Sanford, FL – Kyle LaPlante's three-run double snapped a 6-6 tie and capped a five-run eighth inning for Purdue as the Boilermakers rallied to defeat Hofstra in the season opener for both teams at Sanford Memorial Stadium. Hofstra had retaken a 6-4 lead in the sixth after scoring three runs.

The Pride wasted no time in getting on the board as leadoff batter Austin Gauthier homered to right in the top of the first inning. Purdue scored an unearned run in the second to tie the score on an RBI single from Mason Gavre. Hofstra went back up, 3-1, in the third inning following an RBI single from Anthony D'Onofrio and a run-scoring wild pitch.

Purdue took advantage of another Hofstra error in the fourth and scored three unearned runs to go up, 4-3. Skyler Hunter had a two-run double in the inning.
However the Pride would stage a three-run rally in the sixth as Alex Sica singled to lead off the inning. Myles Mensah followed with a sacrifice bunt that moved pinch-runner Santino Rosso to second. Tyler White singled in Rosso with the tying run and then came around on a double from Gauthier. D'Onofrio capped the rally with a triple that plated Gauthier for a 6-4 Hofstra lead.

The Boilermakers loaded the bases in the eighth off reliever Jimmy Joyce on a walk, a single and a one-out intentional walk. An RBI groundout made it a 6-5 game and back-to-back walks resulted in the tying run coming home before LaPlante cleared the bases with a double to left center.

Purdue closer Bo Hofstra came on in the ninth and retired the side in order to notch the save.

D'Onofrio and Gauthier had big offensive days for the Pride as the former went 3-4 with a triple and two RBIs and the latter was 2-2 with a double, three runs, a stolen base, and two RBIs. Hofstra starter Jack Jett went 4 2/3 innings and allowed four unearned runs on six hits with four strikeouts. Joyce (0-1) allowed five runs on two hits and five walks in 2 2/3 innings.

Parker Dalton (1-0) picked up the win in relief for Purdue after throwing 2 2/3 innings of one-hit relief. Bo Hofstra recorded two strikeouts in his scoreless ninth. LaPlante was 3-4 with three RBIs for the Boilermakers.

The teams continue the series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.

Notes:
-This marked the first meeting between Hofstra and Purdue.
-Gauthier's leadoff home run was the first of his career.
-Hofstra drew eight walks in the game and had nine hits, but also left nine men on base.
-The Pride's six runs was the most in a season opener since scoring six at North Carolina State on Feb. 10, 2006.