Late Game Woes Continue

Saturday, May 9

West Lafayette, Ind.

2 p.m.

Indiana University

21-29, 7-19

Purdue

34-15, 17-9

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Indiana	0	0	1	1	0	0	2	0	0	4	11	0
Purdue	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	5	8	1

5/9/2026 6:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Even with a four-run lead in the ninth inning, the Indiana Baseball team (21-29, 7-19) couldn't escape struggles late in the game. A blown lead in the final frame, the second time IU has lost a big advantage in the final third of the game this weekend, was the deciding factor in a 5-4 loss to Purdue (34-15, 17-9) on Saturday (May 9) afternoon at Alexander Field.

Sophomore southpaw Brayton Thomas turned in one of the best performances of his young career. He worked 5.1 scoreless innings to get the game to the sixth inning. Thomas allowed just three free passes and collected a pair of strikeouts while navigating a veteran Purdue lineup. Graduate student Reagan Rivera was spectacular to advance the game to the ninth inning.

Playing small ball hasn't been the forte of the IU program but head coach Jeff Mercer pulled it out on Saturday afternoon. A series of bunts in the fourth inning allowed sophomore second baseman Landen Fry to hand the Hoosiers a 2-0 lead. IU got insurance in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly from sophomore third baseman Will Moore and an RBI single from sophomore shortstop Cooper Malamazian.

Again, finding all 27 outs has been a challenge that has continuously escaped the IU program this season. A collection of walks and timely hits from the Purdue lineup brought up some familiar nightmares on Saturday in West Lafayette. Brandon Rogers' three-run double, placed perfectly down the first base line, provided the final knock in a series victory for the hosts.

IU will try and avoid getting swept in conference play for the fourth time this season when it takes the field on Sunday (May 10) afternoon. Graduate student left-handed pitcher Conner Linn will toe the rubber to try and salvage a game in the series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Alexander Field.

Scoring Recap
Top Third
Caleb Koskie opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly to right field.
Indiana 1, Purdue 0

Top Fourth
Landen Fry bunted down the first base line to score another run.
Indiana 2, Purdue 0

Top Seventh
A sacrifice fly from Will Moore and an RBI single from Cooper Malamazian extended the advantage for the Hoosiers.
Indiana 4, Purdue 0

Bottom Ninth
Purdue scored all five of its runs in the ninth inning to win the game. A bases-loaded walk from Westin Boyle opened the scoring. Zach Zychowski added one on a sacrifice fly. Brandon Rogers laced a double down the line to bring home the final three runs of the game.
Purdue 5, Indiana 4

Top Hoosier Performers
#14 Thomas, Brayton
5.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K

#19 Decker, Cole
3-4, 2B

#17 Koskie, Caleb
2-3, RBI

Inside the Box Score
• The Hoosiers were just 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base.
• Three players had multi-hit games – Cole Decker led the way with three base knocks.
• IU held Purdue scoreless for the first eight innings of the game.

Notes to Know
• Sophomore left-handed pitcher Brayton Thomas had the best Big Ten start of his career on Saturday afternoon in a crucial rivalry game. He provided 5.1 scoreless frames while stifling the Purdue lineup with weak contact. It was the longest start of his career and just the second time he's completed five-or-more innings.

• Sophomore outfielder Cole Decker had a trio of base knocks to help spark IU's offensive effort. It's the fifth time this season that he's had three-or-more hits in a game. Decker is currently riding a six-game hitting streak after today's action, the longest on the team.

Up Next
IU will look to salvage something from the series on Sunday (May 9) afternoon. First pitch on B1G+ is set for 1 p.m. from Alexander Field. It will also be carried on the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio.