Game One PDF // Game Two PDF
DURHAM, N.C. - Purdue (1-6) fell in its opening two games of the B1G/ACC Challenge, first falling to Virginia Tech (4-2) 2-0 prior to its loss to Duke (4-3) 4-0. Kaitlynn Moody and Sydney Bates each turned in complete game efforts on the day.
After a leadoff home run by the Hokies game one, Bates settled in and allowed just one more run over six total innings of work with 10 strikeouts to give the Boilermakers a chance. However, Purdue only managed five hits in the contest as Emily Kenny and Stephanie Ramsey each singled twice, going 2-for-3 on the day with Ryleigh Scott registering a hit as well. The Boilermakers had eight baserunners total in the game with walks by Mallory Baker and Alexa Binckes and a hit by pitch by Lexi Huffman. Jenny Behan contributed two assists and a pair of putouts in key situations to hold off the Hokies.
Game two was a defensive showdown as it was a 2-0 game until the bottom of the sixth. Duke struck early, tagging Moody for a run in each of the first two innings. Freshmen Scott and Rachel Krzysko both made clutch plays in the outfield that saved runs to keep Purdue in the ballgame. Krzysko hit Huffman on a cutoff to home that gunned down a runner trying to score in the second. Scott followed by running a ball down at the warning track in the third and made the throw to double off a runner scrambling back to first. Binckes provided Purdue's lone hit of the game with Huffman and Halle Hixenbaugh each earning walks.
The Boilermakers look to bounce back against the Blue Devils Saturday, Feb. 17, at noon ET. Purdue gets a rematch with Virginia Tech Sunday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m.
