WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – After opening the day with a walk-off eight-inning victory, the Purdue softball squad (14-18, 2-4 Big Ten) secured its first Big Ten series win of the season with a 5-3 decision vs. Rutgers (21-15, 3-3 Big Ten) in Game 3.
Madi Elish (3-5) went the distance for her second complete game of the season, feeding the defense throughout the game for 21 putouts and 10 assists for the fifth 20-putout, 10-assist game of the season. Elish dished out two strikeouts and allowed four hits on three runs and two walks in the outing.
After falling yesterday in a close battle, the Boilermakers surged back on Day 2, taking both games in the doubleheader vs. Rutgers for the series win. In both wins, Purdue racked up five runs in a single inning, totaling five in the fifth inning of the series' Game 2 and five in the third inning in Game 3, which proved to be the difference-maker.
A sacrifice fly and a two-run homer by Rutgers gave the Scarlet Knights a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning, however the Boilermakers responded immediately with five runs in the bottom of the frame. The Boilermakers loaded the bases and walked in two straight runs following back-to-back hit-by-pitches, which allowed Moriah Polar and Khloe Banks to score. Sage Scarmardo, the national leader in hit-by-pitch, registered her 18th HBP of the season for Purdue to post its first run of the game. With the play, Scarmardo has reached base in 20 of the last 21 consecutive games. The game-winner came on a two RBI single by catcher Ryen Ross and an insurance run was notched on Olivia McFadden's RBI single, which scored Kyndall Bailey.
Purdue was out-hit 3-4 in the outing. A clean defensive performance by both teams resulted in no errors.
Purdue returns to action on Wednesday for a doubleheader at Indiana, which will air on Big Ten Network at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET. Then, the Boilermakers will host Iowa for a weekend series at Bittinger Stadium. Weekend promotions include Diversity & Inclusion Night on Friday (5 p.m. ET), Barbie at Bitt on Saturday (2 p.m. ET) and National Beer Day and Bark in the Park on Sunday (1 p.m. ET).
Madi Elish (3-5) went the distance for her second complete game of the season, feeding the defense throughout the game for 21 putouts and 10 assists for the fifth 20-putout, 10-assist game of the season. Elish dished out two strikeouts and allowed four hits on three runs and two walks in the outing.
After falling yesterday in a close battle, the Boilermakers surged back on Day 2, taking both games in the doubleheader vs. Rutgers for the series win. In both wins, Purdue racked up five runs in a single inning, totaling five in the fifth inning of the series' Game 2 and five in the third inning in Game 3, which proved to be the difference-maker.
A sacrifice fly and a two-run homer by Rutgers gave the Scarlet Knights a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning, however the Boilermakers responded immediately with five runs in the bottom of the frame. The Boilermakers loaded the bases and walked in two straight runs following back-to-back hit-by-pitches, which allowed Moriah Polar and Khloe Banks to score. Sage Scarmardo, the national leader in hit-by-pitch, registered her 18th HBP of the season for Purdue to post its first run of the game. With the play, Scarmardo has reached base in 20 of the last 21 consecutive games. The game-winner came on a two RBI single by catcher Ryen Ross and an insurance run was notched on Olivia McFadden's RBI single, which scored Kyndall Bailey.
Purdue was out-hit 3-4 in the outing. A clean defensive performance by both teams resulted in no errors.
Purdue returns to action on Wednesday for a doubleheader at Indiana, which will air on Big Ten Network at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET. Then, the Boilermakers will host Iowa for a weekend series at Bittinger Stadium. Weekend promotions include Diversity & Inclusion Night on Friday (5 p.m. ET), Barbie at Bitt on Saturday (2 p.m. ET) and National Beer Day and Bark in the Park on Sunday (1 p.m. ET).