WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — Purdue scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to erase a four-run deficit and beat Indiana 5-4 on Saturday afternoon at Alexander Field.

The Boilermakers trailed 4-0 entering the final frame but rallied against the Indiana bullpen. Brandon Rogers delivered the decisive blow with a three-run double down the right-field line, scoring three runners to cap the comeback. Rogers finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

Indiana scored first in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Caleb Koskie. The Hoosiers added two more runs in the fourth on a bunt single by Fry, then extended the lead to 4-0 with two unearned runs in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Moore W. and an RBI single by Cooper Malamazian.

Indiana starter Brayton Thomas was dominant, pitching 5.1 innings without allowing a hit while striking out two. He departed after throwing 69 pitches, but the Hoosiers bullpen could not hold the lead. Reagan Rivera allowed four earned runs in three innings, and Anthony Gubitosi took the loss after allowing one earned run in one-third of an inning.

Purdue starter Zach Erdman worked six innings, surrendering two earned runs on eight hits with six strikeouts. He did not factor in the decision. Thomas Howard pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in relief, and Gavin Beuter closed with 1.1 scoreless frames.

Cole Decker led Indiana with three hits. Koskie had two hits and an RBI. For Purdue, Rogers was the offensive star, and the Boilermakers managed eight hits overall.

The game was the second of a three-game Big Ten series. Indiana entered with a 21-28 record after a 9-11 loss to Purdue on Friday. The Hoosiers had lost four of their previous five games and six of their last eight. Purdue improved to 33-15, having won 12 of its last 14 contests.

The decisive ninth inning began with Moore singling through the left side. After a strikeout, Bessette walked, and Richmond singled to load the bases. Boyle walked to force in the first run. A sacrifice fly by Zychowski made it 4-2. After an intentional walk to Swiderski reloaded the bases, Rogers doubled to clear them, sending the Boilermakers to victory.

Indiana had opportunities to extend its lead earlier but stranded 11 runners. The Hoosiers recorded 11 hits, including two sacrifice flies and two sacrifice bunts. Purdue’s defense turned a double play in the fifth inning, upheld on video review.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a 7-4 Purdue victory, and its ELO system gave the Boilermakers a 50.30 percent probability to win.