Purdue baseball's head coach Greg Goff expressed frustration after a tough 11-inning loss to Miami, despite the team's strong season so far. The Boilermakers have surprised many by achieving a solid record amidst roster changes and injuries.
Key points
Purdue baseball lost to Miami in an 11-inning game
Greg Goff is the head coach of Purdue baseball
Purdue has a record of 25 wins and 11 losses
The team has faced injuries to four key players
Purdue is considered the Big Ten's surprise team this season
Mentioned in this story
Purdue baseballGreg Goff
Big TenMiami
WEST LAFAYETTE — Greg Goff is perched in the corner, atop the bench of Alexander Field's home dugout, head buried in his hands.
The Purdue baseball head coach is visibly frustrated after his team just spent four hours trying to give more than 2,200 fans a Boilermaker victory to celebrate.
Miami's two runs in the top of the 11th assured that didn't happen, but these disappointments have been few and far between. Everything up to that point exemplified why Purdue sits where it does in a season many outside the Boilermaker clubhouse never saw coming.
Goff had to turn his roster over yet again this season, then lost four of his most relied upon contributors to injuries. And as devastating as that 11-inning loss was on Tuesday night, it was just the 11th in 36 games for Purdue, which is the Big Ten's surprise team so far.
Purdue graduate student right-handed pitcher Graham Kollen pitches the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Miami redshirt senior infielder Evan Appelwick slides onto the base as Purdue junior infielder Zach Zychowski jumps to throw the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Q&A
What is Purdue baseball's current record this season?
Purdue baseball has a record of 25 wins and 11 losses in their current season.
Who is the head coach of Purdue baseball?
The head coach of Purdue baseball is Greg Goff.
How did Purdue baseball perform against Miami in their recent game?
Purdue baseball lost to Miami in an 11-inning game, with Miami scoring two runs in the top of the 11th.
What challenges has Purdue baseball faced this season?
Purdue baseball has faced challenges including a roster turnover and injuries to four key players.
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Purdue redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Thomas Howard, left, lines up before the game start on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue plays Miami University from Ohio as the sun set on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Prior to this game, Purdue's record this season was 25-10.
Miami sophomore infielder Jamie Rasmussen, left, runs to first base while Purdue fifth year infielder CJ Richmond defends the base on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
A Purdue fan watches the baseball game against Miami University on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue fans watch as a foul ball is hit over the net on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue senior left-handed pitcher Jarvis Evans, pitches the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. By the end of the ninth inning the teams were tied up 3-3.
Purdue senior outfielder Eli Anderson runs across the field on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Anderson had one hit by the end of the game.
Purdue fifth year infielder CJ Richmond misses a catch on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Richmond was the first baseman during the game.
Purdue junior outfielder Quincy Malbrough catches the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Malbrough was at bat five times during the game with one hit.
Miami redshirt junior outfielder Tommy Harrison, left, swings for the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Harrison was at bat four times during the game with two hits.
Purdue senior catcher Jackson Bessette throws the ball towards Miami redshirt junior outfielder Tommy Harrison on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Miami redhsirt senior infielder Evan Appelwick, left, defends the base as Purdue senior outfielder Avery Moore hops onto first base on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Moore was hit by a pitch once during the game.
Purdue freshman infielder Westin Boyle steps up to bat on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Boyle was at bat four times during the game with two hits.
Purdue senior outfielder Avery Moore walks through home plate on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Moore scored once for Purdue.
Purdue redshirt senior Sergio DeCello swings to hit the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. DeCello was at bat twice during the game.
Miami junior right-handed pitcher Jack Geiser pitches the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Geiser hit two players with a pitch during the game allowing them to advance to first base.
Purdue senior outfielder Eli Anderson swings to hit the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Anderson was at bat five times during the game with one hit.
Purdue junior infielder Zach Zychowski throws the ball back to the pitcher on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Zychowski appeared at-bat three times in the game.
Purdue junior infielder Zach Zychowski catches the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue fifth year infielder CJ Richmond swings for the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue freshman infielder Westin Boyle swings for the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue junior outfielder Quincy Malbrough reaches to tag Miami senior infielder Dominic Krupinski on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue graduate student right-handed pitcher Graham Kollen hold sthe ball and prepares for the pitch on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue senior catcher Jackson Bessette catches the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Miami redhsirt senior infielder Evan Appelwick reaches to catch the ball as Purdue senior outfielder Eli Anderson slides to the base on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Appelwick was the first baseman for Miami during the game and appeared at bat six times.
Purdue senior outfielder Avery Moore's helmet flies off his head after being hit by the pitch on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Moore scored once during the game.
Purdue fifth year infielder CJ Richmond goes to throw the ball during a warm up on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue baseball players watch the final innings from the dugout on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue redshirt senior Aaron Manias blows a bubble from gum while lining up to bat on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Manias appeared at bat once during the game.
Purdue junior infielder Zach Zychowski reaches for the ball from the ground on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Zychowski was the second baseman during the game.
Purdue senior left-handed pitcher Jarvis Evans, center, puts his head in his hand as Miami scored in the eleventh inning on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue lost with a final score of 5-3 after two extra innings.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue graduate student right-handed pitcher Graham Kollen pitches the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue graduate student right-handed pitcher Graham Kollen pitches the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Miami redshirt senior infielder Evan Appelwick slides onto the base as Purdue junior infielder Zach Zychowski jumps to throw the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Thomas Howard, left, lines up before the game start on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue plays Miami University from Ohio as the sun set on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Prior to this game, Purdue's record this season was 25-10.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Miami sophomore infielder Jamie Rasmussen, left, runs to first base while Purdue fifth year infielder CJ Richmond defends the base on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
A Purdue fan watches the baseball game against Miami University on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue fans watch as a foul ball is hit over the net on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue senior left-handed pitcher Jarvis Evans, pitches the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. By the end of the ninth inning the teams were tied up 3-3.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue senior outfielder Eli Anderson runs across the field on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Anderson had one hit by the end of the game.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue fifth year infielder CJ Richmond misses a catch on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Richmond was the first baseman during the game.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue junior outfielder Quincy Malbrough catches the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Malbrough was at bat five times during the game with one hit.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Miami redshirt junior outfielder Tommy Harrison, left, swings for the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Harrison was at bat four times during the game with two hits.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue senior catcher Jackson Bessette throws the ball towards Miami redshirt junior outfielder Tommy Harrison on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Miami redhsirt senior infielder Evan Appelwick, left, defends the base as Purdue senior outfielder Avery Moore hops onto first base on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Moore was hit by a pitch once during the game.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue freshman infielder Westin Boyle steps up to bat on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Boyle was at bat four times during the game with two hits.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue senior outfielder Avery Moore walks through home plate on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Moore scored once for Purdue.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue redshirt senior Sergio DeCello swings to hit the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. DeCello was at bat twice during the game.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Miami junior right-handed pitcher Jack Geiser pitches the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Geiser hit two players with a pitch during the game allowing them to advance to first base.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue senior outfielder Eli Anderson swings to hit the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Anderson was at bat five times during the game with one hit.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue junior infielder Zach Zychowski throws the ball back to the pitcher on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Zychowski appeared at-bat three times in the game.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue junior infielder Zach Zychowski catches the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue fifth year infielder CJ Richmond swings for the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue freshman infielder Westin Boyle swings for the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue junior outfielder Quincy Malbrough reaches to tag Miami senior infielder Dominic Krupinski on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue graduate student right-handed pitcher Graham Kollen hold sthe ball and prepares for the pitch on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue senior catcher Jackson Bessette catches the ball on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Miami redhsirt senior infielder Evan Appelwick reaches to catch the ball as Purdue senior outfielder Eli Anderson slides to the base on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Appelwick was the first baseman for Miami during the game and appeared at bat six times.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue senior outfielder Avery Moore's helmet flies off his head after being hit by the pitch on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Moore scored once during the game.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue fifth year infielder CJ Richmond goes to throw the ball during a warm up on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Purdue baseball's 'blue collar' team defies expectations
Purdue baseball players watch the final innings from the dugout on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue redshirt senior Aaron Manias blows a bubble from gum while lining up to bat on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Manias appeared at bat once during the game.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue junior infielder Zach Zychowski reaches for the ball from the ground on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Zychowski was the second baseman during the game.
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Our best images from Purdue baseball vs Miami
Purdue senior left-handed pitcher Jarvis Evans, center, puts his head in his hand as Miami scored in the eleventh inning on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue lost with a final score of 5-3 after two extra innings.
"Just having the mindset of proving everyone else wrong has been huge and just going out there and playing for something," pitcher Trevor Kester-Johnson said.
What Goff deals with is a stark contrast from the world he came from nine years ago when he first arrived in West Lafayette. Goff coached at Alabama in a conference where many baseball programs have College World Series expectations.
At Purdue, baseball isn't high on the athletic department's pecking order. To compete, roster construction creativity is a must. In recent years, any individual breakout season almost assures that player is transferring from Purdue to a bigger name — and bigger budgeted — program.
The 2026 Boilermakers feature 23 newcomers, with a bunch of players several power conference baseball programs looked right past. In all, 26 Purdue rostered players began their careers elsewhere, including 17 junior college transfers.
"We're a blue-collar program," freshman shortstop Westin Boyle said. "We're not going to let anybody feel like they're above us in any way. We're going to go at them and we're not going to give them any chance to breathe."
In a game defined by numbers, Goff sought qualities that defied them.
What he found was a group that became unified last fall over a series of grueling workouts. They rallied around their unlikely paths to Purdue.
"We're a bunch of JuCo guys, transfers, we've got guys from all over," senior outfielder Avery Moore said. "We've got to get along and we've got to be tough."
Purdue baseball players watch the final innings from the dugout on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue baseball players watch the final innings from the dugout on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Alexander Field in West Lafayette, Ind.
The pitching statistics certainly don't fall in line with a 25-11 team. The cumulative earned run average going into Tuesday's first of a five-game homestand was 4.99. But put those pitchers in a tough spot and see them tightrope disaster.
Three relievers combined to hold a 23-12 Redhawks team with six of its nine starters hitting at least .310 to eight consecutive scoreless innings on Tuesday. Boyle admits had the defense, which had two errors that contributed to Miami runs in the second and third innings, done its part, the end result would've been different.
Purdue's offense has offset what, at times, has been pitching woes, led by senior third baseman Sam Flores, who ranks in the top 11 in the Big Ten in four offensive categories (hits, doubles, runs batted in, batting average). Two of the Big Ten's top 10 hitters — Brandon Rogers and league OBP leader Aaron Manias — are currently nursing injuries, but others have filled voids.
The Boilermakers rank in the top five in the Big Ten in hits, doubles, runs batted in, on base percentage, slugging and OPS. In conference play, Purdue has found ways to win pitching duels and slugfests.
But the key component is winning. Purdue has dropped consecutive games only once this season, 5-2 at Rice on Feb. 18 and 5-4 vs. No. 20 Southern Miss on Feb. 20 in Round Rock, Texas. Purdue dropped to 2-3 at that point — then promptly won its next six games, including an upset of Oregon State, currently ranked sixth and fresh off a College World Series appearance last season.
Purdue opened conference play losing two of three to Oregon, coached by Goff's Boilermaker predecessor Mark Wasikowski. Had a play or two gone differently in an 8-7 loss in the league opener, perhaps that series favors Purdue, who has since won five straight Big Ten series.
The Boilermakers are fourth in the conference standings. Top-ranked UCLA has set an unreachable bar, still without a loss. Behind the Bruins is a jumbled mess jockeying for a top-four finish that is pivotal for postseason play.
The Big Ten Tournament this season will have a double elimination bracket for the fifth through 12th seeds that will determine four qualifiers for an eight-team single elimination tournament, joining the league's top four teams.
A three-game series with Ohio State, which is trying to ascend into that top four, begins at 6 p.m. Friday.
"We've got to win at home," Moore said. "Nobody comes to our field and takes games away. That's the message. We can't give anything away."
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
