GARY — Joe Haase threw seven strong innings and Purdue scored all seven runs with two outs to pick up its first NCAA tournament win in school history with a 7-2 victory over Valparaiso on Friday night.
The Boilers (45-12) were playing in their first NCAA tourney since 1987 while the Crusaders (35-24) were participating for the first time since 1968.
Haase settled down after a shaky start and struck out seven while walking just one in front of a strong Purdue defense that helped strand 11 Valpo runners.
Purdue had four players with two hits, including Barrett Serrato, who delivered a two-run go-ahead double in the second inning that gave Purdue the lead for good. Others with two hits for the Boilers were Cameron Perkins, Ryan Bridges and Andrew Dixon.
Billy Cribbs and John Loeffler each had two hits to lead the Crusaders, who couldn’t overcome a season-high five errors.
