MIAMI, Fla. - Purdue softball went perfect on opening day of the FAU & FIU Parent's Weekend Tournament, with a 2-1 win over Illinois State, before defeating host FIU, 6-3, on Friday at Felsberg Field at FIU Softball Stadium.
With the pair of wins, the Boilermakers extend to a six-game winning streak for the first time since 2015 and improve to 13-6 overall.
Purdue 2, Illinois State 1
After four quiet innings, the Boilermakers struck first with a two-run homer by junior Alexa Binckes in the top of the fifth. Freshman Kasey Wilhoit led off the frame with a walk, before Binckes cashed in with her second long ball of the season. Overall, the Boilermakers have 11 home runs on the year.
Illinois State (5-17) responded with a run in the bottom of the frame as three walks and a hit-by-pitch situation helped the Redbirds push one across.
With Purdue leading 2-1, the Boilermaker defense limited Illinois State to a single hit over the last two innings, securing the 2-1 victory. The final inning saw the Redbirds retire in order and senior Kaitlynn Moody collect her 24th strikeout on the year in relief action.
Redshirt sophomore Sydney Bates (4-2) earned the win in the circle, allowing just one run on three hits with one strikeout in 4.2 innings pitched. Moody collected her third save of the season, relinquishing only one hit while dealing two strikeouts.
At the plate, the Boilermakers outhit the Redbirds 5-4, with Wilhoit going 2-for-2 with one run, while Binckes topped the squad with two RBI. Senior Jenny Behan and sophomore Ryleigh Scott also delivered hits for Purdue.
Purdue 6, FIU 3
For a fourth-consecutive game, the Boilermakers struck first. Freshman Rachel Becker led off with a walk and stole second, before classmate Kasey Wilhoit drove her in with a single up the middle.
Two more hits and a pair of walks, helped Purdue to a 4-0 edge in the top of the third. Pinch runner Shyanne Sheffield scored on single to left field by classmate Kasey Wilhoit, while a single from junior Madison Douglass drove in Wilhoit and senior Jenny Behan.
Leading 4-0, Purdue strung together two more runs on three hits in the top of the sixth. Sophomore Ryleigh Scott, who was the first on base with a double to left center, scored on a double from senior Lexi Huffman. The Boilermakers got one last run with an RBI single from freshman Nicole Siess.
After going sixth innings without a run, FIU answered with three runs on two hits in the bottom of the seventh, but would not find the equalizer.
The Boilermakers tallied seven hits and two errors in the game, while the Panthers posted six hits and one miscue on the day. Wilhoit continued to lead Purdue's offense, going 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI.
In the circle, senior Kaitlynn Moody (4-2) earned the win, allowing just one run in 6.0 innings of work, while freshman Alex Echazarreta earned her first collegiate save, with zero runs in 0.2 innings pitched.
The Boilermakers continue play at the FAU & FIU Parent's Weekend Tournament with contests against North Dakota State and Yale on Saturday. First pitch for the contests are set for 3:45 p.m. ET and 6 p.m., respectively.
With the pair of wins, the Boilermakers extend to a six-game winning streak for the first time since 2015 and improve to 13-6 overall.
Purdue 2, Illinois State 1
After four quiet innings, the Boilermakers struck first with a two-run homer by junior Alexa Binckes in the top of the fifth. Freshman Kasey Wilhoit led off the frame with a walk, before Binckes cashed in with her second long ball of the season. Overall, the Boilermakers have 11 home runs on the year.
Illinois State (5-17) responded with a run in the bottom of the frame as three walks and a hit-by-pitch situation helped the Redbirds push one across.
With Purdue leading 2-1, the Boilermaker defense limited Illinois State to a single hit over the last two innings, securing the 2-1 victory. The final inning saw the Redbirds retire in order and senior Kaitlynn Moody collect her 24th strikeout on the year in relief action.
Redshirt sophomore Sydney Bates (4-2) earned the win in the circle, allowing just one run on three hits with one strikeout in 4.2 innings pitched. Moody collected her third save of the season, relinquishing only one hit while dealing two strikeouts.
At the plate, the Boilermakers outhit the Redbirds 5-4, with Wilhoit going 2-for-2 with one run, while Binckes topped the squad with two RBI. Senior Jenny Behan and sophomore Ryleigh Scott also delivered hits for Purdue.
Purdue 6, FIU 3
For a fourth-consecutive game, the Boilermakers struck first. Freshman Rachel Becker led off with a walk and stole second, before classmate Kasey Wilhoit drove her in with a single up the middle.
Two more hits and a pair of walks, helped Purdue to a 4-0 edge in the top of the third. Pinch runner Shyanne Sheffield scored on single to left field by classmate Kasey Wilhoit, while a single from junior Madison Douglass drove in Wilhoit and senior Jenny Behan.
Leading 4-0, Purdue strung together two more runs on three hits in the top of the sixth. Sophomore Ryleigh Scott, who was the first on base with a double to left center, scored on a double from senior Lexi Huffman. The Boilermakers got one last run with an RBI single from freshman Nicole Siess.
After going sixth innings without a run, FIU answered with three runs on two hits in the bottom of the seventh, but would not find the equalizer.
The Boilermakers tallied seven hits and two errors in the game, while the Panthers posted six hits and one miscue on the day. Wilhoit continued to lead Purdue's offense, going 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI.
In the circle, senior Kaitlynn Moody (4-2) earned the win, allowing just one run in 6.0 innings of work, while freshman Alex Echazarreta earned her first collegiate save, with zero runs in 0.2 innings pitched.
The Boilermakers continue play at the FAU & FIU Parent's Weekend Tournament with contests against North Dakota State and Yale on Saturday. First pitch for the contests are set for 3:45 p.m. ET and 6 p.m., respectively.