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Purdue Splits Doubleheader With Hofstra With Exciting Comeback

Purdue dropped the first leg of the doubleheader 13-6, but secured a come-from-behind win in the second game of the day, winning 10-4 thanks to nine unanswered runs.
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SANFORD, Fla. — Purdue split its doubleheader with Hofstra on Saturday, losing the opener 13-6 but then winning the nightcap, 10-4. The Boilermakers will try to win the series on Sunday as the series concludes with a single game on Sunday.

In the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, Hofstra overpowered the Purdue pitching staff in the 13-6 loss. Much like the season-opener on Friday night, Purdue (1-1) and Hofstra (1-1) went back and forth holding the lead until Hofstra blew the door open courtesy of a seven-run inning in the sixth.

The Pride had four hits and drew four walks in the inning and got some help from the Boilermakers who committed a costly infield error, as well. Purdue freshman right-handed pitcher Jett Jackson started and pitched well to contact, allowing only one hit in the first three innings. He was pulled after giving up back-to-back hits in the fourth inning. 

Purdue trailed 4-1 through four innings, but took the lead with a four-run inning of their own came thanks to senior Bryce Bonner, who was the Boilermakers' standout player of the afternoon, going 2-for-2 with three RBIs.

That lead was short-lived after Hofstra's seven-run sixth.  Hofstra totaled 16 hits in the game against five Boilermakers pitchers. Purdue's Conner Tomasic (0-1) got the loss. 

In the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, Purdue (2-1) turned on the throttle late and erased a three-run deficit, scoring nine unanswered runs in a 10-4 victory over Hofstra (1-2). 

The Boilermakers got off to a hot start as JUCO transfer Kyle LaPlante hit a solo-home run over the left field wall. LaPlante now has five RBIs on the weekend through three games in the series.

Hofstra kept Purdue's bats silent for five innings while building a 4-1 lead, but the game turned in the seventh inning after senior catcher Zac Fascia lead off with a double and forced a pitching change. Shortstop Evan Albrecht came through in the clutch and delivered a two-out double, bringing home two runs to tie the game 4-4. 

Purdue's Cory Brooks (1-0) pitched five innings, only giving up one run in relief and giving his teammates a chance to get back in the game. He got the win after Purdue's big rally.

Purdue broke the tie thanks to a Fascia sacrifice fly, which scored LaPlante. Then JUCO transfer Miles Simington hit a grand slam, the first by a Purdue player since the 2017 season. Purdue scored six runs in the eighth inning and took a 10-4 lead.

The series ends on Sunday with a game at 1 p.m. ET in Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium.

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