URBANA, Ill. - Senior Ashley Burkhardt reached base three times and freshman Kaylah Hampton went 2-for-2, but Illinois, the Big Ten's top team in batting average, got timely hits in a 9-1 win over the Boilermakers on Friday.
The Fighting Illini put up nine runs on 10 hits and three errors, while holding Purdue to a run on five hits and an error. Hampton went 2-for-2 to lead the Boiler bats, while Burkhardt reached in all three plate appearances with two walks and single. Junior Paris Andrew and freshman Maya Hughes also tallied hits.
Jade Vecvanags (16-10) struck out just one Boilermaker in the complete-game victory, while junior Lilly Fecho (17-13) and senior Lexy Moore each struck out two batters for Purdue.
The Boilers had base runners in the first and second, but couldn't bring them home. Burkhardt drew a two-out walk and stole second in the opening stanza, while Hughes and Hampton had infield singles and advanced into scoring position on an error and a steal in the second.
After stranding two runners in the first, the Illini put up three runs on three hits and an error in the second. A pair of singles and an error brought in the first run, while a two-run home run by Allie Bauch added the others.
Purdue got one run back, capitalizing on a two-out walk to Burkhardt as Andrew lifted a double to the left center wall.
Illinois tacked on four runs on a double, two singles, a walk and an error in the third. A walk and double put two in scoring position, a single scored both. Another single and a ground out brought in the next two runs to make it 7-1.
Hampton sent a one-out single to left field in the fourth, but a fielder's choice play and ground out kept Purdue from bringing her home.
Burkhardt tapped a two-out single to the shortstop in the fifth, but was left stranded by a pop up.
The Illini finished the game in the fifth with two runs on three hits. Illinois combined three straight singles for the first run, while a fielder's choice play at the plate accounted for the final score.
The Boilermakers (28-20, 6-10 Big Ten) are slated to face off again at 2 p.m. ET Saturday and 1 p.m ET on Sunday. Both games will be streamed live via BTN Plus on BTN2Go.com.