Michigan State University
22-24, 2-13
Purdue
19-25, 2-10
Softball Blanks Purdue in Series Opener
4/22/2022 8:45:00 PM | Softball
A win improves Michigan State's record 22-24 overall and moves the team into the No. 12-seed for the Big Ten tournament.
Sophomore Ashley Miller allowed just three hits and struck out six over six shutout innings in the circle. With six strikeouts on Friday, Miller moved into sole possession of third all-time for single season strikeouts at MSU. Miller passes Kelly Smith, who struck out 222 batters during the 2013 season. Over the remaining games this season, Miller needs 41 more strikeouts to set the Michigan State record.
Junior Sarah Ladd came on to pitch the seventh inning, recording a strikeout.
At the plate, MSU received multi-hit performances from seniors Courtney Callahan, Kendall Kates and Abby Joseph. Kates, Joseph, and junior Camryn Wincher each drove in a pair of batters. In total, nine different Spartans reached base on Friday.
Michigan State scored its first run of the afternoon in the third inning after seniors Jessica Mabrey and Courtney Callahan recorded back-to-back hits to open the frame. Mabrey doubled to right field before Callahan laid down a picture-perfect bunt to single. Wincher drove in her first runner of the game on a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Mabrey from third.
T5 | MSU 2 - PUR 0
— MSU Softball (@MSU_Softball) April 22, 2022
Camryn Wincher drives in her second run of the game on a single back up the middle. Callahan comes home from third for the Spartans.#GoGreen | #B1GSoftball pic.twitter.com/lwfFFPEKyF
A four-run fifth inning increased Michigan State's advantage. A lead-off double from Callahan set up a single up the middle from Wincher, who drove in her second runner of the game. After a Dumas walk, senior Kendall Kates tripled to center field to clear the bases. Senior Mackenzie Meech continued the onslaught with an RBI single to score Kates.
T5 | MSU 4 - PUR 0
— MSU Softball (@MSU_Softball) April 22, 2022
Kendall Kates sends a rocket to center field and drives home a pair of baserunners on a two-RBI triple!#GoGreen | #B1GSoftball pic.twitter.com/jH6vFIxZbf
Purdue had its best chance to score in the bottom of the sixth when it got base hits from Rachel Becker and Jade Moy to open the inning. A chopper to Wincher at first and a strikeout looking ended the Boilermaker threat.
The Spartans added three runs in the top of the seventh as a fielder's choice scored junior Brooke Snyder and a one-out single off the bat of senior Abby Joseph cleared the bases to score a pair.
T7 | MSU 8 - PUR 0
— MSU Softball (@MSU_Softball) April 22, 2022
Abby Joseph clears the bases as the Spartans take a late 8-0 lead!#GoGreen | #B1GSoftball pic.twitter.com/e6hGK4FLi0
UP NEXT: Michigan State will return to Bittinger Stadium on Saturday for game two of the three-game series against Purdue. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Miller, Ashley (12-14)
L: Brenna Smith (2-9)
Batting:
2B: Mabrey, Jessica 1 ; Callahan, Courtney 1
3B: Kates, Kendall 1
RBI: Wincher, Camryn 2 ; Kates, Kendall 2 ; Joseph, Abby 2 ; Meech, Mackenzie 1
SH: Barroso, Alexis 1
SF: Wincher, Camryn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mabrey, Jessica 1 ; Callahan, Courtney 1 ; Wincher, Camryn 1 ; Snyder, Brooke 1 ; Dumas, Zaquai 2 ; Kates, Kendall 2
SB: Callahan, Courtney 1 ; Kates, Kendall 1
