GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Purdue softball team moved to 10-3 on the season after sweeping the day at the UNCG Invitational. The Boilermakers registered a 1-0 win against RV North Carolina before taking UNC Greensboro 8-4 on its home turf.
Sydney Bates (6-1) led the Boilermakers with a complete game shutout over the Tar Heels for the team's first win over a team which was recognized in the ESPN.com/USA Softball or USA Today/NFCA top 25 polls this season.
The Boilermakers pulled out the victory versus UNC with a late push, scoring the lone run in the bottom of the sixth. In the win, Purdue out-hit the Tar Heels, 6-4 to hand them their second shutout of the year.
Pitcher Alex Echazarreta (1-0) made her return to the circle pitching 6.2 innings in the win over the Spartans. In her first game of the season, Echazarreta shutout UNCG through the first six innings, before re-entering in the bottom of the seventh.
A pair of home runs were notched in the victory at UNCG, with Skye Webb and Kasey Wilhoit each hitting out of the park. Webb's run was the game-winner for the Boilermakers, while Wilhoit's was the second run of the day for the sophomore.
Pinch runner Emilee Cox led the day with a run in each of Purdue's outings. The freshman entered following catcher Alexa Binckes' single vs. UNC for the game-winning run.
Meanwhile, two Kasey Wilhoit and Ryleigh Scott each notched a team game-high of two runs in the victory at UNCG. Making her first appearance in 2020, Scott went 2-2 on the day, the Boilermaker scored on both appearances and recorded a double on her first at-bat. Additionally, Wilhoit's second run
Purdue will be back in action tomorrow with a doubleheader versus Fairfield beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
NOTABLES
- The game signified the first complete game shutout of the season for Bates
- This season, Bates has allowed just four hits or less on four occasions
- Bates allowed no walks vs. UNC and struck out three
- Becker led the team with two hits vs. UNC
- Ryleigh Scott earned a double at her first at-bat in the 2020 season vs. UNCG
- Webb recorded a homer for the second consecutive weekend vs. UNCG