ATHENS, Ga. – Purdue closed out its opening day with an 8-2 victory vs. South Dakota (0-1). The win came off a 3-0 shutout vs. Murray State in the game prior, moving the Boilermakers to a 2-0 record under head coach Maggie Frezzotti.
All eight of Purdue's runs came in clutch timing, with two outs on the board in each of the scoring plays. In total, the Boilermakers out-hit the Coyotes 10-6, with eight of Purdue's hits coming off the bats of underclassmen.
Outfielder Khloe Banks led the outing with three runs and three hits and three stolen bases, which included stealing home in the fifth inning to give Purdue the 8-1 advantage. The sophomore ended the game batting .875 and contributed a key diving catch in deep left field during the second inning.
Infielder Sage Scarmardo batted 1.000 two hits on two at-bats. The sophomore scored a run, in addition to posting Purdue's first double play of the year, tagging out a runner on her way to second before making the toss in time to Alivia Meeks at first base during the sixth inning.
Purdue took the 1-0 lead in the second inning thanks to an RBI single by freshman Moriah Polar to score Banks. Then the team piled on six runs in the third inning to seal the win. Catcher Hailey Hayes blasted the team's first home on a three-run dinger to left field, which gave them the 4-0 lead and was followed by another Polar RBI double to score Kiara Dillon and a RBI single by Ashlynn Campbell to score Banks.
South Dakota found its rhythm late, managing a run in the fifth inning to stave off a run-rule, and added another in the seventh.
A trio of underclassmen saw time in the circle, with starter Julia Gossett tossing the first four innings, totaling two strikeouts, allowing just one hit and no walks after 51 pitches to earn the victory. Jules Raymond and Olivia Cainey came in relief, with Cainey closing out the last inning and earned the final out of the game with the bases loaded.
In total, Purdue allowed just two walks between both Game 1 and Game 2.
The Boilermakers return to Jack Turner Stadium tomorrow afternoon to take on host No. 6 Georgia at 3:30 p.m. ET on SECN+. Immediately following, Purdue will play South Dakota once more at 6 p.m. ET.
All eight of Purdue's runs came in clutch timing, with two outs on the board in each of the scoring plays. In total, the Boilermakers out-hit the Coyotes 10-6, with eight of Purdue's hits coming off the bats of underclassmen.
Outfielder Khloe Banks led the outing with three runs and three hits and three stolen bases, which included stealing home in the fifth inning to give Purdue the 8-1 advantage. The sophomore ended the game batting .875 and contributed a key diving catch in deep left field during the second inning.
Infielder Sage Scarmardo batted 1.000 two hits on two at-bats. The sophomore scored a run, in addition to posting Purdue's first double play of the year, tagging out a runner on her way to second before making the toss in time to Alivia Meeks at first base during the sixth inning.
Purdue took the 1-0 lead in the second inning thanks to an RBI single by freshman Moriah Polar to score Banks. Then the team piled on six runs in the third inning to seal the win. Catcher Hailey Hayes blasted the team's first home on a three-run dinger to left field, which gave them the 4-0 lead and was followed by another Polar RBI double to score Kiara Dillon and a RBI single by Ashlynn Campbell to score Banks.
South Dakota found its rhythm late, managing a run in the fifth inning to stave off a run-rule, and added another in the seventh.
A trio of underclassmen saw time in the circle, with starter Julia Gossett tossing the first four innings, totaling two strikeouts, allowing just one hit and no walks after 51 pitches to earn the victory. Jules Raymond and Olivia Cainey came in relief, with Cainey closing out the last inning and earned the final out of the game with the bases loaded.
In total, Purdue allowed just two walks between both Game 1 and Game 2.
The Boilermakers return to Jack Turner Stadium tomorrow afternoon to take on host No. 6 Georgia at 3:30 p.m. ET on SECN+. Immediately following, Purdue will play South Dakota once more at 6 p.m. ET.