WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Behind Purdue's 11 runs, the program clinched its third consecutive Big Ten series win as the team downed Illinois, 11-4. The victory marked the most consecutive series wins for the program since 2014.
It was Purdue's eighth straight win of the season as they improve to a 20-18 (7-4 Big Ten) record, while Illinois falls to 15-24 (2-9 Big Ten) on the season.
The Boilermakers never trailed in the game, taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning. The Fighting Illini came back with a three-run second inning to even the score, however Purdue poured on the runs in the fourth inning, a feat that proved insurmountable for Illinois.
Purdue matched a season-high 14 hits as it out-hit Illinois, 14-5 in the outing, recording two triples along the way, which were Purdue's most in a single game since 2022. In total, eight Boilermakers registered at least one run and three (Sage Scarmardo, Alivia Meeks and Tyrina Jones) produced two runs. Meanwhile, four Boilermakers: Moriah Polar (4), Tyrina Jones (3), Khloe Banks (2) and Meeks (2) each registered multiple hits.
Taking after her uniform number (44) Polar went a perfect 4-4 from the plate, becoming the first Boilermaker since Rachel Becker in 2021 to accomplish the feat, registering a career-high four hits in the outing while registering her second triple this week (last: vs. Indiana State, 4/9). Meanwhile, her three RBI are the most since setting a career-high four vs. Southern Illinois (2/25).
Relief pitcher Kendall Klochack secured the victory to move to 5-3 on the season. The junior allowed one run on two hits while striking out two batters over 4.2 innings in the circle. In total, she threw 42 strikes in 62 total pitches. Klochack entered the game for Madi Elish, who tossed the first 2.1 innings, with three hits and three runs.
Although Purdue scored 11 runs, 11 Boilermakers were left stranded. The Boilermakers were two runs shy of tying their season-high of 13.
Purdue will look to complete the series sweep tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET at Illinois.
It was Purdue's eighth straight win of the season as they improve to a 20-18 (7-4 Big Ten) record, while Illinois falls to 15-24 (2-9 Big Ten) on the season.
The Boilermakers never trailed in the game, taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning. The Fighting Illini came back with a three-run second inning to even the score, however Purdue poured on the runs in the fourth inning, a feat that proved insurmountable for Illinois.
Purdue matched a season-high 14 hits as it out-hit Illinois, 14-5 in the outing, recording two triples along the way, which were Purdue's most in a single game since 2022. In total, eight Boilermakers registered at least one run and three (Sage Scarmardo, Alivia Meeks and Tyrina Jones) produced two runs. Meanwhile, four Boilermakers: Moriah Polar (4), Tyrina Jones (3), Khloe Banks (2) and Meeks (2) each registered multiple hits.
Taking after her uniform number (44) Polar went a perfect 4-4 from the plate, becoming the first Boilermaker since Rachel Becker in 2021 to accomplish the feat, registering a career-high four hits in the outing while registering her second triple this week (last: vs. Indiana State, 4/9). Meanwhile, her three RBI are the most since setting a career-high four vs. Southern Illinois (2/25).
Relief pitcher Kendall Klochack secured the victory to move to 5-3 on the season. The junior allowed one run on two hits while striking out two batters over 4.2 innings in the circle. In total, she threw 42 strikes in 62 total pitches. Klochack entered the game for Madi Elish, who tossed the first 2.1 innings, with three hits and three runs.
Although Purdue scored 11 runs, 11 Boilermakers were left stranded. The Boilermakers were two runs shy of tying their season-high of 13.
Purdue will look to complete the series sweep tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET at Illinois.