WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue softball opened its season with a gritty 9–8 victory over California Baptist on Thursday afternoon at Eller Media Stadium, fending off a late rally to secure the first win of the 2026 season.
BOILER BITS
Offensive Highlights
Moriah Polar: 4-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B, SB
Haley Painter: 2-for-3, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, R
Khloe Banks: 1-for-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Pitching Breakdown:
Julia Gossett: (W, 1–0), 4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 K, 23 BF
Brianna Fontenot: (S, 0-0), 2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 K, 13 BF
The Boilermakers wasted no time putting pressure on the Lancers’ pitching staff. Purdue struck for two runs in the second inning before adding one in the third, highlighted by timely hitting from Moriah Polar and Khloe Banks.
The offense broke the game open in the fourth, plating four runs to build a commanding 7–0 lead. Haley Painter delivered the biggest swing of the day, launching a three-run home run to left to cap the inning, the first of the season, and her first as a Boilermaker.
Polar remained perfect at the plate, finishing the day 4-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs, and a stolen base, while Banks drew two walks and drove in a pair of runs.
California Baptist mounted a comeback in the bottom half of the game, scoring five runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth to cut the deficit to one after the Boilers plated two in the top of the inning.
Purdue leaned on its pitching staff down the stretch, as Brianna Fontenot entered in relief and shut the door over the final 2.1 innings to earn the save in her collegiate debut.
Despite the late push, Purdue’s offense and early run production proved decisive. The Boilermakers finished with nine runs on seven hits and showed patience at the plate, drawing seven walks and going 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
For updates on Purdue Softball, follow the Boilermakers on Twitter (@PurdueSoftball), Instagram (@purduesoftball), and Facebook (Purdue Softball).