Box Score (Game One) // Box Score (Game Two)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue (7-24, 1-2 B1G) was out-slugged by hot-hitting Illinois (21-10, 2-1 B1G) in its doubleheader on Friday afternoon at Bittinger Stadium. Illinois used an eight-run ninth in game one to tie the series with a 14-6 score and then continued its success at the plate in game two, defeating the Boilermakers 10-2.
The Boilermakers put themselves in a position to win both games but the Illini were able to lock in when the game was on the line to seal the victories. Purdue trailed the entirety of game one until the sixth inning when it used a five-run rally to tie the game at six heading into the seventh. Kaitlynn Moody came in and shut down the Illini for two frames but the Boilermakers couldn't capitalize on multiple RBI opportunities, allowing Illinois to break out in the ninth to earn the victory. The Boilermakers also pulled within one in the fourth with a pair of runs but Illinois was able to respond with seven runs over the next two frames to defeat Purdue in six innings.
Stephanie Ramsey boosted her season average to a team-best, .318 thanks to five hits in seven at-bats including her second home run of her career. The junior also drove in four runs on the day and scored a pair of her own. Ryleigh Scott continues her tear in the two spot as she registered three hits on the day and scored a run to lift her average to .311 on the year. Alexa Binckes had her best day at the plate this season as she went 4-for-7 with a double, including a 3-for-3 effort in game two.
In game one, it was the 6-7-8 hitters for the Boilermakers who did all the damage as they were credited with all six of Purdue's RBI in the contest. Ramsey, Siena Wagner and Tayler Wullenweber all had two RBI each while Wullenweber finished with a perfect 2-for-2 effort off the bench. Wagner went 2-for-3 with a run scored as well.
The Boilermakers shift their focus to their midweek contest against in-state foe Notre Dame. Purdue faces the Fighting Irish in South Bend, Indiana, on Wednesday, March 28 at 5 p.m. ET.
