vs. Nebraska in a strong season-opening debut
• Worked a hitless inning vs. Rutgers, Iowa, Ohio State and Minnesota
2020 / AS A SOPHOMORE (ABBREVIATED SEASON)
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in five games, all in relief
• Worked 3 2/3 innings of two-run relief in his team debut, posting the longest outing by any pitcher in game 2 vs. Hofstra
• Retired both batters he faced to help Purdue close out Villanova in the championship game of the Campbell Invitational
• Escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning vs. North Carolina to keep the game tied, retiring UNC’s No. 5 and 6 hitters
• Also pitched at Indiana and Western Kentucky
BEFORE PURDUE
• Played his first collegiate season at Jackson College in Michigan
• Pitched in 11 games, making nine starts, and earned the opening day start
• All-conference honoree led the team with a 2.83 ERA while registering 62 strikeouts vs. 28 walks in 57 1/3 innings
• Struck out at least seven batters in each of his first five outings
• Worked seven innings of three-hit ball in consecutive starts vs. Delta and Schoolcraft
• Dean’s List student
• Also pitched for the Bismarck Larks of the Northwoods League in the summer of 2019
HIGH SCHOOL
• Four-year letterwinner for coach Craig Cole at Anchor Bay High School in northern suburbs of Detroit
• Also lettered in football, serving as both the kicker and punter
• Three-year All-Macomb Area Conference performer
• Also named All-MAC Blue Division as a freshman
• All-conference honoree in football as a junior
• Helped Anchor Bay win MHSAA district titles as freshman and senior
• Honor roll student
PERSONAL
• Major: Supply Chain & Sales Engineering Technology• Academic All-Big Ten
2021 / AS A JUNIOR (42-GAME CONFERENCE-ONLY SEASON)
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in a team-high 16 games, all in relief
• One of two relievers to make an appearance in all 12 weekends
• Allowed only 5 of 18 inherited runners to score as one of Purdue’s top high-leverage relievers
• Stranded a pair of inherited runners in four different relief appearances
• Earned the victory March 20 at Indiana with an inning and two-thirds of scoreless relief, striking out three
• Recorded five outs in the Sunday slugfest at Ohio State to earn another victory
• Also made appearances in wins vs. Rutgers, Iowa, Michigan State (2) and Illinois
• Struck out three of four batters faced over an inning and a third of hitless in game 1 of the Minnesota doubleheader
• Fanned three over two innings of one-hit relief vs. Nebraska in a strong season-opening debut
• Worked a hitless inning vs. Rutgers, Iowa, Ohio State and Minnesota
2020 / AS A SOPHOMORE (ABBREVIATED SEASON)
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in five games, all in relief
• Worked 3 2/3 innings of two-run relief in his team debut, posting the longest outing by any pitcher in game 2 vs. Hofstra
• Retired both batters he faced to help Purdue close out Villanova in the championship game of the Campbell Invitational
• Escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning vs. North Carolina to keep the game tied, retiring UNC’s No. 5 and 6 hitters
• Also pitched at Indiana and Western Kentucky
BEFORE PURDUE
• Played his first collegiate season at Jackson College in Michigan
• Pitched in 11 games, making nine starts, and earned the opening day start
• All-conference honoree led the team with a 2.83 ERA while registering 62 strikeouts vs. 28 walks in 57 1/3 innings
• Struck out at least seven batters in each of his first five outings
• Worked seven innings of three-hit ball in consecutive starts vs. Delta and Schoolcraft
• Dean’s List student
• Also pitched for the Bismarck Larks of the Northwoods League in the summer of 2019
HIGH SCHOOL
• Four-year letterwinner for coach Craig Cole at Anchor Bay High School in northern suburbs of Detroit
• Also lettered in football, serving as both the kicker and punter
• Three-year All-Macomb Area Conference performer
• Also named All-MAC Blue Division as a freshman
• All-conference honoree in football as a junior
• Helped Anchor Bay win MHSAA district titles as freshman and senior
• Honor roll student
PERSONAL
• Full name is Eric Joseph Hildebrand
• Born in Detroit, Michigan
• Parents are Gary and Carolyn Hildebrand
• Family also includes older siblings Gary and Jennifer
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: Detroit Tigers
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Cleveland Indians
Favorite Athlete: Joe Kelly
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Gary Hildebrand, Father
Favorite Playoff Format: March Madness
Current MLB Hitter He’d Like to Face: Mike Trout
YouTube Channel He Enjoys: Barstool Sports
Favorite Stand-Up Comedian: Will Ferrell
Favorite Multi-Media App: Twitter
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Big Mouth
Favorite Video Game or System: Rocket League
Favorite Month: July
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Bryce Bonner as Kevin Hart from Jumanji
Favorite Food: Lasagna
Favorite Dessert: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Basketball
Favorite Purdue Building: Mollenkopf Athletic Center
Favorite Big City: Chicago
Unique Travel Locale: Las Vegas
Country He’d Like to Visit: France
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: The Brick Wall
Favorite Thing About College Baseball: The Atmosphere
Furry Friend: Leo, Havanese