Softball Returns Home for 3-Game Series vs. Maryland

SERIES INFORMATION
Friday, April 8
vs. Illinois | 4 p.m. ET | B1G+
Free Koozie & $2 Beer Night
 
Saturday, April 9
vs. Illinois | 2 p.m. ET | B1G+
Strike Out Cancer & Dog Days at the Park
 
Sunday, April 10
vs. Illinois | Noon ET | Big Ten Network
Alumnae Day, Free Purdue Backpack & Sunday Fun Day
 
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Returning home to Bittinger Stadium, the Purdue softball team (18-19, 1-4 B1G) is set to start the three-game series vs. Maryland (19-15, 5-1 B1G) Friday at Bittinger.

Due to impending weather, the opening game of the series, originally set for a 5 p.m. ET start will begin at 4 p.m. ET. Both Friday and Saturday's games will be streamed on B1G+, while Sunday's game will be the final chance to watch Purdue softball on the Big Ten Network this season.
 
SCHEDULE NOTES

• Purdue spent the first 36 games on the road, visiting four states over the first six weeks of play for the most games played heading into conference play.
• Purdue registered a 10-3 record over a three-week span (3/11-3/27), marking the program's best win streak since the 2019 season.
• Purdue faced three ranked opponents for a total of six games, recording 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's opening game in the Maryland series was moved up an hour to start at 4 p.m. ET on Friday to avoid weather conditions.

 
PURDUE BOILERMAKERS AT A GLANCE

• The Boilermaker offense is led by shortstop Rachel Becker, right fielder/utility Rylee Platusic and pitcher/designated player Alex Echazarreta.
• Becker leads Purdue in multiple categories, including batting average (.389), runs (31), hits (42) and on-base % (.492). Meanwhile, Echazarreta takes the edge by one in RBI (25) and also leads the team with a .663 slugging % and seven home runs.
• Ace Echazarreta is joined by elite company as the one of only three Big Ten pitchers to own at least a .330 batting average and a .663 slugging % (joined by Wisconsin's Komwent and Indiana's Copeland).
• Purdue has earned more triples (12-4) and home runs (27-11) than Maryland, in addition to averaging a stronger slugging % (.419-.385).
• The Boilermakers are known to score most of their runs in the first and third innings, tallying 27 and 29 runs, respectively, in each. Meanwhile, Purdue is most successful in limiting opponent runs in the first and last inning (seventh), allowing just 18 and 10 runs, respectively in each.

 
MARYLAND TERRAPINS AT A GLANCE

• Off to its best start in Big Ten play in program history, Maryland is also on a six-game win streak and owns a 4-3 record when on the road.
• Pitcher Trinity Schlotterbeck is coming off of a big series vs Iowa. In the first game (4/1) she allowed three runs over 5.1 innings and in the last game of the series (4/3), Schlotterbeck allowed just two runs and four hits in the seven-inning game in addition to notching her first career home run.
• Pitcher Courtney Wyche also had a great series vs. Iowa. In Game 2 (4/2) she allowed two runs on five hits in six innings. She recorded five strikeouts and has a 3.20 ERA.
• A strong offensive team, Maryland has seven players hitting above the .300 mark for batting average, including Kiley Goff (.309), who who spent her freshman season at Purdue.