CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Boilers (10-6) took the 5-0 shutout victory over Central Arkansas (5-9) to open the Coach B Classic in Carbondale, Ill.
Kylie Franks hit her first-career home run, while Madi Elish earned her first-career save. Kendall Klochack earned the win in the game, moving to a 3-1 on the year.
BOILER BITS (vs. UCA)
Offensive Highlights:
Moriah Polar: 3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R
Kylie Franks: 2-for-3, RBI, 2 R
Khloe Banks: 1-for-3, 2 R
Pitching Breakdown:
Kendall Klochack (W, 3-1) 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 K, 18 BF
Madi Elish (S-1), 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K, 8 BF
HOW IT HAPPENED
Purdue scored early and often in the victory over UCA. The Boilers began the first inning with a walk from Khloe Banks, followed by a single from Moriah Polar. The next play, Banks scored on a wild pitch, which also advanced Polar to third. The Boilers put their second run on the board on an RBI groundout from Julia Gossett.
In the second inning, Purdue added one more run on a solo shot to left field from Kylie Franks. The homer was the only hit in the inning, and it was the first of her career for Franks. The third inning saw a hit from Polar, followed by back-to-back walks to Kyndall Bailey, and Gossett, but a fielder's choice and a line out ended the threat for UCA.
The fourth and fifth innings were quiet on both sides, before the Boilers added two more runs in the sixth. Alivia Meeks led off the inning with a single to right, and was then replaced by pinch runner, Maura Condon. Franks added a single, advancing Condon to second and putting two on for Purdue. A sacrifice-bunt from Ashlynn Campbell advanced both runners to scoring position, but a fielder's choice from Banks saw Condon get thrown out at home. Polar came up clutch on the next play, plating both Franks and Banks on a two-run double to left field, which secured the final runs of the game.
On the mound, Kendall Klochack tossed five scoreless innings with two strikeouts to earn the win, while Madi Elish worked two scoreless innings to earn her first-career save.
UP NEXT
The Boilers take on Purdue Fort Wayne, and the host team, SIU, on Saturday, Mar. 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. ET, respectively. The game against SIU will be streamed on ESPN+.
For updates on Purdue Softball, follow the Boilermakers on Twitter (@PurdueSoftball), Instagram (@purduesoftball), and Facebook (Purdue Softball).