WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — Jackson Bessette homered and drove in a run, and Purdue’s bullpen combined for eight shutout innings as the Boilermakers defeated Southern Indiana 5-1 on Wednesday at Alexander Field.

Bessette went 3 for 4 with a solo home run in the fourth inning that tied the game 1-1. He also doubled and scored the go-ahead run in the sixth. Graham Kollen started for Purdue and allowed one run on three hits over four innings, striking out two. The Boilermakers improved to 28-15, while the Screaming Eagles dropped to 23-22.

Southern Indiana scored its only run in the top of the fifth. Jes Velders doubled down the left-field line, moved to third on a single by H. Miller and scored on a sacrifice fly by K. Holiday. That gave the Screaming Eagles a 1-0 lead, but they managed only three hits the rest of the game.

Purdue answered in the bottom of the sixth against a succession of Southern Indiana relievers. Bessette led off with a double down the left-field line off M. Bell. After a groundout moved Bessette to third, Zychowski singled through the right side to bring him home, tying the game at 1. Zychowski stole second, and Anderson walked. Abdriel Figueroa relieved Bell but hit Manias to load the bases. Flores then singled through the right side, driving in two runs to give Purdue a 4-1 lead.

The Boilermakers added an unearned run in the seventh. After a hit batter and a fielder’s choice, Boyle singled to right field. The ball was misplayed, allowing Malbrough to score from third and extending the lead to 5-1.

Purdue’s pitching staff combined to strike out seven and walk two. Gavin Beuter threw two scoreless innings with three strikeouts, Joe Trenerry added two hitless frames with two strikeouts, and KESTER-JOHNS worked a scoreless seventh. Four different Southern Indiana relievers — Colin Wolfe, M. Bell, Figueroa and Brady Watts — each threw a scoreless inning, but the damage came in the sixth.

Andres Gonzalez started for Southern Indiana and allowed no hits over two innings with four strikeouts. Konner Quinn, Jake Porter and Abdriel Figueroa also recorded scoreless appearances for the Screaming Eagles, but the offense could not sustain its early momentum.

Southern Indiana had six hits, led by Velders’ double and single. Holiday also singled. Purdue totaled 11 hits, with Bessette, Boyle and Flores each collecting two. Boyle singled twice, and Flores drove in three runs.

The game was played before a modest midweek crowd. Purdue took advantage of two Southern Indiana errors, including a throwing error by the catcher in the first inning that allowed a runner to reach, though the Screaming Eagles did not score.

The Boilermakers return home Friday to open a three-game series against Murray State. Southern Indiana travels to face Tennessee Tech on Friday.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Purdue 6, Southern Indiana 3. Interstat’s ELO system gave Purdue a 71.50 percent probability to win.