WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — The Oregon Ducks built an early eight-run lead and withstood a late push to defeat the Purdue Boilermakers 8-7 in a Big Ten baseball game Friday evening at Alexander Field.

Oregon’s Will Sanford set the tone with five dominant innings, allowing no hits and striking out eight. His bullpen preserved the win despite a Purdue rally. The Ducks sent 11 batters to the plate in a five-run third inning, capped by BurkeLee Mabeus’ grand slam to right-center field.

Purdue chipped away, highlighted by a three-run homer from pinch-hitter Jimmy Dionne in the sixth and a two-run shot by Sam Flores in the ninth. Graham Kollen provided 2 2/3 innings of strong relief for the Boilermakers.

Oregon improved to 11-2. Purdue fell to 8-4. The teams continue their series Saturday.