CLEARWATER, Fla. - Freshman Gina Snyder struck out 11 batters to hold Saint Joseph's at bay in a 6-2 Boilermaker win Saturday afternoon.
Offensively, Purdue managed its six runs on 10 hits, including two hits each by senior Ashley Burkhardt, redshirt junior Katie Harrison and junior CJ Parsons, who launched her first out-of-the-park homer of the season.
Snyder (2-0) went the distance for the victory, her second in as many days. Nikki Alden was saddled with the loss for the Hawks, allowing four runs on six hits in three innings of work. Reliever Anna Lauterbach gave up two runs on four hits in the final three innings.
The Boilermakers scored first, putting up two runs on four hits in the first. A bunt single by freshman Maya Hughes and a double by senior Alyssa Koorsen, set up an RBI grounder by Burkhardt. Harrison's single through the left side made it 2-0. Freshman Kaylah Hampton also had a single in the inning, but it was erased by a double play.
Saint Joseph's got a single and a walk in the second, but the Boiler defense held, including two strikeouts by Snyder to end it.
Purdue upped its lead to 4-0 in the third inning care of an RBI double by Harrison and a wild pitch. Koorsen drew a one-out walk and Burkhardt singled ahead of Harrison's double to left center. A wild pitch with runners at second and third brought Burkhardt home. Hampton walked to put runners at the corners, but the Boilers left both stranded.
Saint Joseph's got two runs back, capitalizing on a two-out walk with a two-run home run by Ashley Alden.
The Boilers answered with a one-out home run by Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native CJ Parsons in the bottom of the inning.
Purdue rounded out the scoring as Parsons sent an RBI single into right center in the sixth. The hit followed a two-out single by senior Alex Whittemore and plated pinch runner Mary Gooding.
Snyder wrapped up the game forcing two fly outs and recording her 11th K of the day in the seventh.
The Boilermakers (16-8) return to action at 9 a.m. Sunday vs. Western Michigan and also will take on Colgate at 1:30 p.m.