ORLANDO, Fla. - Powered by a career-best 12 strike outs from senior Kaitlynn Moody, Purdue softball (10-6) shut out Savannah State after defeating Bradley, 4-2 on day two of the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic at the ESPN World Wide of Sports Complex on Saturday.
The Boilermakers dished outs 13 hits on the day and have totaled 18 runs so far on the weekend.
Purdue 4, Bradley 2
The Braves grabbed a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, but the Boilermakers rallied to tie it up in the sixth and scored two unearned runs in the seventh to pull away with a 4-2 victory.
Bradley struck first in the opening frame as a double to right center brought home the game's first run. A single by Stacia Seeton put two on and it was a 2-0 Bradley lead after an RBI single by Katie Habryle.
Purdue threatened in the top of the second, loading the bases, but Bradley would escape the pressure and end the inning on a fielder's choice.
Relentless, the Boilermaker offense kept pushing and finally broke through for a run in the top of the third. Purdue opened the frame with a double, single and a stolen base, before freshman Kasey Wilhoit cut the Bradley edge in half (2-1) with an RBI single.
The Boilermakers would load the bases in the next two innings, but would not be able to push a run across as they left 11 on through the first four frames.
Purdue's persistence paid off in the top of the sixth as senior Jenny Behan followed a one-out double by classmate Mallory Baker with an RBI single to even the score, 2-2.
The Boilermakers found the go-ahead in the top of the seventh as a BU error and a double to center by senior Lexi Huffman plated Purdue's third run. Freshman Rachel Becker plated Huffman with an insurance single as Purdue grabbed a 4-2 lead.
Redshirt sophomore Sydney Bates retired Bradley in order in the seventh to close out the Boilermaker victory. With the win the hurler improved to 3-2, while adding seven strike outs.
Purdue 5, Savannah State 0
The Boilermakers opened the scoring in the bottom of the first as freshman Rachel Becker reached on a walk, before a single by Mallory Baker moved her to third and the freshman stole home for the first run of the game.
With Purdue leading 1-0, both teams went quiet as freshman Kendall chase recorded the only hit for the next three innings.
A Jenny Behan home run over the right center wall broke the silence, before the Boilermakers earned a fourth run on a hit-by-pitch on a loaded bases situation. Sophomore Siena Wagner added a fourth run with a sprint to home on a wild pitch.
Leading 4-0, Purdue tacked on one last run with an RBI sac fly by Baker for a 5-0 victory.
In the circle, senior Kaitlynn Moody earned the win after a complete game effort. The veteran's performance was highlighted by a career-best 12 strikeouts. She is the first Boilermaker to reach double-digit strike outs this season as her performance ranks seventh for most strike outs in a game in program history.
Purdue closes out play at the Citrus Classic Sunday with a 9 a.m. ET game against Savannah State.
The Boilermakers dished outs 13 hits on the day and have totaled 18 runs so far on the weekend.
Purdue 4, Bradley 2
The Braves grabbed a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, but the Boilermakers rallied to tie it up in the sixth and scored two unearned runs in the seventh to pull away with a 4-2 victory.
Bradley struck first in the opening frame as a double to right center brought home the game's first run. A single by Stacia Seeton put two on and it was a 2-0 Bradley lead after an RBI single by Katie Habryle.
Purdue threatened in the top of the second, loading the bases, but Bradley would escape the pressure and end the inning on a fielder's choice.
Relentless, the Boilermaker offense kept pushing and finally broke through for a run in the top of the third. Purdue opened the frame with a double, single and a stolen base, before freshman Kasey Wilhoit cut the Bradley edge in half (2-1) with an RBI single.
The Boilermakers would load the bases in the next two innings, but would not be able to push a run across as they left 11 on through the first four frames.
Purdue's persistence paid off in the top of the sixth as senior Jenny Behan followed a one-out double by classmate Mallory Baker with an RBI single to even the score, 2-2.
The Boilermakers found the go-ahead in the top of the seventh as a BU error and a double to center by senior Lexi Huffman plated Purdue's third run. Freshman Rachel Becker plated Huffman with an insurance single as Purdue grabbed a 4-2 lead.
Redshirt sophomore Sydney Bates retired Bradley in order in the seventh to close out the Boilermaker victory. With the win the hurler improved to 3-2, while adding seven strike outs.
Purdue 5, Savannah State 0
The Boilermakers opened the scoring in the bottom of the first as freshman Rachel Becker reached on a walk, before a single by Mallory Baker moved her to third and the freshman stole home for the first run of the game.
With Purdue leading 1-0, both teams went quiet as freshman Kendall chase recorded the only hit for the next three innings.
A Jenny Behan home run over the right center wall broke the silence, before the Boilermakers earned a fourth run on a hit-by-pitch on a loaded bases situation. Sophomore Siena Wagner added a fourth run with a sprint to home on a wild pitch.
Leading 4-0, Purdue tacked on one last run with an RBI sac fly by Baker for a 5-0 victory.
In the circle, senior Kaitlynn Moody earned the win after a complete game effort. The veteran's performance was highlighted by a career-best 12 strikeouts. She is the first Boilermaker to reach double-digit strike outs this season as her performance ranks seventh for most strike outs in a game in program history.
Purdue closes out play at the Citrus Classic Sunday with a 9 a.m. ET game against Savannah State.