WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Rutgers baseball dropped a 6-1 decision to Purdue in Friday evening's Big Ten series opener at Alexander Field in West Lafayette.
The Scarlet Knights (25-17, 7-6) fell behind early and were unable to string together enough offense against the Boilermakers (20-21, 9-7).
Purdue was able to strike first with the bottom of its lineup in the third inning. After the leadoff man was hit by a pitch, an RBI double to left-center made it a 1-0 game.
The hosts added onto their lead with a trio of runs in the fourth – all with two outs. With runners on first and second, Jake Parr beat out an infield single and Jake Jarvis never stopped running from second, scoring on the play. A two-run triple from JD Stevens made it 4-0.
RU got on the board in the fifth on an RBI groundout from
Andy Axelson, scoring
Evan Sleight and making it 4-1.
The Boilermakers added insurance runs in the sixth (bases-loaded walk) and seventh (RBI double) innings to extend their lead to 6-1.
Christian Coppola made his third straight Friday start for the Scarlet Knights, going 5.2 innings, giving up five runs on five hits, while striking out three and walking three.
Sam Portnoy gave up an unearned run in an inning of relief, while
Ethan Bowen and
Sam Bello rounded out the pitching for RU, with neither allowing a run.
Game two between Rutgers and Purdue is set for 5 p.m. ET on Saturday evening and will be broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network.
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