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Big Ten Softball Season Opener Set for BittingerBig Ten Softball Season Opener Set for Bittinger

Big Ten Softball Season Opener Set for Bittinger

The Boilermakers (17-15) are set to open the Big Ten softball season at Purdue's own Bittinger Stadium this weekend, with a trio of games scheduled vs. Illinois (13-11) from Friday through Sunday.

Game Notes Opens in a new window
Friday, March 25
vs. Illinois | 6 p.m. ET | BTN | Listen
 
Saturday, March 26
vs. Illinois | 2 p.m. ET | B1G+ | Listen
 
Sunday, March 27
vs. Illinois | 1 p.m. ET | B1G+ | Listen
 
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Boilermakers (17-15) are set to open the Big Ten softball season at Purdue's own Bittinger Stadium this weekend, with a trio of games scheduled vs. Illinois (13-11) from Friday through Sunday.

Fans can watch Friday's home opener on Big Ten Network, at 6 p.m. ET. All games will be available
 
SCHEDULE NOTES
  • Purdue spent the first 36 games on the road, visiting four states over the first six weeks of play and have played more games than any other Big Ten team entering the week.
  • Purdue is 9-2 over the last two weeks of play. That is the best winning streak since the 2019 season (2/22-3/8).
  • The Boilermakers opened the season a perfect 6-0 at Coastal Carolina.
  • Purdue has faced three ranked opponents for a total of six games, owning a 1-5 record.
  • The Boilermakers picked up their first win over a ranked opponent since 2016 and their third since 2009. with the 1-0 shutout at #22 USF last Thursday, March 17. The win also marked the first top-25 victory for head coach Boo De Oliveira.
 
PURDUE BOILERMAKERS AT A GLANCE
  • Purdue has won the past six straight meetings vs. Ohio State, dating back to Oct. 27, 2017. Meanwhile in the past 10 years, Purdue owns the 11-5 advantage.
  • The Boilermakers are currently 9-2 over the last two weeks of play.
  • #21 Alex Echazarreta picked up a huge win over the #21 USF Bulls. Echazarreta shut the Bulls out (1-0) as she picked up her third shutout this season and is the only pitcher to have shutouts this season.
  • Shortstop Rachel Becker leads the Boilermaker offense in batting avg. (.383), hits (36), slugging % (.585) and on-base % (.491).
  • As a team, Purdue has generated more at-bats than its opponents (828-820), total bases (348-338) and slugging % (.420-.412), while remaining even in hits (225-225). However, opponents have the edge in runs scored by 10 (129-139).
 
ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI AT A GLANCE
  • Illinois has not played in West Lafayette since March 23, 2019.
  • Ranked second in the Big Ten and 43rd nationally in batting average (.306), the Fighting Illini are led by Megan Ward, who owns a .370 avg. with a team-high 16 runs and 10 doubles.
  • Illinois' pitching staff is led by Sydney Sickels, whose team-best six wins (6-4) includes 12 starts in 16 appearances over 65.2 innings in the circle. Sickels has tossed double-digit strikeouts on three occasions this year, with a career-high 16 coming in a complete game shutout and no-hitter vs. Western Illinois (2/19).