Purdue Rallies for 9-6 Victory

GAME CAPSULE
Purdue staged a seven-run sixth-inning rally to come from behind and defeat Michigan State, 9-6 on Saturday. The Spartans are now 8-16, while Purdue is 10-21.

Much like MSU staged a late rally in game two yesterday, the visitors did the same today and were able to pull ahead. MSU scored three in the first and took a 6-1 lead into the fifth inning, but Purdue scored once in the fifth and seven in the sixth to pull ahead 9-6.

Alli Walker both started and finished the game in the circle, combining for 3.2 innings pitched, scattering four hits and striking out six. Ashley Miller takes the loss for MSU, who surrendered four runs in her sixth-inning stint. For Purdue, Savanah Henley came on in relief in the second inning and threw six complete, surrendering two runs and five hits.

Purdue had four players with two base hits each. Alexis Barroso had a career-best three hits on the day, and Caitie Ladd had her third straight multiple-hit game with a 2-for-4 effort at the plate with an RBI.

Prior to the game, MSU honored Laney Joyner and Alli Walker with their Senior Day. The roommates and teammates have been outstanding representatives of the softball program both in the classroom and on campus in addition to adding to the strong culture within the Spartan softball program.

Michigan State concludes the series with the Boilermakers on Sunday. First pitch at Secchia Stadium is 1 pm.

PLAYER HIGHS

Alexis Barroso was 3-for-3 with an RBI, a season high in hits for the freshman.
Caitie Ladd was 2-for-4 with a double.
Zaquai Dumas and Jenae Wash each tripled in a three-run first inning. Both finished 1-for-3.

STATS AND STORYLINES

After Alli Walker sent down the side on three strikeouts in the top of the first, MSU carried over its offensive mojo from Friday. Alexis Barroso laced a two-out single into left, and she came around to score on a triple by Jenae Wash. After a walk to Courtney Callahan, Zaquai Dumas came up with a second triple in the inning for MSU, giving MSU a 3-0 lead.
Laney Joyner led off the bottom of the second with a double, moved to third on a sac bunt by Kendall Kates, and then came home on an RBI single by Caitie Ladd.
In the top of the third, leadoff Kasey Wilhoit reached on an error, and Cora Bassett followed with a double to right to put a pair of runners in scoring position. Sarah Ladd, who came on prior to the double, surrendered a single to Rachel Becker to plate Wilhoit for the first run of the game for the visitors. Ladd got the next three batters – two on strikeouts – to strand two runners and end the threat.
MSU added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth, starting with a one-out double by Caitie Ladd, who moved to third on a ground ball out and scored on an RBI single by Barroso . Pinch runner Katie Quinlan stole second and after Wash was walked on four pitches, Callahan stroked a single up the middle to score Quinlan for the 6-1 lead.
Purdue hung a crooked number in the top of the sixth with three straight base hits to start the inning - a double, single, and three-run homer by Alex Echazarreta – to pull within one at 6-5. MSU went to the bullpen for Ashley Miller, who gave up a double to Wilhoit to start off her outing Wilhoit scored on a sac fly by Becker to tie things up at 6-6 – and hits kept coming for the Boilers, who got an RBI single by Scott followed by a double by Kaitlyn Brannstrom, and after MSU brought Alli Walker back into the circle, she allowed a double to Kaeley Hallada before picking up the second out on a fly ball to right. Walker got the Spartans out of the inning on a fielders choice, but not before the Boilers had put seven on the scoreboard to pull ahead 9-6.
Alli Walker started the game and struck out four in two innings, and Sarah Ladd gave up four runs in 3.0 innings, also striking out four. Ashley Miller came in with no outs in the top of the sixth and lasted just 1/3 of an inning before Walker returned to the circle.

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Team Stats

Caitie Ladd

Alexis Barroso

Jenae Wash

Courtney Callahan

Players Mentioned

Alexis Barroso

Courtney Callahan

Zaquai Dumas

Laney Joyner

Kendall Kates

Caitie Ladd

Sarah Ladd

Ashley Miller

Katie Quinlan

Alli Walker

Jenae Wash

Players Mentioned

Alexis Barroso

Courtney Callahan

Zaquai Dumas

Laney Joyner

Kendall Kates

Caitie Ladd

Sarah Ladd

Ashley Miller

Katie Quinlan

Alli Walker

Jenae Wash