WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — The Purdue Boilermakers rallied from a five-run first-inning deficit to defeat the Illinois Fighting Illini 10-5 in a Big Ten baseball game Sunday evening at Alexander Field.

Illinois sent nine batters to the plate in the top of the first, scoring five runs on Jack Zebig’s two-run homer and Daniel Contreras’ two-run single. Purdue responded immediately, chipping away with a run in the first before erupting for seven runs across the second and third innings, fueled by Aaron Manias’ two-run single.

Purdue’s bullpen dominated after the early outburst. Jarvis Evans, Thomas Howard and Jake Kramer combined for 7 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just five hits. Sam Reed provided 3.0 hitless innings in relief for Illinois.

With the win, Purdue improves to 20-10 overall and wins the weekend series 2-1. Illinois falls to .500 at 15-15.