BOCA RATON, Fla. – In the opening day of play, the Purdue softball team posted two wins with a 7-3 victory over Northern Illinois (NIU) and a 5-3 win against Bethune-Cookman at the FAU First Pitch Classic.
Six Boilermakers found their way across home plate in the first four innings of the day. Additionally, Purdue's seven runs versus NIU is the most in a season-opener since 2016 (W, 8-1 vs. Southern Utah) and the most runners to score in a single game since May 4, 2019 versus Illinois.
On the day, Purdue produced a .304 batting average following a combined 12 runs on 17 hits. Newcomers Cora Bassett and Skye Webb led the way for Boilermaker victories following decisive performances at the plate.
Bassett, a freshman, secured one run and four hits on the day, with a team-leading .875 slugging percentage. In Bassett's inaugural day in collegiate play, the Newburgh, Indiana, native batted .500, which ties for the team lead with Webb.
Meanwhile, Georgia Tech transfer Webb made a stellar Boilermaker debut with a team-leading four runs and a .500 batting average through the first two games.
Purdue returns to action Saturday with a doubleheader versus Indiana State at 3:45 p.m. ET before taking on its host, FAU at 8:15 p.m. ET. Fans can listen in live HERE.
HIGHLIGHTS VS. NIU
Bottom of the 1st
With runners on second and third, Kendall Chase connected on a hit, sending Webb home. Boilermakers took the 1-0 lead.
Bottom of the 2nd
Purdue scored four runners, the most in an inning on day one. Runs came from Rachel Krysko, Alexa Binckes, Rachel Becker and Webb. Meanwhile, RBIs were notched by Binckes, Becker, Webb and Bassett. Purdue took a 5-0 lead.
Bottom of the 3rd
With the bases loaded, Rylee Platusic singled through the left side, gaining a RBI when Madison Douglass crossed home. Purdue took a 6-1 lead.
Bottom of the 4th
Wilhoit earned her first RBI of the season with her fly out to center field, allowing Bassett to score. Purdue took a 7-1 lead.
Top of the 5th
NIU sought a come-back after recording two runs, however the Boilermaker defense shut down any further opportunities.
HIGHLIGHTS VS. BETHUNE-COOKMAN
Top of the 1st
Chase singled through the right side, earning an RBI after Webb scored. Purdue took the 1-0 lead.
Bottom of the 1st
Bethune Cookman took the lead after a home run was notched with a man on third base.
Top of the 3rd
With Webb on first, Bassett sent a triple to right center field for the Boilermakers to even the game up 2-2.
Top of the 4th
Purdue scored three runs to retake the lead, 5-3. First, Wilhoit opened Purdue's batting with a double to left center. With the Bethune-Cookman first baseman error, Wilhoit scored for Purdue to even the game 3-3. Then with the bases loaded, Platusic scored, followed by Meenan.
Six Boilermakers found their way across home plate in the first four innings of the day. Additionally, Purdue's seven runs versus NIU is the most in a season-opener since 2016 (W, 8-1 vs. Southern Utah) and the most runners to score in a single game since May 4, 2019 versus Illinois.
On the day, Purdue produced a .304 batting average following a combined 12 runs on 17 hits. Newcomers Cora Bassett and Skye Webb led the way for Boilermaker victories following decisive performances at the plate.
Bassett, a freshman, secured one run and four hits on the day, with a team-leading .875 slugging percentage. In Bassett's inaugural day in collegiate play, the Newburgh, Indiana, native batted .500, which ties for the team lead with Webb.
Meanwhile, Georgia Tech transfer Webb made a stellar Boilermaker debut with a team-leading four runs and a .500 batting average through the first two games.
Purdue returns to action Saturday with a doubleheader versus Indiana State at 3:45 p.m. ET before taking on its host, FAU at 8:15 p.m. ET. Fans can listen in live HERE.
HIGHLIGHTS VS. NIU
Bottom of the 1st
With runners on second and third, Kendall Chase connected on a hit, sending Webb home. Boilermakers took the 1-0 lead.
Bottom of the 2nd
Purdue scored four runners, the most in an inning on day one. Runs came from Rachel Krysko, Alexa Binckes, Rachel Becker and Webb. Meanwhile, RBIs were notched by Binckes, Becker, Webb and Bassett. Purdue took a 5-0 lead.
Bottom of the 3rd
With the bases loaded, Rylee Platusic singled through the left side, gaining a RBI when Madison Douglass crossed home. Purdue took a 6-1 lead.
Bottom of the 4th
Wilhoit earned her first RBI of the season with her fly out to center field, allowing Bassett to score. Purdue took a 7-1 lead.
Top of the 5th
NIU sought a come-back after recording two runs, however the Boilermaker defense shut down any further opportunities.
HIGHLIGHTS VS. BETHUNE-COOKMAN
Top of the 1st
Chase singled through the right side, earning an RBI after Webb scored. Purdue took the 1-0 lead.
Bottom of the 1st
Bethune Cookman took the lead after a home run was notched with a man on third base.
Top of the 3rd
With Webb on first, Bassett sent a triple to right center field for the Boilermakers to even the game up 2-2.
Top of the 4th
Purdue scored three runs to retake the lead, 5-3. First, Wilhoit opened Purdue's batting with a double to left center. With the Bethune-Cookman first baseman error, Wilhoit scored for Purdue to even the game 3-3. Then with the bases loaded, Platusic scored, followed by Meenan.