NIU stuns Purdue on the road in pitchers duel

By Logan Whittington, Sports Reporter

April 2, 2025

NIU baseball senior outfielder Gavin Baldwin takes a lead at first base during the Huskies’ game against the University of Illinois Chicago on March 26. The Huskies upset Purdue University on Tuesday, taking a 2-1 game for NIU’s first victory in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU baseball (10-17, 1-8 MAC) held on to an early lead to pull off an upset against Purdue University (20-8, 3-6 B1G), winning a 2-1 battle on Tuesday.

“This is a great win for our program,” said NIU baseball head coach Ryan Copeland via NIU Athletics. “Everybody that follows our program knows we’ve been struggling a bit, especially on the mound. For us to bounce back against a really good team in Purdue is a really good thing for us.”

NIU senior outfielder JP Gauthier drove the offense, driving in both runs for the Huskies In the second inning, Gauthier hit a solo home run to left field, giving NIU a 1-0 lead.

In the seventh inning, Gauthier brought home senior infielder/outfielder Andrew Smart to double the Huskies’ lead.

The pitching shined for the Huskies on Tuesday, limiting Purdue to 1 run while combining for 11 strikeouts.

Redshirt junior pitcher Mason Ruh made his first start of the season for the Huskies, holding the Boilermakers scoreless in two innings of work. Ruh recorded 2 strikeouts and 1 walk while allowing 3 hits in the outing.

Junior pitcher Nick Bassi relieved Ruh and pitched for an inning, only allowing a single base runner after hitting Purdue senior infielder Brandon Anderson with a pitch.

Junior pitcher John Lyman walked three without allowing a hit in two innings of relief.

Junior pitcher Clayton Taylor struck out two in the sixth inning to preserve the lead for the Huskies.

Purdue senior infielder Logan Sutter would score their first and only run for the Boilermakers in the bottom of the seventh inning, hitting a home run to left field off NIU freshman pitcher Carter Cox

Sophomore pitcher Danny Cihocki closed out the game with 4 strikeouts, sealing the 2-1 upset.

“We pitched the way we’re capable of doing and played outstanding defense,” Copeland said. “I challenged our guys before the game to be better and to do your job and just focus on winning and they responded in a big way.”

UP NEXT

The Huskies will resume Mid-American Conference play against the Ohio University Bobcats at 3 p.m. Friday at Ralph McKinzie Field at Walt and Janice Owens Park. The game will be live streamed on NIU All-Access and live stats will be updated on SideArm Stats.