WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – No. 12 Purdue (29-22, 10-13 Big Ten) triumphed over No. 5 Northwestern (29-18-1, 16-7 Big Ten) 4-2 in an upset win to move on to the quarterfinals. This is Purdue's first Big Ten Tournament win since 2019.
Julia Gossett was on fire both in the circle and in the batter's box, throwing out nine batters and hitting two home runs. Overall, the Boilers tallied eight hits, four of which were multi-base hits.
BOILER BITS v. Northwestern
Offensive Highlights:
Julia Gossett: 2-for-4, 2 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R
Alivia Meeks: 3-for-3, 1 2B, 1 BB
Khloe Banks: 2-for-4, 1 R, 2 H
Ashlynn Campbell: 2-for-3, 1 RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Julia Gossett (W 11-8): 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 10 K, 31 BF
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Boilermakers took the visiting side, starting at the plate and putting up a strong performance. Khloe Banks had a bunt single to put her on base, and Kyndall Bailey and Maura Condon followed her into the field with a Wildcat error and a hit by pitch, respectively. Julia Gossett had an RBI to put Purdue on the scoreboard early. The Boilers continued that momentum defensively with a strikeout by Gossett and two pop outs in the outfield.
Purdue loaded up the bases in the second inning with two more hits and a walk, but the runners were left on base. Northwestern had a home run in the bottom of the frame to even the score, but they were held from scoring again.
The Boilermakers continued their hitting streak into the third inning with a double from Sage Scarmardo and a single from Kylie Franks. Ashlynn Campbell had a RBI groundball to the second baseman, giving Purdue the lead once again. A Boilermaker error and a walk put two Northwestern runners on base in the bottom of the inning, but Gossett struck out two batters to work out of the jam.
Gossett came up to the plate in the fourth frame and plated another run for the Boilers with a homer. A bunt single put a Northwestern runner on first, and the second batter hit a triple that would've scored them a run, but a challenge by head coach Maggie Frezzotti called out the lead runner for leaving first base too early. The original batter had to come back to hit again, but Gossett struck her out and the next batter out to end the inning.
Alivia Meeks doubled out to right center, but was the only Boilermaker hit of the fifth inning. Northwestern was deliberate at the plate, registering one run on three hits. Scarmardo had two clutch plays in the field with a caught foul ball and a bunt with a swift glove flip to home to get out the lead runner and hold the score.
The Boilers went down in order at the top of the sixth, but returned the favor to the Wildcats. Gossett knocked her second home run of the game over left field, adding to Purdue's score. Two runners got on base, but a tenth strikeout from Gossett and a runner caught stealing at third helped the Boilers' cause. A final line drive catch from Campbell sealed the deal, giving Purdue the upset win 4-2.
UP NEXT:
Purdue will face off against No. 4 Ohio State for the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, May 8, at 7:00 p.m. ET at Bittinger Stadium. The game will be live on BTN.
For updates on Purdue Softball, follow the Boilermakers on Twitter (@PurdueSoftball), Instagram (@purduesoftball), and Facebook (Purdue Softball).
Julia Gossett was on fire both in the circle and in the batter's box, throwing out nine batters and hitting two home runs. Overall, the Boilers tallied eight hits, four of which were multi-base hits.
BOILER BITS v. Northwestern
Offensive Highlights:
Julia Gossett: 2-for-4, 2 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R
Alivia Meeks: 3-for-3, 1 2B, 1 BB
Khloe Banks: 2-for-4, 1 R, 2 H
Ashlynn Campbell: 2-for-3, 1 RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Julia Gossett (W 11-8): 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 10 K, 31 BF
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Boilermakers took the visiting side, starting at the plate and putting up a strong performance. Khloe Banks had a bunt single to put her on base, and Kyndall Bailey and Maura Condon followed her into the field with a Wildcat error and a hit by pitch, respectively. Julia Gossett had an RBI to put Purdue on the scoreboard early. The Boilers continued that momentum defensively with a strikeout by Gossett and two pop outs in the outfield.
Purdue loaded up the bases in the second inning with two more hits and a walk, but the runners were left on base. Northwestern had a home run in the bottom of the frame to even the score, but they were held from scoring again.
The Boilermakers continued their hitting streak into the third inning with a double from Sage Scarmardo and a single from Kylie Franks. Ashlynn Campbell had a RBI groundball to the second baseman, giving Purdue the lead once again. A Boilermaker error and a walk put two Northwestern runners on base in the bottom of the inning, but Gossett struck out two batters to work out of the jam.
Gossett came up to the plate in the fourth frame and plated another run for the Boilers with a homer. A bunt single put a Northwestern runner on first, and the second batter hit a triple that would've scored them a run, but a challenge by head coach Maggie Frezzotti called out the lead runner for leaving first base too early. The original batter had to come back to hit again, but Gossett struck her out and the next batter out to end the inning.
Alivia Meeks doubled out to right center, but was the only Boilermaker hit of the fifth inning. Northwestern was deliberate at the plate, registering one run on three hits. Scarmardo had two clutch plays in the field with a caught foul ball and a bunt with a swift glove flip to home to get out the lead runner and hold the score.
The Boilers went down in order at the top of the sixth, but returned the favor to the Wildcats. Gossett knocked her second home run of the game over left field, adding to Purdue's score. Two runners got on base, but a tenth strikeout from Gossett and a runner caught stealing at third helped the Boilers' cause. A final line drive catch from Campbell sealed the deal, giving Purdue the upset win 4-2.
UP NEXT:
Purdue will face off against No. 4 Ohio State for the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, May 8, at 7:00 p.m. ET at Bittinger Stadium. The game will be live on BTN.
For updates on Purdue Softball, follow the Boilermakers on Twitter (@PurdueSoftball), Instagram (@purduesoftball), and Facebook (Purdue Softball).