TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State baseball will close out a five-game Big 10 stretch Tuesday when they travel to West Lafayette to take on Purdue. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET from Alexander Stadium and can be seen live on the Big Ten Network Plus via a subscription. Fans can also tune into the game via Sycamore All-Access on GoSycamores.com with Brian Fritz calling the action.
 
LOOKING AT THE SYCAMORES
Tony Rosselli (.400) and Kyle Moore (.301) lead the team at the plate while Brandt Nowaskie is hitting .295 in 10 games of action for the Sycamores. Designated hitter Dane Giesler and Moore have proved to be reliable forces when runners are on the bases. Giesler leads the team with 18 RBI while Moore sits just behind with 15. As a team, the Sycamores are hitting .26882 and have hit for 45 doubles, nine triples and 22 homers. ISU pitching has struck out 204 batters and hold a combined 5.22 ERA.
 
LOOKING AT THE BOILERMAKERS
Purdue comes into play with a 15-12 overall record and are winners of two-straight games after taking their series with Ohio State over the weekend. The team is led offensively by Skyler Hunter (.357) and Nick Dalesandro (.343). As a club, the Illini are hitting at a clip of .267 while the pitching staff holds a 5.22 ERA.
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Sycamores lead the all-time series with Purdue 39-29-2. Indiana State has won six of the last seven meetings, including both meeting a year ago. The Sycamores defeated the Boilermakers 4-1 in Terre Haute April 5 before taking earning the season sweep in West Lafayette with a 22-4 win.
 
STRONG ON ALL FRONTS
Senior Tony Rosselli has been brilliant for the Sycamores this season at the plate. Rosselli holds a .400 batting average to lead the team as well as the Missouri Valley. The Terre Haute native has 28 hits in 70 at bats, including five doubles, five triple and a pair of home runs. His five triples also leads the MVC and second in the nation.
 
GOOD GLOVES
Following a phenomenal defense outing a year ago, ISU has picked up where it left off. The Sycamores sit at the top of The Valley with a .979 fielding percent and have committed just 18 errors this season, six fewer than the next best team.
 
SLUGGING IT OUT
When it comes to picking up extra bases, ISU has no problem getting it done. The squad ranks third in the MVC with a .427 slugging percent. As a team, the Sycamores have 45 doubles, nine triples and 22 home runs on the season. Tony Rosselli leads the Trees with a .700 slugging percentage off of five doubles, five triple and a pair of home runs.
 
STRIKE 'EM OUT
One thing the Sycamores have done well this season on the mound is record strikeouts. As a team, ISU has struck out 204 opposing batters, led by senior right-hander Jeremy McKinney who has 39 K's in 28 innings. The team ranks 46th in the country with nine strikeouts per nine innings while McKinney has struck out 12.54 per nine innings, good enough for 24th nationally.
 
TOUGH TO STRIKE OUT
Junior Tyler Friis has been a tough out for opposing pitchers this season. The shortstop has struck out just six times in 67 at bats this season while boasting 19 hits for the Trees. His 11.16 at bats between strikeouts ranks tops on the squad.
 
TRIPLES GALORE
Senior Tony Rosselli ranks third in the nation and tops in the Missouri Valley with five triples. He ranks first in the country with 0.25 triples per game.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Baseball team, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.