EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Purdue softball team split its series-opening doubleheader at Michigan State on Friday afternoon.
Neither side could muster much offense in the opener, a 4-2 win for Michigan State (8-15). In the nightcap, Ryleigh Scott drove in five runs, as Purdue (9-21) held off a late Spartan run to win 8-7.
GAME 1
Purdue dropped the opener in a low-scoring decision, scoring single runs in the third and fifth, only for the Spartans to tally two runs in the third and sixth frames.
Michigan State won the hit battle 10-6, as both sides left six runners on base. Kaitlyn Brannstrom notched her sixth multi-hit game of the year, going 2-for-3 with a double.
The Boilermakers struck first in the top of the third. Ryleigh Scott dribbled an infield RBI single through the right side to bring in Kiara Dillon from second. Michigan State quickly erased the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning.
After Savanah Henley checked into the circle in the fourth, Purdue leveled the score in the top of the fifth. Kaeley Hallada chopped a first pitch single over the pitcher's head for an RBI single, bringing in Rachel Becker from second standing up.
The Spartans retook the lead for good with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Purdue starter Alex Echazarreta went three innings with one strikeout along with two walks, five hits and pair of earned runs surrendered.
Henley tossed 2 2/3 innings in relief, fanning a trio in the process. The lefty was on the hook for the two runs in the sixth after she made her exit after scattering four hits without a walk. Sydney Bates was saddled with the loss in her 1/3 inning of action, giving up one hit.
Michigan State starter Ashley Miller lasted five innings, working around five hits and two walks to strikeout six and give up the two runs. Sarah Ladd came on in relief to throw the final two innings and strike out five.
Purdue – 2, Michigan State - 4
Winning pitcher: Sarah Ladd (3-6)
Losing pitcher: Sydney Bates (4-5)
GAME 2
The offenses erupted in Purdue's 8-7 win in the nightcap. The two clubs combined for 26 hits, while the Boilermakers finished one run and hit shy of their season highs, tallying 14 knocks on the afternoon.
Entering the second game, Ryleigh Scott had 15 RBI and three triples in her career. The senior posted a career-high five RBI and two triples as a part of a 2-for-4 day, taking part in six of Purdue's eight runs. The five RBI were the most by a Boilermaker since April 12, 2019.
Rachel Becker posted her second three-hit game of the campaign with a 3-for-4, two-run, one-RBI afternoon. Becca Jones tallied her first multi-hit outing and set a new career high with three runs scored. Kiara Dillon also came across the plate twice.
Purdue jumped out to a big lead with six straight runs to open the game. Becker opened the game with a leadoff single and later scored as a result of an error when Kaeley Hallada dropped a one-out sacrifice bunt.
An inning later, the Boilermakers poured on four runs on four hits. Following an intentional walk to Becker to load the bases and with Michigan State bringing in five infielders on a shift, Scott roped her first triple to the gap in right center to drive in three runs. Hallada added another run during the next at-bat with an RBI single through the left side.
Becker tacked on Purdue's sixth run in the top of the third on an RBI double to right field. The Spartans responded in the bottom half of the third, driving in three runs on four hits.
Starting pitcher Ashley Peters punched two in her three innings of action. The southpaw worked around five hits and surrendered three earned runs with no walks.
Savanah Henley picked up the win in relief, going 2 2/3 innings, giving up five hits and two runs. Sydney Preston tossed 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. Sydney Bates came on for the seventh to close out the game.
Michigan State nearly completed a five-run comeback, scoring four runs on five hits in the final two innings.
Purdue hit .350 with runners in scoring position and .714 in leadoff spots.
Purdue – 8, Tulane - 7
Winning pitcher: Savanah Henley (2-5)
Losing pitcher: Jala Wright (1-5)
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers will return for a 1 p.m. first pitch Saturday against the Spartans.