In the eighth inning of a tied game, Maryland baseball turned to Logan Hastings – its star out of the bullpen all season.

However, tonight was not his night, and Dylan Drake’s eighth-inning grand slam helped propel Purdue to a 16-5 win over the Terps. 

On a windy Friday in College Park, where gusts hit 28 mph, the wind was blowing out, resulting in seven home runs.

“It’s just overall, really disappointing, we just didn’t finish,” said head coach Matt Swope.

Purdue plated a run early on Friday night. After a Paul Jones II error, Sam Flores lined a double down the left field line, driving in a run. 

The Terps struck back quickly, with a Ty Kaunas RBI fielder’s choice.

Brandon Rogers responded, however, with the Boilermakers’ second RBI double of the day. 

The back-and-forth game continued, as Jordan Crosland launched a home run for the Terps in the second inning.

Lance Williams then began to settle in for the Terps. He threw consecutive scoreless innings.

Williams was aided by an incredible play by Crosland in left field. He made a full extension diving play in deep left to keep the score tied at two.

The Terps offense then got back to work. Aden Hill smacked a two-run homer to left-center field, giving the Terps the lead for the first time.

However, the Purdue offense responded. Rogers recorded his second RBI of the day, this time by way of the long ball. 

Ross Highkill followed him up in the seventh with a solo shot of his own, tying up the ballgame.  

After the seventh, both starting pitchers were out of the game after long starts by each. 

Williams went seven innings for the Terps, allowing four runs, three earned, and struck out seven. He threw 107 pitches, but the bullpen behind him crumbled. 

“I thought he was dominant for the most part,” said Swope. “Did a really good job.”

Cole Van Assen for Purdue threw six solid innings, allowing four runs while striking out four.

After Hastings gave up the grand slam, Andrew Koshy came on and gave up a home run to Ali Banks. That was followed up by a two-run blast from Flores. 

Flores had a really nice day for the Boilermakers, going 3-5 with three RBIs. 

Purdue kept adding on runs against Koshy and James Gladden. Each gave up four earned runs. 

The Boilermakers scored 12 runs over the final two innings. 

Meanwhile, the Terps’ offense was mostly blanked by the Purdue bullpen over the final three innings. Aden Hill knocked an RBI single in the ninth to cut the deficit to 11.

The Terps will look for better fortunes in the rest of this weekend’s series with the Boilermakers.