Stryker video: Husker baseball pounds Purdue in series opener

Military Appreciation Weekend and a Big Ten series against Purdue got underway Friday night, April 5, at Haymarket Park. Carter Cross got things going with a two-run single, and the Husker offense scored six in the first, never looking back on the way to a 17-0 victory over the Boilermakers.

Cam Chick had a first-inning RBi single.

Starting pitcher Mike Waldron allowed four hits over seven shutout innings. It was a near stress-free night for Waldron, who struck out nine batters and walked none.

The season’s largest crowd thus far, announced at 5,038 fans, enjoyed an error-free performance. The Husker defense helped Waldron out of a in the third, when he loaded the bases with two out but got this long foul ball to left fielder Mojo Hagge to keep Purdue scoreless.

Nebraska added seven more runs in the fifth inning. Gunner Helstrom drove in two runs with a double down the left field line, and Hagge followed up with another two-run double. Keegan Watson drove in another run with a base hit and the rout was on.

Waldron mixed his fastball, curve, changeup and slider to keep Purdue off balance all night. He got the final out of the seventh inning with a popup and a nice over-the-shoulder catch by shortstop Angelo Altavilla.

It was the 250th career win for Coach Darin Erstad.

Chick had two hits and two RBIs. He hit his first career home run in the fifth inning.