ATLANTA -- Freshman Maddie Damon had a big night, coming through in the clutch for the Boilermakers in the circle and at the plate in a 4-3 eight-inning win over Syracuse on Friday. Damon (1-0) picked up the win, sitting down the final seven Orange batters of the game in order, including three strikeouts, and also sealed it for herself, driving in the game-winning RBI with a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the eighth.
Purdue scored its four runs on 10 hits and an error, including two-hit efforts by senior Mary Gooding, sophomore Kaylah Hampton and freshman Lexi Huffman. Syracuse scored its three runs on seven hits and an error.
Damon issued three K's in two and a third innings of relief, while senior starter Lilly Fecho managed seven strikeouts. Reliever AnnaMarie Gatti (1-2) was saddled with the loss, allowing all four runs in the final four and two thirds innings.
The Orange scored first in the game. Purdue responded with three runs in the fifth, then Syracuse tied it up with two runs in the sixth, prompting Damon to take over in the circle. The Boilermakers ended it with a run on two hits in the bottom of the eighth.
Syracuse combined two hits and a sacrifice for a run in the second. A leadoff doubles and sacrifice bunt set up an RBI double off the wall.
The Boilermakers had a base runner in each of the first four innings but could not push a run across. Gooding had a single in the first, then freshman Mallory Baker reached with a leadoff walk and Hampton joined her with a two-out free pass in the second. Senior Katie Harrison drew a two-out walk and Huffman doubled in the third, and Hampton added a two-out single in the fourth.
Purdue finally broke through, plating three runs on four hits and an error in the fifth. Gooding singled and Harrison walked. A wild pitch moved Gooding and pinch runner Sydney Pencek into scoring position for Huffman, who delivered with a sharp single to second base, plating both. A fielder's choice and a single by junior Kristen Hoppman put two for senior Paris Andrew, who laced an RBI single to left to give the Boilermakers a 3-1 lead.
Syracuse knotted things up with two runs on three hits in the sixth. The Orange started the stanza with two singles, setting up an RBI double by Hannah Dossett. With runners at second and third, a fielder's choice play at the plate resulted in another score. Fecho issued her seventh strikeout for the inning's second out. Damon entered the game with two in scoring position after a steal and forced a ground ball to second base to end the inning.
Purdue threatened to end the game in the seventh inning, but couldn't take advantage of a Harrison single and a Hoppman walk.
After another 1-2-3 inning on defense, the Boilermakers quickly put a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the eigth. Hampton kicked things off with a double to left. A sacrifice bunt by Maya Hughes moved her to third. Georgia native Lauren Stewart drew a walk and went to second on defensive indifference, then Gooding walked to fill the bases and set up Damon's game-winning single to left center.
The Boilermakers and Orange will battle it out again Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Purdue also is scheduled for a 5:30 contest with host Georgia Tech.