:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59929337/Dalesandro.0.jpg)
We’re up against it now. If the 2018 Purdue baseball season is going to last beyond today the Boilers need a victory over the MEAC champions. North Carolina A&T comes in at 32-24 after getting blown out 11-0 by the host Tar Heels yesterday.
Game Notes / Stat Pack / Live Video / Live Audio / Regional Central
The Aggies are here by winning the MEAC tournament and it is just their second NCAA appearance. They went 0-2 in the 2005 Tournament, while Purdue is just 1-5 in three appearances counting this season.
We’re going to go with Gareth Stroh (5-2, 4.68 ERA) who is due for a dominant outing. The Aggies will likely go with Michael Johnson (7-1, 3.27 ERA), who has been excellent in the MEAC.
What benefits Purdue is the level of competition played. The Aggies are 1-5 against teams in the top 100, beating only No. 68 North Carolina Greensboro. Conversely, Purdue is 13-17 agaisnt the top 100.
A win would only be Purdue’s second ever in the NCAA Tournament and with 38 wins this year it would be the second most in a single season for us, short of 2012’s 45 wins.