Purdue baseball splits doubleheader

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (WLFI) - Purdue pitcher Robert Ramer pitched a complete game in the nightcap victory against Connecticut. Jake Hansen and Sean McHugh played solid defense on the left side of the infield, helping Purdue baseball post a Sunday split to finished the Big East/Big Ten Challenge 2-2.

The Boilermakers beat Connecticut, 5-3, to improve to 4-0 against the Huskies at the Challenge the last three seasons. Purdue was tied 4-4 with No. 4 Louisville until the eighth inning before the Cardinals pulled away for a 9-4 victory.

Indiana and Purdue went a combined 4-3 at the Challenge to help the Big Ten win the five-team tournament.

Even with a roster featuring 12 true freshmen, the Boilers managed to post more victories this weekend than they did in their first eight games (1-7) over the first two years of the Challenge.

Josh Estill (7-for-15) and McHugh (6-for-15) both hit safely in all four games of the weekend. Hansen (4-for-10, 3 walks) reached base safely in all four games.