After his phenomenal debut weekend for Purdue Baseball, freshman Luke Gaffney has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.
Gaffney, alongside teammate Logan Sutter, showcased an impressive offensive display, combining for 10 extra base hits and 11 RBIs while batting 4-5 in the lineup. Their stellar performance led the Boilermakers to a doubleheader split against Stony Brook on the second day of the season.
The Boilermakers faced an early 3-0 deficit in the nightcap but overcame the challenge to secure a 12-8 victory. Gaffney’s contributions were monumental, going 7-for-10 with five doubles, five RBIs, and six runs scored. Perhaps most impressive, Gaffney did not strikeout at all.
He became just the second Boilermaker since March 2019 to have a three-double game.
Gaffney and His Background
During his career at Boyle County High School, Gaffney made a name for himself. As a senior, he was named first-team all-state. Gaffney was an offensive juggernaut, where he boasted a batting average of .462 and accumulated 13 doubles and 10 home runs, contributing significantly to the team’s success in 33 games. This followed an equally impressive junior season, where he maintained a .430 batting average, recorded 10 doubles, seven home runs, and set the school record with 49 RBIs in 36 games.
Ranked as Kentucky’s No. 3 catcher in the class of 2022 by Perfect Game, not only did he excel on the baseball field, but he also demonstrated outstanding academic skill by being the valedictorian of the class of 2022 at Boyle County High School. Gaffney is studying mechanical engineering at Purdue.