WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — The Purdue Boilermakers erupted for eight unanswered runs after a disastrous first inning, powered by a three-RBI day from Aaron Manias and a dominant relief effort to defeat the Illinois Fighting Illini 10-5 in a Big Ten Conference baseball game Sunday at Alexander Field.

The victory secured the series win for Purdue after the teams split the first two games. The Boilermakers improved to 20-10 overall, while Illinois evened its record at 15-15.

The most important part of the game was Purdue’s immediate and sustained response to a five-run Illinois first inning. The Fighting Illini sent 11 batters to the plate, capitalizing on two Purdue errors. Jack Zebig provided the big blow with a two-run homer down the right-field line, and Daniel Contreras added a two-run single as all five Illinois runs were scored before Purdue recorded its third out.

Instead of folding, the Boilermakers began their methodical comeback in the bottom half of the frame. An RBI groundout by Drake cut the deficit to 5-1. The rally escalated in the second inning. Quincy Malbrough scored on a single by Eli Anderson, and Manias and Flores followed with run-scoring groundouts and a single, respectively, to pull Purdue within a run.

The game turned completely in the bottom of the third. After a two-out error extended the inning, Malbrough laced an RBI double to tie the game 5-5. Boyle followed with a go-ahead single, and after a double by Anderson, Manias delivered the decisive hit—a two-run single to left field that capped a four-run, unearned rally and gave Purdue an 8-5 lead it would not relinquish.

Purdue’s bullpen was instrumental in the comeback, silencing the Illinois offense after the first-inning outburst. After starter Klug failed to record an out, Thomas Howard entered and provided critical stability, pitching 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief with three hits allowed. Jarvis Evans followed with three perfect innings, striking out three. Jake Kramer closed out the final 1 2/3 innings without allowing a hit.

Illinois starter A. Flinn was chased after two innings, and reliever Sam Mommer was charged with four unearned runs in the pivotal third. The lone bright spot for the Illini bullpen was Sam Reed, who threw three perfect innings of relief with one strikeout.

Manias finished 2 for 4 with a double and three RBIs for Purdue. Anderson and Malbrough each had two hits and an RBI. For Illinois, Contreras went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs.

The Boilermakers added insurance runs in the sixth on a bases-loaded walk by Drake and a hit-by-pitch from Bessette. Illinois managed only four hits after the first inning and never seriously threatened after the third.

The result defied some pregame projections. Interstat’s ELO system had given Illinois a 53.40 percent probability to win, while its game simulator had projected a 7-4 Purdue victory.

Illinois next hosts Indiana State on Tuesday. Purdue is scheduled to face Bradley at home on Tuesday.