Boilermakers return home to face Northwestern

Stephanie Young/Senior Photographer EYE ON THE BALL: Center fielder Brad Kriner swings at a pitch in the game against Valparaiso on Wednesday. Kriner went three for four in the game with three RBIs. The Boilers take on Northwestern today at 3 p.m.

By Jason Tomcsi
Sports Editor

The Purdue baseball team will finally get to play a four game series at home this weekend after spending the past two weekends on the road.

The Boilermakers (13-15, 5-3 Big Ten) will open its Big Ten Home schedule against the Northwestern Wildcats (9-15, 2-5 Big Ten). This will be the first of two consecutive Big Ten series at Lambert Field.

The Boilermakers have played its best at its home stadium this season going 4-0. Purdue players are looking for Purdue's extended home stand.

Right fielder Daniel Underwood said it is about time the team got to play a weekend series at home.

"I don’t think we have had this long of a home stand in my two years being here," said Underwood. "It is nice to play two back to back weekends for the Big Ten at home."

First basemen Kris Luce agreed that the team was ready to get back.

"For whatever reasons we seem to play a little better in our own park," said Luce. "I know personally I am ready to get back here and play some home games. I think it will have a big effect."

Luce and the rest of his team are also looking forward to playing in weather that is more consistent with spring than winter.

"I hope the sun continues to come out because it is a lot easier to play and makes it a lot easier to hit," said Luce.

Despite being at home, head coach Doug Schreiber said the team should not take it for granted.

"Everyone is going to be glad to be off the road," said Schreiber. "But you can’t take for granted that we are at home and that means we are going to do this and that. We still have to take a good approach, but I think it will be very good to be home."

The Boilermakers will be facing a Northwestern team that dropped two out of three games to Michigan State this past weekend. Schreiber said the Wildcats haven't been putting up big numbers in conference play, but its output didn't matter.

"They are going to be a team that could come in and beat us all four games," said Schreiber. "We have to respect our opponents no matter what the situation."

Luce also said Northwestern will be a good opponent for the Boilermakers.

"They got a lot of pitchers back that have been around for a few years, said Luce. "It is going to be good test for us. We have to come out hungry and, like coach always says, have a chip on our shoulder and be ready to get the job done."

Purdue will attempt to face the challenge the Wildcats bring and try to keep the momentum of the past games going.

The Boilers have won 11 out of its last 14 games and are only one game back from the first place. Purdue is in third place behind Indiana and Ohio State who are tied for first place with a record of 6-2. But the Boilers have plenty of time with 24 Big Ten games left on the season.

The Boilers will begin the four-game set today at 3 p.m. and then play a double header on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. The series concludes on Sunday with a game at 1 p.m.

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Sports editor: Jason Tomcsi

Assistant sports editor:
Andrew Hershberger

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