LINCOLN, Neb. - The Boilers (18-16, 3-7 Big Ten) took down No. 20 Nebraska to the tune of 12 hits (26-9, 6-2 Big Ten) and six runs. Purdue defeated the Huskers to earn their first ranked win since defeating No. 21 Northwestern in 2024.
Julia Gossett pitched three scoreless innings in relief, while Moriah Polar went 4-for-4.
BOILER BITS (at #20 Nebraska)
Offensive Highlights:
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Boilers made some noise in the top of the first after Polar beat out an infield single, and Delaney Reefe and Gossett worked back-to-back walks. Purdue was unable to cash in a run and finished the inning with a pop up to center. Nebraska then took the lead in the bottom of the first, with a solo shot over the right field wall.
In the top of the third, the Boilers put a runner on third, after Khloe Banks reached on a catcher's interference, and a sac-bunt from Polar, and a ground out from Sage Scarmardo moved her over. The Huskers ended the damage earning a strikeout.
The Boilers continued to battle, loading the bases in the fourth inning, beginning with Jordyn Ramos taking her third hit by pitch of the weekend. Maura Condon earned herself an infield single before Kyndall Bailey's pinch hit at-bat got her on with another hit by pitch. With two outs, Banks fouled out to left field to end the threat.
The Huskers loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, But Elish worked out of the jam with a strikeout and a fly out to keep it a one-run ball game.
Purdue continued to be relentless as they plated three runs in the top of the fifth, taking the lead for the first time in the game. Polar led off the inning with a single up the middle, followed by a walk to Scarmardo. Reefe advanced the runners on a sac-bunt, allowing Gossett's single to bring Polar around to even the score. The momentum continued as Ramos drove in two runs on a single through the right side, giving Purdue the lead.
Purdue did not take its foot off the gas, adding on three more runs in the top of the sixth. Polar doubled to start the inning, before Scarmardo reached on an error. Both runners scored on a two-RBI double from Reefe. Gossett continued the inning with a single before Ramos added to her RBIs on the day with a double to left center.
Gossett came to the mound in the bottom of the fifth inning, and shut down the Huskers, not giving up a single run over three innings pitched, and securing the win for the Boilers.
UP NEXT
The Boilers will host Minnesota for a three-game series at Bittinger Stadium from Apr. 4-6. The series is the Big Ten home opener for Purdue in the 2025 season.
For updates on Purdue Softball, follow the Boilermakers on Twitter (@PurdueSoftball), Instagram (@purduesoftball), and Facebook (Purdue Softball).
Julia Gossett pitched three scoreless innings in relief, while Moriah Polar went 4-for-4.
BOILER BITS (at #20 Nebraska)
Offensive Highlights:
- Moriah Polar: 4-for-4, 2B
- Jordyn Ramos: 2-for-3, 3 RBI, 2B
- Delaney Reefe: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, 2B
- Julia Gossett: 2-for-3, RBI
- Maura Condon: 2-for-4
- Madi Elish: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 21 BF
- Julia Gossett (W, 5-6)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Boilers made some noise in the top of the first after Polar beat out an infield single, and Delaney Reefe and Gossett worked back-to-back walks. Purdue was unable to cash in a run and finished the inning with a pop up to center. Nebraska then took the lead in the bottom of the first, with a solo shot over the right field wall.
In the top of the third, the Boilers put a runner on third, after Khloe Banks reached on a catcher's interference, and a sac-bunt from Polar, and a ground out from Sage Scarmardo moved her over. The Huskers ended the damage earning a strikeout.
The Boilers continued to battle, loading the bases in the fourth inning, beginning with Jordyn Ramos taking her third hit by pitch of the weekend. Maura Condon earned herself an infield single before Kyndall Bailey's pinch hit at-bat got her on with another hit by pitch. With two outs, Banks fouled out to left field to end the threat.
The Huskers loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, But Elish worked out of the jam with a strikeout and a fly out to keep it a one-run ball game.
Purdue continued to be relentless as they plated three runs in the top of the fifth, taking the lead for the first time in the game. Polar led off the inning with a single up the middle, followed by a walk to Scarmardo. Reefe advanced the runners on a sac-bunt, allowing Gossett's single to bring Polar around to even the score. The momentum continued as Ramos drove in two runs on a single through the right side, giving Purdue the lead.
Purdue did not take its foot off the gas, adding on three more runs in the top of the sixth. Polar doubled to start the inning, before Scarmardo reached on an error. Both runners scored on a two-RBI double from Reefe. Gossett continued the inning with a single before Ramos added to her RBIs on the day with a double to left center.
Gossett came to the mound in the bottom of the fifth inning, and shut down the Huskers, not giving up a single run over three innings pitched, and securing the win for the Boilers.
UP NEXT
The Boilers will host Minnesota for a three-game series at Bittinger Stadium from Apr. 4-6. The series is the Big Ten home opener for Purdue in the 2025 season.
For updates on Purdue Softball, follow the Boilermakers on Twitter (@PurdueSoftball), Instagram (@purduesoftball), and Facebook (Purdue Softball).