STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Boilermaker softball squad split the day in Starkville, picking up a 2-1 win over North Dakota State before falling to host Mississippi State, 1-5. With the day's results, Purdue's record moves to 12-9 on the season.
GAME ONE: Purdue 2, North Dakota State 1
Purdue clinched the win over North Dakota with a home run from Alex Echazarreta in the bottom of the sixth inning. Echazarreta led the day, not only recording the game-winner, but also pitching a complete game in the process.
In the game, the Boilermakers registered seven total hits with a career-best three singles from Jordyn Ramos, two from Ryen Ross, and one from Tyrina Jones. Khloe Banks earned the first run for Purdue in the bottom of the fifth.
Echazarreta went the distance in the circle with three strikeouts and only allowing one run. The win advanced her record to 5-6 on the season.
Purdue and North Dakota State both remained scoreless until the fifth inning when North Dakota State took the lead with one run. Purdue responded at the bottom of the inning with a hit by Ramos, which batted in fellow freshman Banks to tie the game back up. The Boilermakers defense held North Dakota State to one run while a homerun from Echazarreta notched the 2-1 win.
GAME TWO: Purdue 0, Mississippi State 6
After defeating North Dakota State, Purdue fell 1-5 to Mississippi State, dropping the Boilermakers record to 12-9 while the Bulldogs, a team receiving votes in the national polls, improved to 19-8.
Olivia McFadden earned the Boilermakers lone run in the fifth inning. The hit came in home run fashion and was the first of the season and second of the sophomore's career.
Purdue produced two hits, with a single by Echazarreta joining McFadden's homer.
Purdue's defense held the Bulldogs scoreless in the first three innings, but the Boilermakers fell behind as the Bulldogs took a three-run lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Purdue responded in the fifth inning with a home run, but the Bulldogs earned two more runs, securing their lead.
Alexa Pinarski (1-1) was tagged with the loss in her 3.1 innings pitched despite her one strikeout. Madi Elish, Mo Wimpee and Kendall Klochack all saw time in the circle with Mo Wimpee notching one strikeout.
Purdue will finish the week in Oxford, Mississippi for the Rebels Invitational. Tomorrow, Purdue will play two games: first another showdown vs. North Dakota State at 5 p.m. ET, followed by Samford at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Boilermakers will play two more games Friday and close the weekend with one game on Saturday.