WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — In a game that saw a dominant pitching start, a massive offensive outburst and a furious late-inning rally, the Oregon Ducks held off the Purdue Boilermakers 8-7 in a nonconference baseball game Friday evening at Alexander Field.

The most important part of the game came early, as Oregon’s offense exploded for seven runs in the third inning to seize control. The Ducks sent 10 batters to the plate, with the key blow being a grand slam by catcher BurkeLee Mabeus. His home run to right-center field cleared the bases after Dominic Hellman had scored on a bases-loaded walk, turning a narrow 1-0 lead into an 8-1 advantage.

That offensive support was more than enough for Oregon starter Will Sanford, the top star for the Ducks. Sanford delivered five dominant innings, allowing no hits and just two earned runs while striking out eight. He walked four and hit a batter, but consistently worked out of trouble to stifle the Purdue lineup early.

Purdue starter Cole Van Assen struggled, lasting 5 1/3 innings and surrendering seven runs on seven hits. He was relieved by Graham Kollen, who provided 2 2/3 innings of strong relief, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four.

Trailing 8-2, the Boilermakers began their comeback in the sixth inning. Pinch-hitter Jimmy Dionne launched a three-run homer down the right-field line off Oregon reliever Tristan Bradley, cutting the deficit to 8-5. Oregon then turned to Ryan Featherston, who provided critical relief with 3 1/3 hitless innings, striking out six to steady the game for the Ducks.

Oregon center fielder Jack Brooks added an insurance run with a solo homer in the eighth, which proved decisive.

Purdue mounted one final threat in the bottom of the ninth against Featherston. Connor Boyle led off with a triple and scored on a two-run homer by Sam Flores, pulling the Boilermakers within a run at 8-7. After a lineout, Featherston recorded a strikeout before allowing a two-out single. A pinch-runner was inserted, but Featherston ended the game by getting the next batter to line out to first base, securing the victory.

Hellman led Oregon’s nine-hit attack, going 3 for 5 with a double and a run scored. Flores and Dionne combined for five RBIs for Purdue, which finished with seven hits.

With the win, Oregon improved to 11-2 on the season. Purdue fell to 8-4. The game was part of a weekend series organized by the Big Ten. The teams are scheduled to play again Saturday and Sunday at Alexander Field.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Oregon 8, Purdue 7. Its ELO system gave the Ducks a 71.6 percent probability to win.