JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Purdue softball team (12-5) fell to #19/20 Virginia Tech 4-0 and UNF 7-6.
In a heartbreaking ending at UNF, the game-winner was notched in the bottom of the seventh with two outs on the board and the bases loaded. The go-ahead run signified the first lead of the game by the Ospreys.
Sydney Bates recorded the pair of losses on the day to move to 7-3 on the season. The Boilermaker pitched a complete game against the Hokies and the final 1.1 innings at UNF.
In an errorless game, the Boilermakers produced 12 hits and six RBI. The effort was led by Kasey Wilhoit, who produced two of the team's six runs, two hits and a RBI. Additionally, Wilhoit blasted a home run for her second of the season on a ball that went beyond the right field fence.
Additionally, Skye Webb, the Big Ten leader in runs and triples, secured the game-winner with her fourth triple of the season. With the hit, Rachel Becker found home.
No. 19/20 Virginia Tech came was a pitchers' dual, that ended with three hits by the Boilermakers.
Rachel Becker, Ryleigh Scott and Alexa Binckes produced the Purdue singles. Becker registered a hit in her opening at-bat while Scott's came in the sixth inning. After singling to the shortstop, Scott made it all the way to third base before the final out was called. In a final push in the seventh, Alexa Binckes singled up the middle as the final Purdue hit of the game.
In the game, Bates threw seven hits, including a hard-hit two-run home run through the left field.
The Boilermakers will look to even the score tomorrow, when Purdue and No. 19/20 Virginia Tech meet at the Jacksonville University campus at 2 p.m. ET. Then, Purdue will take on Jacksonville at 6 p.m. ET.