LEESBURG, Fla. – The Purdue softball team (2-2) picked up a pair of wins against Penn State (0-4) Saturday evening.
The Boilermakers secured its first win of the season with the go-ahead run scored in the bottom of the seventh to end the game, 6-5. Then, Purdue scored a pair of runs in the fourth inning to give Purdue the momentum needed to close out the night with a 3-0 shutout against Penn State.
Sophomore Ashley Peters, pocketed both wins as a relief pitcher in game one and closing out the night as the lone Boilermaker in the circle. The evening marked the first complete game shutout of Peters' career, and just the third time she's thrown for the full seven innings. Additionally, the Rock Island, Illinois native's five strikeouts thrown in the final game of the day is a career-high.
Leading the day was Rachel Becker, who produced a team-leading three runs and Cora Bassett, who blasted a home run and four RBI. The home run was the second of Bassett's career, with her lone other also coming on the second day of opening weekend.
Game 1 | W, 6-5
In the bottom of the third, Kiara Dillon sent a triple out to right field, which she went on to score with the next batter, Rachel Becker, who singled on a bunt.
With Purdue up 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth, Becca Jones tripled as the first batter up. With two outs on the board, Rylee Platusic singled to center field for Jones to score and Purdue to take the 2-0 lead.
Then, in the fifth inning, Bassett sent the ball over the fence at left-center field to score Becker, who was on third and freshman Kiley Goff, who was on second, for the Boilermakers to extend their lead, 5-0.
Penn State responded in the sixth inning, scoring its five runs before Peters entered the circle to end the inning.
Purdue entered the bottom of the seventh with the game tied 5-5 at the top of the order. With the bases loaded and just one out on the board, freshman Kailtyn Brannstrom reached on an error by the shortstop, allowing Becker to score the winning run.
Game 2 | W, 3-0
In the top of the fourth inning with one out, Goff recorded her first double of her collegiate career, sending the ball to right center field. Then, with runners on first (Rylee Platusic) and third (Goff), freshman Kiersen George sent a sac fly out to right field to give fellow freshman Kiley Goff, the chance to score, unearned, for the eventual game-winner. Then, when freshman Kiara Dillon tripled to left center, Platusic scored from second base.
In the top of the seventh, Purdue added an insurance run with Becker scoring from second on a single up the middle from Bassett.
Up Next
Purdue will close out the opening weekend with a doubleheader against Rutgers tomorrow. Games are slated for 3:30 and 6 p.m. ET with live streaming coverage on Big Ten Network Plus and FloSoftball.
The Boilermakers secured its first win of the season with the go-ahead run scored in the bottom of the seventh to end the game, 6-5. Then, Purdue scored a pair of runs in the fourth inning to give Purdue the momentum needed to close out the night with a 3-0 shutout against Penn State.
Sophomore Ashley Peters, pocketed both wins as a relief pitcher in game one and closing out the night as the lone Boilermaker in the circle. The evening marked the first complete game shutout of Peters' career, and just the third time she's thrown for the full seven innings. Additionally, the Rock Island, Illinois native's five strikeouts thrown in the final game of the day is a career-high.
Leading the day was Rachel Becker, who produced a team-leading three runs and Cora Bassett, who blasted a home run and four RBI. The home run was the second of Bassett's career, with her lone other also coming on the second day of opening weekend.
Game 1 | W, 6-5
In the bottom of the third, Kiara Dillon sent a triple out to right field, which she went on to score with the next batter, Rachel Becker, who singled on a bunt.
With Purdue up 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth, Becca Jones tripled as the first batter up. With two outs on the board, Rylee Platusic singled to center field for Jones to score and Purdue to take the 2-0 lead.
Then, in the fifth inning, Bassett sent the ball over the fence at left-center field to score Becker, who was on third and freshman Kiley Goff, who was on second, for the Boilermakers to extend their lead, 5-0.
Penn State responded in the sixth inning, scoring its five runs before Peters entered the circle to end the inning.
Purdue entered the bottom of the seventh with the game tied 5-5 at the top of the order. With the bases loaded and just one out on the board, freshman Kailtyn Brannstrom reached on an error by the shortstop, allowing Becker to score the winning run.
Game 2 | W, 3-0
In the top of the fourth inning with one out, Goff recorded her first double of her collegiate career, sending the ball to right center field. Then, with runners on first (Rylee Platusic) and third (Goff), freshman Kiersen George sent a sac fly out to right field to give fellow freshman Kiley Goff, the chance to score, unearned, for the eventual game-winner. Then, when freshman Kiara Dillon tripled to left center, Platusic scored from second base.
In the top of the seventh, Purdue added an insurance run with Becker scoring from second on a single up the middle from Bassett.
Up Next
Purdue will close out the opening weekend with a doubleheader against Rutgers tomorrow. Games are slated for 3:30 and 6 p.m. ET with live streaming coverage on Big Ten Network Plus and FloSoftball.