WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermakers bring 20 wins to their home and conference as Purdue plays host to the Iowa Hawkeyes in a three-game set, beginning at 3 p.m. ET Friday and going through Sunday.
Purdue vs. Iowa
Friday, March 22 | 3 p.m. ET
Bittinger Stadium | West Lafayette, Indiana
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Purdue vs. Iowa
Saturday, March 23 | 3 p.m. ET
Bittinger Stadium | West Lafayette, Indiana
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Purdue vs. Iowa
Sunday, March 24 | 12 p.m. ET
Bittinger Stadium | West Lafayette, Indiana
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A HOT START
The Boilermakers won 20 of their first 29 games of the season, giving Purdue its best start since 2008, when the team went 21-8 through nonconference action.
Earning 20 wins for the first time since 2017, the Boilermakers' nonconference slate was highlighted by an eight-game winning streak, Purdue's best stretch of victories since a nine-win streak in 2015.
In its last time out, Purdue went 3-2 at the USF-Michelle Smith Pediatric Cancer Spring Invitational. In their final nonconference tournament, the Boilermakers collected wins over FAMU, Lafayette College and Seton Hall, while falling to host USF and NDSU.
PURDUE AT THE PLATE
The Boilermakers currently rank in the top four of the Big Ten Conference and the top-60 nationally with a .296 batting average. The effort is fueled by five Boilermakers batting over .300. The group is guided by freshman Kasey Wilhoit, who is hitting .397. She is followed by senior Jenny Behan (.372), freshman Rachel Becker (.369), junior Madison Douglass (.340) and senior Mallory Baker (.326) Overall, the Boilermakers have outhit their opponents 231-197, including 60 multi-base hits this season.
KASEY WILL HOIT THE BALL
Outfielder Kasey Wilhoit is playing like a veteran in her rookie season. The freshman currently leads the Boilermakers with a .397 batting average, ranking fourth in the Big Ten overall and second among the league's freshman batters. She concluded Purdue's nonconference slate with a .526 slugging percentage and a .466 on-base percentage, including three doubles, two triples and one home run. Wilhoit also currently owns a three-game hitting streak.
THE SAVING DUO
Senior pitcher Kaitlynn Moody and freshman hurler Alex Echazarreta lead the Boilermakers and the Big Ten with three saves in the circle. The duo, who has combined for 93.2 of Purdue's 190.2 innings pitched, also rank eighth in the NCAA for their three saves.
SCOUTING IOWA
Friday's game at Bittinger Stadium marks the first matchup for the Hawkeyes since March 10, when they went 3-1 at SIU's Saluki Invitational. Iowa's longest win streak of the season was a nine-game stretch without a loss, which included a 5-0 record at the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic in Orlando.
Guiding the Hawkeyes in the circle is Allison Doocy. The senior was recognized as the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week on March 11 following her performance at the Saluki Invitational, where she tossed two complete games, striking out 19, and giving up only two runs in 18 innings of work. Overall, Doocy is 12-3 on the season with a 1.20 ERA.
SERIES HISTORY
Iowa owns the all-time series between the two schools, 44-16. However, the Boilermakers swept last season's series against the Hawkeyes to close out the regular season.
Powered by pitcher Sydney Bates, Purdue claimed the road series by scores of: 3-1, 9-0 (5) and 6-0 last year. Bates earned the three complete-game wins, including two shutouts, and a 0.37 ERA in the circle over the weekend with 11 strikeouts in 19 innings of action against the Hawkeyes.
The Davie, Florida, native became the first Boilermaker pitcher ever to earn a victory in all three games of a conference series, and the first Purdue hurler to throw back-to-back shutouts against a Big Ten opponent on consecutive days. She is one-of-six pitchers in program history to win three games in a row and is just one-of-three pitchers in Purdue history to win three-consecutive conference games.
SERIES RECORD
Purdue vs. Iowa: Iowa leads: 44-16
Home: Iowa leads 27-8
Away: Iowa leads 11-4
Neutral: Iowa leads 3-1
Purdue's last win at home over Iowa: March 31, 2017 | 4-2
What a Difference a Win Makes ...
If the Boilermakers top Iowa on Friday
Purdue vs. Iowa
Friday, March 22 | 3 p.m. ET
Bittinger Stadium | West Lafayette, Indiana
WATCH | LISTEN | LIVE STATS
Purdue vs. Iowa
Saturday, March 23 | 3 p.m. ET
Bittinger Stadium | West Lafayette, Indiana
WATCH | LISTEN | LIVE STATS
Purdue vs. Iowa
Sunday, March 24 | 12 p.m. ET
Bittinger Stadium | West Lafayette, Indiana
WATCH | LISTEN | LIVE STATS
A HOT START
The Boilermakers won 20 of their first 29 games of the season, giving Purdue its best start since 2008, when the team went 21-8 through nonconference action.
Earning 20 wins for the first time since 2017, the Boilermakers' nonconference slate was highlighted by an eight-game winning streak, Purdue's best stretch of victories since a nine-win streak in 2015.
In its last time out, Purdue went 3-2 at the USF-Michelle Smith Pediatric Cancer Spring Invitational. In their final nonconference tournament, the Boilermakers collected wins over FAMU, Lafayette College and Seton Hall, while falling to host USF and NDSU.
PURDUE AT THE PLATE
The Boilermakers currently rank in the top four of the Big Ten Conference and the top-60 nationally with a .296 batting average. The effort is fueled by five Boilermakers batting over .300. The group is guided by freshman Kasey Wilhoit, who is hitting .397. She is followed by senior Jenny Behan (.372), freshman Rachel Becker (.369), junior Madison Douglass (.340) and senior Mallory Baker (.326) Overall, the Boilermakers have outhit their opponents 231-197, including 60 multi-base hits this season.
KASEY WILL HOIT THE BALL
Outfielder Kasey Wilhoit is playing like a veteran in her rookie season. The freshman currently leads the Boilermakers with a .397 batting average, ranking fourth in the Big Ten overall and second among the league's freshman batters. She concluded Purdue's nonconference slate with a .526 slugging percentage and a .466 on-base percentage, including three doubles, two triples and one home run. Wilhoit also currently owns a three-game hitting streak.
THE SAVING DUO
Senior pitcher Kaitlynn Moody and freshman hurler Alex Echazarreta lead the Boilermakers and the Big Ten with three saves in the circle. The duo, who has combined for 93.2 of Purdue's 190.2 innings pitched, also rank eighth in the NCAA for their three saves.
SCOUTING IOWA
Friday's game at Bittinger Stadium marks the first matchup for the Hawkeyes since March 10, when they went 3-1 at SIU's Saluki Invitational. Iowa's longest win streak of the season was a nine-game stretch without a loss, which included a 5-0 record at the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic in Orlando.
Guiding the Hawkeyes in the circle is Allison Doocy. The senior was recognized as the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week on March 11 following her performance at the Saluki Invitational, where she tossed two complete games, striking out 19, and giving up only two runs in 18 innings of work. Overall, Doocy is 12-3 on the season with a 1.20 ERA.
SERIES HISTORY
Iowa owns the all-time series between the two schools, 44-16. However, the Boilermakers swept last season's series against the Hawkeyes to close out the regular season.
Powered by pitcher Sydney Bates, Purdue claimed the road series by scores of: 3-1, 9-0 (5) and 6-0 last year. Bates earned the three complete-game wins, including two shutouts, and a 0.37 ERA in the circle over the weekend with 11 strikeouts in 19 innings of action against the Hawkeyes.
The Davie, Florida, native became the first Boilermaker pitcher ever to earn a victory in all three games of a conference series, and the first Purdue hurler to throw back-to-back shutouts against a Big Ten opponent on consecutive days. She is one-of-six pitchers in program history to win three games in a row and is just one-of-three pitchers in Purdue history to win three-consecutive conference games.
SERIES RECORD
Purdue vs. Iowa: Iowa leads: 44-16
Home: Iowa leads 27-8
Away: Iowa leads 11-4
Neutral: Iowa leads 3-1
Purdue's last win at home over Iowa: March 31, 2017 | 4-2
What a Difference a Win Makes ...
If the Boilermakers top Iowa on Friday
- They extend to a four-game winning streak against the Hawkeyes for the first time in series history.
- They win their home opener for the 11th time in 13 seasons and the 21st time in program history.
- They will win their first Big Ten home game for the 11th in the last 13 seasons.
- They will have won their Big Ten opener for the 17th time in program history.