FORT WAYNE, Indiana – The Wright State baseball team closed the regular season with a 20-9 win at Purdue Fort Wayne Saturday afternoon, highlighted by senior catcher Boston Smith breaking the program's single-season home run record.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne jumped out to an early lead with a two-run homer in the first inning, and held a 7-5 advantage through three. The Raiders responded in the second, as Conlan Daniel launched a two-run homer of his own into left field. The Raiders held a brief 5-3 lead in the top of the third, scoring on a two-RBI single by Braylen Blomquist and sacrifice fly by Cam Gilkerson. However, PFW responded with five runs in the bottom of the frame, scoring on a single, double, ground out, a wild pitch, and an error on a dropped third strike.
 
WSU regained the lead quickly, tying it at seven in the top of the fourth with an RBI double by Patrick Fultz and an RBI single by JP Peltier. Smith then hit a three-run homer to right center to give the Raiders the lead once more. The home run marks Smith's 21st this season, breaking the WSU program record, previously held by Andrew Patrick in 2023.
 
The Raiders tacked on six in the fifth as Gilkerson and Peltier hit a homer each, and Blomquist scored on a wild pitch. PFW added one in the bottom of the frame, scoring on a sacrifice fly. They added another in the sixth, taking advantage of a throwing error after a single back to the pitcher.
 
WSU continued with four runs over the seventh and eighth. Gilkerson added an RBI single in the seventh, while Fultz opened the eighth with a single to left field, stealing second before Gus Gregory drew a walk. Fultz moved to third on a Peltier fly out, and scored when Blomquist reached on a fielder's choice. The Raiders took a ten-run lead as Gregory scored on a wild pitch. Luke Arnold was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Gilkerson to cap scoring with an RBI walk.
 
Parker Thomas earned the win after throwing two innings and striking out two. Starting pitcher Garrett Peters pitched three innings, striking out five.
 
The Raiders will begin play in the Horizon League Championship on Thursday, May 22, taking on the lowest remaining seed to advance from the first two games.