Gaffney wins Freshman of the Year

Redshirt freshman Luke Gaffney, who became Purdue's fastest player to reach 50 RBIs since 2001 this season, was named Big Ten Freshman of the year, the conference announced Tuesday.

The first baseman ranked second among Big Ten players in runs (60), RBIs (63) and total bases (131) and stood third in OPS (1.109) entering the Big Ten Tournament.

He reached base in 17 consecutive games from March 22 to April 20 and was recognized as Big Ten Freshman of the Week five times. Gaffney is the first Boilermaker to be named Rookie of the Year since 2007 and is the school’s second recipient since the award was first issued in 1988.

Gaffney made the All-Big Ten second team and freshman team, though Minnesota shortstop Jack Spainer, and not Gaffney, was the only unanimous freshman team selection. Pitcher Cole Van Assen, who split his time between a relief and starting role this season, also made the freshman team.

Purdue was the only member of the Big Ten's top six to not place a player on the conference first team, but led the league with three third-teamers: Mike Bolton Jr., who played left field as a fifth-year, senior catcher Connor Caskanette and graduate starting pitcher Jordan Morales.