WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Big Ten Conference member Purdue (15-25) scored four runs in the fifth inning to key a 6-3 win over Southeast Missouri (19-24) Friday nightin the opening game of a three-game series.

Down, 1-0, Milo Beam walked to start the bottom of the fifth. Ryan Howe and Skyler Hunter followed with singles and Beam scored on Hunter's hit. With one out, Bryce Bonner launched a three-run home run to right field putting the Boilermakers ahead, 4-1.

SEMO pulled to within a run (4-3) in the top of the sixth inning thanks to back-to-back two-out RBI-singles by Tyler Wilber and Austin Blazevic.

Purdue, however, answered to score two runs with the help of three-straight two-out hits in the bottom of the seventh to take a 6-3 advantage.

Beam homered and Zac Fascia singled home a run to cap the Boilermakers' win an inning later.

Trent Johnson picked up the win. Johnson struck out four, walked three and gave up three runs on four hits in 5.2 innings.

Dylan Dodd suffered the loss. Dodd walked three, struck out six and allowed four runs on six hits in five innings of work.

SEMO finished with five hits, one each from Connor Basler, Wilber, Blazevic, Andrew Keck and Hunter Southerland.

Purdue collected 13 hits and had five players with two.

SEMO and Purdue resume their series at 10 a.m., CT, Saturday.