Purdue baseball is gearing up for an important 2025 season. After a series of ups and downs under different coaches, the team is now set to make a comeback. Greg Goff took over in 2020 and has been working hard to build a strong program. However, the past few years have been a rollercoaster ride for the Boilers.

Key Moments in Past Seasons

The 2020 season was cut short due to COVID, leaving Purdue with a 7-7 record. In 2021, they faced a tough Big Ten schedule and ended with a 16-26 record. In 2022, they started strong but faded to 29-21 and a 9-12 record in the Big Ten. 2023 was a challenging year as well, with a 24-29 record. Last year, they were in the running for the Big Ten title but a late loss to Indiana seemed to derail their hopes.

New Additions and Challenges

One of the biggest additions to the team is new assistant coach Greg Lovelady. With a remarkable 349–204 record as a head coach at Wright State and Central Florida, Lovelady brings a wealth of experience. However, the team graduated 21 players last year and lost Big Ten Freshman of the Year Luke Gaffney to Clemson. The pitching staff is almost entirely new, with only Cole Van Assen returning as a starter.

2025 Schedule Overview

The expansion of the Big Ten means a change in the schedule. With 17 baseball schools, the league will have 30 conference games instead of 24. Purdue will host Michigan, UCLA, Rutgers, Northwestern, and Nebraska, and travel to Minnesota, Washington, Penn State, Illinois, and Indiana. They also have an early home non-conference series against Illinois-Chicago. The schedule includes some interesting matchups, such as an April 14 game against Arizona State at Alexander Field.

Early Season Matchups

Purdue will open the season with four games against Stephen F. Austin (10-44) in Sugar Land, Texas. This will be followed by two four-game series against Niagara (38-17) and Akron (15-39) in Holly Springs, NC. Niagara was an NCAA Tournament team last year. These early games will test the Boilers' skills and prepare them for the tougher Big Ten schedule.

Big Ten Play and Beyond

In Big Ten play, Purdue will face tough opponents. They need to perform well to make a mark in the conference. After the Big Ten season, they will look to continue their success in the NCAA Tournament. Each game will be a challenge, but the team is determined to prove themselves.Overall, the 2025 season holds great promise for Purdue baseball. With new additions and a challenging schedule, the Boilers are ready to take on the year and make a name for themselves.