WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Head coach Boo De Oliveira and the Purdue softball program announced its 2022 spring schedule, slated to begin on February 11. The 56-game season will feature five opponents who received recognition in the final polls for a total of seven non-conference matchups and three Big Ten brawls.
The spring campaign features four home weekends at Bittinger Stadium: March 25-27 vs. Illinois, April 8-10 vs. Maryland, April 22-24 vs. Michigan State and April 29-May 1 vs. Rutgers. Tickets for Purdue's home matches will go on sale this January.
"We are very excited for the 2022 season to start," said De Oliveira. "We have a challenging schedule planned that will prepare us for our competitive Big Ten and postseason play. Our team is a combination of a seasoned senior class and many newcomers eager to earn starting spots. We saw a lot of great things from our team this fall – they are an extremely gritty bunch who are really fun to watch compete. We look forward to keeping the winning tradition that is Purdue University going strong and making Boilermaker Nation proud. Get on board—it's going to be a fun ride this season."
The Boilermakers will spend non-conference season down south, attending tournaments at Coastal Carolina (Kickin' Chicken Classic), at Georgia (The Red & Black Showcase), at LSU (Purple & Gold Challenge), at FAU (Parent's Weekend Tournament), The Spring Games in Madeira Beach and at South Florida (USF Invite).
The 2022 Big Ten tournament will be hosted by Michigan State in East Lansing. The tournament is slated to begin Thursday, May 12 and close with the championship game on Saturday, May 14.
The Boilermakers finished the 2021 season with an 18-26 record, backed by an 8-3 record over their final 11 matches. Led by the Purdue batting average record-holder and All-Big Ten First Team honoree Rachel Becker along with All-Big Ten Second Team and All-Freshman Team honoree Kaitlyn Brannstrom, Purdue ranked third in the league in double plays per game (.34), doubles (65) and doubles per game (1.48). Meanwhile, Purdue's fielding percentage (.972) was good for 34th in the nation.
Joining the team for the 2022 season is the No. 39 recruiting class in the nation along with transfer pitchers Gabby Sprang (previously: Oklahoma State) and Alexa Pinarski (previously: Columbia). The freshman class includes outfielder Kyndall Bailey, shortstop/utility/pitcher Tyrina Jones, lefty Kendall Klochack, third/first baseman Olivia McFadden and catcher/utility Ryen Ross
SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN
The spring campaign features four home weekends at Bittinger Stadium: March 25-27 vs. Illinois, April 8-10 vs. Maryland, April 22-24 vs. Michigan State and April 29-May 1 vs. Rutgers. Tickets for Purdue's home matches will go on sale this January.
"We are very excited for the 2022 season to start," said De Oliveira. "We have a challenging schedule planned that will prepare us for our competitive Big Ten and postseason play. Our team is a combination of a seasoned senior class and many newcomers eager to earn starting spots. We saw a lot of great things from our team this fall – they are an extremely gritty bunch who are really fun to watch compete. We look forward to keeping the winning tradition that is Purdue University going strong and making Boilermaker Nation proud. Get on board—it's going to be a fun ride this season."
The Boilermakers will spend non-conference season down south, attending tournaments at Coastal Carolina (Kickin' Chicken Classic), at Georgia (The Red & Black Showcase), at LSU (Purple & Gold Challenge), at FAU (Parent's Weekend Tournament), The Spring Games in Madeira Beach and at South Florida (USF Invite).
The 2022 Big Ten tournament will be hosted by Michigan State in East Lansing. The tournament is slated to begin Thursday, May 12 and close with the championship game on Saturday, May 14.
The Boilermakers finished the 2021 season with an 18-26 record, backed by an 8-3 record over their final 11 matches. Led by the Purdue batting average record-holder and All-Big Ten First Team honoree Rachel Becker along with All-Big Ten Second Team and All-Freshman Team honoree Kaitlyn Brannstrom, Purdue ranked third in the league in double plays per game (.34), doubles (65) and doubles per game (1.48). Meanwhile, Purdue's fielding percentage (.972) was good for 34th in the nation.
Joining the team for the 2022 season is the No. 39 recruiting class in the nation along with transfer pitchers Gabby Sprang (previously: Oklahoma State) and Alexa Pinarski (previously: Columbia). The freshman class includes outfielder Kyndall Bailey, shortstop/utility/pitcher Tyrina Jones, lefty Kendall Klochack, third/first baseman Olivia McFadden and catcher/utility Ryen Ross
SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN
- Total games: 56
- Top-25 Opponents: Georgia, LSU
- Opponents Ranked or Receiving Votes: Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, South Florida, Northwestern
- 2021 Women's College World Series Opponents: Georgia
- Midweek: at Indiana (DH, Wednesday 4/13) and at Notre Dame (Wednesday, 4/27)
- Home Big Ten Opponents: Illinois, Maryland, Michigan State and Rutgers
- Away Big Ten Opponents: Penn State, Indiana (DH), Northwestern and Iowa