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Gaffney Purdue’s First Freshman of the Year

By Jared Jesulaitis May 22, 2024 | 5:03 PM

Nov 9, 2019; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers mascot Pete in the 2nd half against the Texas Longhorns at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue baseball enjoyed a first yesterday. Luke Gaffney is the Big Ten Freshman of the year. Gaffney becomes the first position player for Purdue to win the award. Previously, Matt Bischoff won in 2007 as a pitcher.

“Gaffney was also named second-team All-Big Ten at first base and the first baseman on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Mike Bolton Jr. (outfield), Connor Caskenette (catcher) and Jordan Morales (starting pitcher) were third-team All-Big Ten honorees, all as selected by the league coaches.

Cole Van Assen (starting pitcher) joined Gaffney on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Grad transfer and versatile infielder Thomas Green was recognized as Purdue’s Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree.” – Purdue Sports

Gaffney has had an outstanding year shattering freshman records for RBI’s, runs, and total bases. He als can still set the home runs and hits records. The wild thing may be the fact that he wasn’t originally going to be the starting first baseman. he was pressed into action after an injury to Breck Nowik. He has an opportunity to post just the fourth 1.100-plus OPS season by a Boilermaker since 2001.

Purdue plays Nebraska next on Wednesday at 8pm in their first elimination game.

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