MIAMI - The Boilermakers wrapped up the FIU Invitational title and a 5-0 weekend with an 8-0 victory over Florida International Sunday morning.
Purdue scored its eight runs on nine hits, including a three-hit day by freshman Maya Hughes and two hits from senior Ashley Burkhardt. In the circle, junior Lilly Fecho (5-2) struck out seven in six innings of work, while senior Alex Whittemore added one K in the final stanza. Shelby Graves (1-3) was charged with the loss after giving up six runs in six innings. Rachel Dwyer threw the final inning for the Panthers.
An RBI double by freshman Kayla Hampton put Purdue on the board in the opening stanza. The base hit to center field brought in junior Mary Gooding, who drew a one-out walk.
FIU got a leadoff single in the first, but a sacrifice and two strikeouts ended the threat.
The Panthers threatened in the third, putting a runner on second with a single and a passed ball. A single to left field allowed a scoring opportunity, but senior Alyssa Koorsen gunned down the runner at the plate to keep the shutout intact.
Hampton was hit by a pitch in the fourth, but out on a fielder's choice play at second that put sophomore Kristen Hoppman aboard. A throwing error allowed Hoppman to go to second, but a fly ball to center field capped the inning.
Koorsen singled to start the fourth and gave the Boilers a 2-0 lead by sliding in under the tag at the plate on an RBI single by Hughes later in the inning.
A bunt single and a sacrifice gave FIU a runner at second in the fifth inning, but a pop up and fly out held them scoreless.
The Boilers poured on four runs on three hits in the sixth to increase the advantage to 6-0. Burkhardt singled and Hampton walked to set the table for a two-RBI triple up the right field line by junior Paris Andrew. A sac bunt by Koorsen brought Andrew home. Whittemore then lifted her first career home run, a solo shot to right.
Purdue added two insurance runs in the seventh care of a Burkhardt double and a sacrifice fly by Andrew. Hughes reached on a bunt single and stole second and Gooding walked, setting up Burkhardt's RBI double to the center field wall. Hampton walked to fill the bases for Andrew, who delivered with the sac fly to right to cap the scoring at 8-0.
The Boilermakers (6-4) are back in action on Friday, when they take on Oakland and Florida Gulf Coast at the FGCU/Four Points by Sheraton Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.