PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Purdue (30-15, 9-9 Big Ten) secured the series victory over Rutgers, sweeping the Saturday doubleheader, using a dominant offensive outburst in game one before holding off the Scarlet Knights in game two.
Moriah Polar continued her dominant season, earning her 200th career-hit and etching her name into the record book once again, becoming the program’s single-season record holder for runs scored (55), breaking Katie Mitchell’s record from 2007. With her 85th hit of the season, Polar also tied the program’s single season hits mark, set by Ashley Hall also in 2007.
Purdue is on record watch as a team for single-season runs, RBI, and home runs for the 2026 season, with senior Khloe Banks also just five runs away from setting a new career-record at Purdue.
BOILER BITS (Game 1)
Offensive Highlights
- Anna Moore: 3-for-5, 5 RBI
- Moriah Polar: 2-for-4, 3 R, RBI
- Khloe Banks: 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI, 3B
Pitching Breakdown
- Brooke Perez: (W,8-2) 5.2 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 6 BB, 4 K, 30 BF
- Brianna Fontenot: 0.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 BF
- Emma Bailey: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BF
- Julia Gossett: (S, 3) 1.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 7 BF
In game one, Purdue erupted early and never looked back, plating nine runs in the top of the first inning. The inning featured RBI hits from Khloe Banks, Anna Moore and Ashlynn Campbell, along with multiple bases-loaded walks and hit-by-pitches to break the game open.
Banks sparked the offense with an RBI triple, while Moore added a two-run double and later contributed another RBI single in the frame. Purdue sent 14 batters to the plate and built a commanding lead in the first.
The Boilermakers added insurance throughout the game, including an RBI groundout from Bella Douglas in the third, a sacrifice fly from Kylie Franks in the fifth and an RBI double from Moore in the sixth.
The Scarlet Knights did not go down easy, and matched each Purdue effort with runs of their own, plating 11 runs to Purdue’s 13.
In the circle, Brooke Perez earned the win, working into the middle innings before Purdue used a combination of pitchers to secure the victory, with Julia Gossett earning her third save of the season. The staff limited Rutgers’ momentum despite a late push that included a two-run homer from the Scarlet Knights.
Offensive Highlights (Game Two)
- Moriah Polar: 2-for-4, R, SB
- Haley Painter: 2-for-4, 3 RBI, 2B
- Khloe Banks: 1-for-4, RBI
Pitching Breakdown (Game Two) - Julia Gossett (W, 12-8): 7.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, 31 BF
In game two, Purdue leaned on timely hitting and a strong outing from Gossett to clinch the sweep, after taking the series in game one.
The Boilermakers broke through in the third inning, when Haley Painter delivered a two-RBI double to give Purdue its first lead of the game.
After Rutgers answered with solo home runs in the third and fifth innings, Purdue responded in the seventh. Capitalizing on an error and aggressive baserunning, the Boilermakers pushed across two runs on RBI singles from Khloe Banks and Painter to regain control.
Gossett handled the rest, going the distance in the circle to earn the win after closing out game one with a save in game one.
Purdue returns to action next weekend as it continues Big Ten play hosting Northwestern, and taking on UIC and IU Indy for a pair of midweeks.
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