ATLANTA, Ga. – Purdue Softball used early power and a four-run fifth inning to hold off a late rally and secure an 8–6 win over Charleston Cougars, before falling in a nightcap with the Georgia State Panthers.
BOILER BITS (Game 1 vs College of Charleston)
Offensive Highlights
- Khloe Banks: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, 2 SB
- Anna Moore: 2-for-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, 2B
- Delaney Reefe: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
- Bella Douglas: 2-for-4, HR, RBI
- Haley Painter: 1-for-4, RBI
Pitching Breakdown
- Brooke Perez: (W, 2–0), 4.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, BB, K
- Brianna Fontenot: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB
Purdue struck first in the opening inning as Bella Douglas launched a solo home run to deep center field to give the Boilermakers a 1–0 lead.
The offense continued to build momentum in the second inning as Khloe Banks singled and scored on Delaney Reefe’s two-run home run to left, before Kendyl Rainey added a single and later stole second to keep pressure on Charleston’s defense.
After Charleston scored two unearned runs in the fourth to cut the margin to one, Purdue answered with its biggest inning of the game in the fifth. Moriah Polar opened the frame with a double, then Haley Painter drove her in with an RBI single. Anna Moore followed with a double, setting the stage for Banks, who ripped a two-run double down the left-field line. Banks later stole third and scored on a wild pitch to cap the four-run inning and extend Purdue’s lead to 7–3.
Charleston responded with a run in the bottom of the fifth, but Purdue added insurance in the seventh when Moore led off the inning with a solo home run to deep center field.
The Cougars mounted a late push in the bottom of the seventh, scoring three runs and bringing the tying run to the plate, but Purdue’s defense turned a game-ending double play to close out the victory.
Purdue finished with 12 hits, including four extra-base hits, and stole three bases, while the pitching staff limited Charleston to six hits across seven innings. The last time Purdue hit three home runs in a game was back in 2024, earning an 11-1 victory over Purdue Fort Wayne on Mar. 1, 2024.
BOILER BITS
Offensive Highlights
- Anna Moore: 2-for-3, R, 2B
- Khloe Banks: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI
- Moriah Polar: 1-for-4, R
- Ashlynn Campbell: 1-for-2, R, BB
Pitching Breakdown
- Emma Bailey: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB
- Malone Moore: 0.0 IP, 1 R, 2 BB
- Julia Gossett: (L, 2-3) 3.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
- Brianna Fontenot: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER
Purdue opened the scoring in the top of the second inning. Anna Moore doubled to center and moved to third on a passed ball before Banks drove her in with an RBI double to give the Boilermakers a 1–0 lead.
Georgia State answered in the bottom half with a sacrifice fly, but Purdue regained the advantage in the third. Ashlynn Campbell worked a leadoff walk and advanced on a bunt single from Polar. After both runners moved up on a double steal, Julia Gossett lifted a sacrifice fly to right to score Campbell. Moments later, Polar crossed the plate when Painter reached on a Georgia State error, extending Purdue’s lead to 3–1.
The Panthers cut the deficit to one with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third, then broke through in the sixth. Georgia State sent nine batters to the plate, scoring five runs on five hits and a Purdue error to take a 7–3 lead.
Purdue was unable to answer in the final two innings, as Georgia State retired the side in order in the seventh to close out the game.
The Boilermakers finished with five hits and played aggressive small ball, recording two stolen bases and multiple productive outs. Purdue stranded four runners and was held scoreless over the final four innings.
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