WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — Purdue pounded out 16 hits and got a strong start from Zach Erdman to beat Murray State 11-4 on Saturday afternoon at Alexander Field. The Boilermakers, improving to 30-15, took a 7-5 lead in the series after winning Friday.

Purdue scored six runs over the first three innings. Avery Moore singled in a run in the first, and an error helped the Boilermakers add three more in the third. Sam Flores homered in the fourth. The Boilermakers then scored five runs in the fifth, highlighted by Quincy Malbrough’s two-run double and a two-run single by Anderson.

Murray State (26-20) scored all four runs in the sixth on Jackson McCoy’s grand slam, but the runs were unearned due to an error. Erdman pitched six innings, allowing five hits and no earned runs with eight strikeouts. Nick Kolze and Jackson Greer combined for three scoreless relief innings. Derek Lebron tossed three hitless frames with three strikeouts for the Racers, who grounded into two double plays.

The series finale is Sunday.