WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue softball team concludes a four-game homestand at Bittinger Stadium on Wednesday, March 27, with a midweek doubleheader against Indiana State. The first game against the Sycamores is set to start at 3 p.m. ET followed by game two at 5 p.m.
Following Wednesday's nonconference matchup, the Boilermakers head to Minneapolis for their first Big Ten Conference road series at Minnesota on March 29-31.
Purdue vs. Indiana State
Bittinger Stadium | 3 p.m.
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Purdue vs. Indiana State
Bittinger Stadium | 5 p.m.
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Purdue (22-10, 2-1 Big Ten) is coming off a three-game series against Iowa to open conference play that featured two victories, including one in walk-off fashion.
Senior Kaitlynn Moody was impressive throughout the series against the Hawkeyes, allowing just seven hits and three earned runs, while striking out four in 13.2 innings of work. Her efforts against Iowa, now give Moody a 2.01 ERA with seven wins on the season.
Senior Lexi Huffman fueled the offense against the Hawkeyes, hitting .444 (4-9) with two RBI. Fellow classmate Jenny Behan added power to the lineup, going 3-for-7 with five runs scored and an RBI. Behan was also a force on the bases for Purdue, going 2-for-2 in stolen bases.
Overall, Purdue brings six Boilermakers batting over .300 to Wednesday's contest. Freshman Kasey Wilhoit paces the group with a team-best .391 batting average. She is followed by Behan (.376), freshman Rachel Becker (.351), junior Madison Douglass (.328), Huffman (.313) and senior Mallory Baker (.309).
Standing at 11-15 overall, Indiana State has four Sycamores batting over .300. The in-state opponent is guided by Bailey Martin, who owns a .409 batting average with 36 hits, 18 runs and 18 RBI.
ISU's pitching staff is guided by Gabbi Schnaiter, who maintains a 2.72 ERA through five wins in 14 appearances. The junior leads the Sycamores with 47 strikeouts in 64.1 innings pitched.
Last season, Purdue and Indiana State met for a doubleheader in April. The Boilermakers claimed an 8-6 victory in the first game, but fell 3-2 in the nightcap. Purdue's effort was highlighted by pitcher Sydney Bates, who threw 11.2 innings without allowing an earned run between the two games, striking out 12 Sycamores. She was given the start in the first game and gave up just three unearned runs in 5.1 innings of work. She came out of the bullpen in the first inning of game two after Indiana State jumped out to a 3-0 lead and shut down the Sycamores in her 6.1 innings. She struck out six batters in each appearance.
At the plate, Behan collected a pair of hits on the day with a home run, a walk, three runs scored and three RBI, while sophomore Ryleigh Scott went 3-for-8 with a run and an RBI.