CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Purdue softball squad (8-6) were upended, 3-4 at North Carolina (8-10) in the weekend opener of the Carolina Classic.
Home runs were the Boilermakers' downfall as the Tar Heels capitalized with a three-run homer in the third inning, followed by another in the fifth, which served as the eventual game-winner. The Boilermakers, able to come back from the three-run deficit in the fifth with a trio of their own, but could not come back from North Carolina's second home run.
Purdue, the Big Ten leader in fielding %, remained errorless for the ninth time this season. Meanwhile, the Boilermakers were out-hit, 5-7, in the outing.
Among the hits were two doubles, with Alex Echazarreta securing one on her first at-bat and Purdue's first hit of the game. Then in the fourth inning, Tyrina Jones earned one on a hit to right center field. With the effort, Purdue has recorded one in the last 10 consecutive games.
Scoring for the Boilermakers were pinch runner Khloe Banks, Kiara Dillon and Kiersen George.
Echazarreta receives the loss after entering in relief for the final three innings. The fifth-year struck out one batter and allowed three hits as she moves to 1-5 on the season.
Purdue will return to Anderson Softball Field tomorrow for two games. First, Purdue will take on James Madison at 10 a.m. ET and return to face North Carolina one final time tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET. Then, the Boilermakers will close out their time in Chapel Hill with an 11 a.m. ET matchup vs. James Madison on Sunday.
Home runs were the Boilermakers' downfall as the Tar Heels capitalized with a three-run homer in the third inning, followed by another in the fifth, which served as the eventual game-winner. The Boilermakers, able to come back from the three-run deficit in the fifth with a trio of their own, but could not come back from North Carolina's second home run.
Purdue, the Big Ten leader in fielding %, remained errorless for the ninth time this season. Meanwhile, the Boilermakers were out-hit, 5-7, in the outing.
Among the hits were two doubles, with Alex Echazarreta securing one on her first at-bat and Purdue's first hit of the game. Then in the fourth inning, Tyrina Jones earned one on a hit to right center field. With the effort, Purdue has recorded one in the last 10 consecutive games.
Scoring for the Boilermakers were pinch runner Khloe Banks, Kiara Dillon and Kiersen George.
Echazarreta receives the loss after entering in relief for the final three innings. The fifth-year struck out one batter and allowed three hits as she moves to 1-5 on the season.
Purdue will return to Anderson Softball Field tomorrow for two games. First, Purdue will take on James Madison at 10 a.m. ET and return to face North Carolina one final time tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET. Then, the Boilermakers will close out their time in Chapel Hill with an 11 a.m. ET matchup vs. James Madison on Sunday.