WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — Cole Van Assen pitched six strong innings and Aaron Manias homered as Purdue defeated Murray State 7-5 on Friday at Alexander Field, handing the Racers their second consecutive loss.

Purdue improved to 29-15, while Murray State fell to 26-19. The Boilermakers used a five-run burst across the fourth and fifth innings to build a 5-0 lead, then withstood a Murray State comeback that pulled the Racers within two runs in the seventh.

Van Assen allowed seven hits and two earned runs while striking out six over six innings. The right-hander worked around trouble in the early frames, stranding runners in scoring position until his offense provided support. In the bottom of the second, Zachary Zychowski singled to center field to drive in the game’s first run. Manias extended the lead in the third with a solo home run to right field, making it 2-0.

Purdue added a run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Zychowski, then Moore singled through the left side to plate another run in the fifth and Bessette singled up the middle to drive in Manias, pushing the lead to 5-0.

Murray State’s offense finally broke through in the sixth inning against Van Assen. After singles by Luke Mistone and Kris Hokenson, Kainen Jorge doubled down the left-field line to score both runners, cutting the deficit to 5-2. Purdue answered immediately in the bottom half. With reliever Jackson Ugo on the mound, Flores singled through the left side to drive in two runs, extending the Boilermakers’ lead to 7-2.

The Racers mounted a rally in the seventh. Jake Slade led off with a solo home run to left field. Later in the inning, with two runners on, Kris Hokenson doubled down the right-field line, scoring both runners and bringing Murray State within 7-5. But Purdue reliever Jake Kramer entered in the ninth and closed the door, retiring the side to preserve the victory.

Manias finished 1 for 3 with a home run and an RBI. Zychowski went 1 for 1 with two RBIs, including the sacrifice fly. For Murray State, Jorge went 2 for 4 with two RBIs, Slade went 2 for 4 with a home run and an RBI, and Hokenson went 2 for 5 with two RBIs.

Murray State starter Nic Schutte took the loss after allowing five runs on zero hits in 4 2/3 innings, walking four and striking out four. Purdue’s bullpen held Murray State to two hits over the final three innings, with Kramer working a scoreless ninth.

The two teams continue the series Saturday and Sunday at Alexander Field. Murray State returns home next week to host Tennessee-Martin and Indiana State, while Purdue hosts Ball State and Indiana in its next home stand.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Murray State 7, Purdue 6. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Purdue with a 51.60 percent probability to win.