ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Purdue (25-9, 5-3 Big Ten) used a six-run fifth inning and a 15-hit performance to power past Michigan (20-13, 1-7 Big Ten), 13–6, on Saturday afternoon at Hutchins Stadium.
Four different Boilers had three-hit performances, while five had multi hit performances. The 15 total hits against Michigan is the second-highest total this year, second to the record-breaking performance of 19 against Southern Illinois on Feb. 27
The Boilers earned just their fifth victory over Michigan in the all-time series, now trailing the Wolverines 54-5.
BOILER BITS
Offensive Highlights
- Moriah Polar: 3-for-5, 3 R, SB
- Anna Moore: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2B, BB
- Haley Painter: 3-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI
- Delaney Reefe: 2-for-2, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI
- Kylie Franks: 3-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI
- Ashlynn Campbell: 2 RBI, BB
Pitching Breakdown
- Brianna Fontenot: (W, 8–3) 4.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
- Brooke Perez: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB
- Julia Gossett: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
Purdue opened the scoring in the second inning. Ashlynn Campbell worked a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position before Kylie Franks lined an RBI single through the left side to give the Boilermakers a 1–0 lead.
The Boilermakers added to the lead in the third. Moriah Polar singled and advanced into scoring position before Haley Painter drove her in with an RBI single to make it 2–0.
In the fourth, Delaney Reefe extended the advantage with a solo home run to center field, a straight away shot over 222 feet to dead center, pushing the lead to 3–0.
Purdue broke the game open in the fifth, sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring six runs. Polar reached on an error to begin the inning before Anna Moore and Painter followed with singles to load the bases. Campbell drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, and Reefe added an RBI single. A pair of Michigan errors allowed two more runs to score before Franks capped the inning with a two-run single to extend the lead to 9–0.
Michigan responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth, using four hits to cut the deficit to 9–3.
Purdue answered in the sixth with two more runs. With runners on base, Campbell drove in a run on a fielder’s choice before Reefe lifted a sacrifice fly to center to push the lead to 11–3, earning her third RBI of the afternoon.
The Wolverines added three runs in the sixth, capitalizing on two hits, a hit-by-pitch, and a Purdue error to make it 11–6.
Purdue added insurance in the seventh. Franks doubled to lead off the inning, and after a single from Polar, Painter delivered a two-run single to left field to close out the scoring at 13–6.
Julia Gossett shut the door in relief, tossing two hitless innings as Purdue secured the road victory.
The Boilers will take on Michigan again for the rubber match tomorrow, Sunday, Mar. 29 at 1:00 p.m. est.
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