Purdue Baseball Changes Season Opener

In what is probably a good decision I am just staying away from commenting on basketball today. Let’s use baseball as a distraction instead! Purdue was set to start the season with a three-game series against Baylor later tonight, but once the team got to Midway airport in Chicago last night inclement weather forced a change. The team was unable to fly to Texas last night, so the series with Baylor was cancelled.

Fortunately, they will still start the season this weekend, just in a completely different location. Another team with travel issues, Western Michigan, was in the same airport trying to get to Dallas to face Houston Baptist. They had to cancel their series as well, but they worked out a last minute deal to open against Purdue. Baylor and Houston Baptist will also now play each other.

Of course, it is February in the Midwest, meaning their stadium and Purdue’s Alexander Field are out. Both teams will fly to the Atlanta area today and begin their series tomorrow at the Perfect Game Complex in Emerson, about 35 minutes northwest of the city. The Perfect Game Complex looks similar to the Grand Park complex in Westfield, but with better weather (60s this weekend compared to 30s in Westfield).

So, here is the revised schedule for the weekend:

WEEKEND SERIES INFORMATION

Purdue (29-27 in 2017) vs. Western Michigan (24-29 in 2017)

Saturday, Feb. 17 - Doubleheader at Noon ET

Sunday, Feb. 18 - Series Finale at 11 a.m. ET

Perfect Game Complex at LakePoint / Emerson, Georgia

All-Time Series: WMU leads 16-15

Last Meeting: Split a Doubleheader, Won 7-5 and Lost 13-6 (2006 in Kalamazoo)

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS

Game 1 Saturday: Tanner Andrews (Sr, RHP) vs. Jack Szott (So, RHP)

Game 2 Saturday: Gareth Stroh (Jr, LHP) vs. Nic Laio (Jr, RHP)

Sunday: Ryan Beard (Jr, LHP) vs. Jacob Piechora (Sr, LHP)

So, if you are in the Atlanta area, go check out some surprise Boiler baseball!