WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Softball's junior outfielder, Khloe Banks, sophomore outfielder, Moriah Polar, and sophomore pitcher/infielder, Julia Gossett, landed spots on the 2025 Big Ten Players to Watch List as announced by the conference on Tuesday.
The Boilermakers ended the 2024 season with a 9th place finish in conference, going 25-27 overall. Purdue picked up a ranked win over rival, Northwestern, and series wins over Illinois, Iowa, and Rutgers. The Boilers fell in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament to in-state foe, Indiana to conclude the season.
Banks finished the 2024 season leading the Big Ten in stolen bases (24), 21st in runs scored (35), 28th in hits (50), and 18th in batting average (.345). The sophomore led the Boilermakers in batting average, runs scored, hits, doubles, and stolen bases. On the other side of the ball, Banks helped to command the outfield with a .988 fielding percentage.
Alongside Banks, Polar was recognized for outstanding defensive achievement, being named to the All-Big Defensive Team in 2024, while leading all Big-Ten outfielders in catches (132) and putouts (124). Polar was also ranked 4th in stolen bases (19), second in triples (7), 34th in hits (49), and 20th in walks (23) in the Big Ten Conference standings.
On the mound, Gossett made a name for herself in her debut season with the Boilermakers. Gossett led Purdue in wins (9), games started (19), appearances (31), innings pitched (117.1), shutouts (2), and strikeouts (69). The impactful performances from the freshman included complete game shutouts over Illinois and UIC, as well as a season and career-high ten strikeout performance over Iowa to secure the series victory.
The Boilermakers are set to begin the 2025 season on Feb. 6, with an 8:00 p.m. start time against the No. 8 ranked Aggies of Texas A&M.
For updates on Purdue Softball, follow the Boilermakers on Twitter (@PurdueSoftball), Instagram (@purduesoftball), and Facebook (Purdue Softball).
The Boilermakers ended the 2024 season with a 9th place finish in conference, going 25-27 overall. Purdue picked up a ranked win over rival, Northwestern, and series wins over Illinois, Iowa, and Rutgers. The Boilers fell in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament to in-state foe, Indiana to conclude the season.
Banks finished the 2024 season leading the Big Ten in stolen bases (24), 21st in runs scored (35), 28th in hits (50), and 18th in batting average (.345). The sophomore led the Boilermakers in batting average, runs scored, hits, doubles, and stolen bases. On the other side of the ball, Banks helped to command the outfield with a .988 fielding percentage.
Alongside Banks, Polar was recognized for outstanding defensive achievement, being named to the All-Big Defensive Team in 2024, while leading all Big-Ten outfielders in catches (132) and putouts (124). Polar was also ranked 4th in stolen bases (19), second in triples (7), 34th in hits (49), and 20th in walks (23) in the Big Ten Conference standings.
On the mound, Gossett made a name for herself in her debut season with the Boilermakers. Gossett led Purdue in wins (9), games started (19), appearances (31), innings pitched (117.1), shutouts (2), and strikeouts (69). The impactful performances from the freshman included complete game shutouts over Illinois and UIC, as well as a season and career-high ten strikeout performance over Iowa to secure the series victory.
The Boilermakers are set to begin the 2025 season on Feb. 6, with an 8:00 p.m. start time against the No. 8 ranked Aggies of Texas A&M.
For updates on Purdue Softball, follow the Boilermakers on Twitter (@PurdueSoftball), Instagram (@purduesoftball), and Facebook (Purdue Softball).