IOWA CITY, Iowa – Despite controlling the second half of the game, the Purdue softball team (25-26, 11-12 Big Ten) concluded its season with a 3-6 loss to Indiana in the first round of the Big Ten Softball Tournament.
The No. 9 seed Boilermakers out-hit the No. 8 seed Hoosiers 5-0 over the final three frames and held the Hoosiers scoreless after the first two innings. In total, Purdue and Indiana each left seven runners stranded, committed one error. Indiana out-hit Purdue, 7-9 in the game.
The Boilermakers trailed the game from the opening frame after Indiana registered three runs in the first inning. Purdue responded by loading the bases on a pair of walks and a double by Sage Scarmardo in the second, however was unable to convert with just one out remaining in the inning. Indiana added a trio of runs in the second for the 0-6 lead.
Purdue found its rhythm in the fifth inning, posting three runs and four hits while capitalizing on Indiana miscues by scoring on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch. Purdue turned to the bottom of the frame with a quick three up, three down performance, which included a strikeout tossed by Kendall Klochack.
The outfielders registered each of the three runs for Purdue. Leading the day was All-Big Ten Defensive Team (outfield) honoree Moriah Polar, who registered an RBI single and run. Meanwhile, runs were scored by senior Kiara Dillon and Khloe Banks. Additionally, senior Hailey Hayes earned an RBI on the hit-by-pitch.
Led by first-year head coach Magali Frezzotti, the Boilermakers conclude their season after setting a program record for consecutive Big Ten wins, tying the program record for triples in a season (18) and 96 stolen bases, just three shy of tying fifth-most in Purdue history. The team's 11 Big Ten wins were the most since 2014 (excluding the Big Ten-only season due to COVID-19).
The No. 9 seed Boilermakers out-hit the No. 8 seed Hoosiers 5-0 over the final three frames and held the Hoosiers scoreless after the first two innings. In total, Purdue and Indiana each left seven runners stranded, committed one error. Indiana out-hit Purdue, 7-9 in the game.
The Boilermakers trailed the game from the opening frame after Indiana registered three runs in the first inning. Purdue responded by loading the bases on a pair of walks and a double by Sage Scarmardo in the second, however was unable to convert with just one out remaining in the inning. Indiana added a trio of runs in the second for the 0-6 lead.
Purdue found its rhythm in the fifth inning, posting three runs and four hits while capitalizing on Indiana miscues by scoring on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch. Purdue turned to the bottom of the frame with a quick three up, three down performance, which included a strikeout tossed by Kendall Klochack.
The outfielders registered each of the three runs for Purdue. Leading the day was All-Big Ten Defensive Team (outfield) honoree Moriah Polar, who registered an RBI single and run. Meanwhile, runs were scored by senior Kiara Dillon and Khloe Banks. Additionally, senior Hailey Hayes earned an RBI on the hit-by-pitch.
Led by first-year head coach Magali Frezzotti, the Boilermakers conclude their season after setting a program record for consecutive Big Ten wins, tying the program record for triples in a season (18) and 96 stolen bases, just three shy of tying fifth-most in Purdue history. The team's 11 Big Ten wins were the most since 2014 (excluding the Big Ten-only season due to COVID-19).