Purdue Baseball Swept by Penn State

This weekend was a better one for Purdue baseball. They were in a couple of tight games and they had much better hitting, but the result was unfortunately the same. Penn State swept the Boilers in an abbreviated series that started last night at 6pm and concluded today with a doubleheader after Sunday's game was moved up due to threatening weather. Purdue is now 4-20 on the season and is the only Big Ten team out of 13 without a win. They sit in dead last place at 0-6 after two complete series.

Game 1: Penn State 3, Purdue 1

The beleaguered pitching staff had one of its best outings of the season on Friday night, but it wasn't enough. Mike Lutz gave up just one run in three and a third and Gavin Downs kept it at a single run until the eighth, but a leadoff double from Jim Haley in the bottom of the eighth, a sacrifice bunt, a triple by Tyler Kendall, and a single from Jordan Bowersox gave the Nittany Lions two runs and a 3-1 lead going to the ninth.

What's even more frustrating is that Purdue got a pair of runners on in the top of the inning, but Jack Anderson, the Big Ten's best closer, got an inning-ending double play to get out of the jam. He then struck out the side in the ninth to earn the win.

Purdue's lone run came in the top of the fourth after Kyle Wood led off with a double. Alex Olund later brought him home on a sacrifice bunt to tie the game at 1-1.

Game 2: Penn State 7, Purdue 2

Purdue gave up a run in the first and four in the third to get knocked out of this one early. Matt Frawley, who had been Purdue's best pitcher by far, gave up six runs in four and a third. The Boilers were down 6-0 before getting two back in the eighth. A leadoff double by Kyle Johnson was followed by a walk to Wood. Nick Dalesandro drove in a run on a sac fly and an Olund double brought in the second run.

Game 3: Penn State 7, Purdue 6 12 innings

This one was a heartbreaker. Purdue managed to go in front in the top of the 12^th when Brett Carlson delivered a two out, two RBI single. That put Purdue in front 6-4 with the rare opportunity to use its closer. Alex Lyons came on to try and nail it down in the bottom of the 12^th, but immediately gave up a leadoff double. He then got a strikeout, but the Nittany Lions got a run back with an RBI single. They then won the game after another single and a two-run double by Alex Malinsky.

The collapse ruined an excellent outing from Tanner Andrews out of the bullpen. He gave up only two hits and no runs over 7 innings of relief. He was in line for the win too before Lyons blew it.

Jack Picchiotti was 3 for 6 in game two and Cody Strong was 3 for 5 with two RBI.