PISCATAWAY, N.J. — In the eighth inning, fifth-year designated player Alex Echazarreta notched the game-winning two-run home run to clinch Purdue softball's 6-3 victory at Rutgers. With the win, the Boilermakers clinched the series, earning the 2-0 advantage heading into the final game, which is set for tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET on B1G+.
The Boilermakers scored on both ends of the game, with three runs over the first three innings and another three in the eighth.
Earning the win was pitcher Madi Elish, who improves to 6-1 on the season after also earning yesterday's win at Rutgers. The Boilermaker started and ended the game, recording one strikeout, no walks, four hits and one run allowed over her four innings pitched.
Purdue's victory was sealed in extras with two outs. Shortstop Tyrina Jones came just shy of a home run as the ball hit off the top of the centerfield wall and bounced back into play, turning a would-be home run into a double. The next at-bat was Echazarreta, who then picked up where Jones left off, hitting one out of the park. Olivia McFadden followed it up with a single before freshman Rita Nuss recorded her first double of her career for Purdue's insurance run.
The Boilermakers out-hit the Scarlet Knights 9-7, despite committing two errors in the outing.
The win marked Purdue's first extra-inning victory of the season in addition to the first time the team has scored in all three opening frames this year.
The Boilermakers scored on both ends of the game, with three runs over the first three innings and another three in the eighth.
Earning the win was pitcher Madi Elish, who improves to 6-1 on the season after also earning yesterday's win at Rutgers. The Boilermaker started and ended the game, recording one strikeout, no walks, four hits and one run allowed over her four innings pitched.
Purdue's victory was sealed in extras with two outs. Shortstop Tyrina Jones came just shy of a home run as the ball hit off the top of the centerfield wall and bounced back into play, turning a would-be home run into a double. The next at-bat was Echazarreta, who then picked up where Jones left off, hitting one out of the park. Olivia McFadden followed it up with a single before freshman Rita Nuss recorded her first double of her career for Purdue's insurance run.
The Boilermakers out-hit the Scarlet Knights 9-7, despite committing two errors in the outing.
The win marked Purdue's first extra-inning victory of the season in addition to the first time the team has scored in all three opening frames this year.