May 18: South Dakota State vs. Purdue

PURDUE  4, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 1

AMES, IA – Determined not to bow out of the NISC just yet, won its second consecutive game on Saturday, moving past South Dakota State, 4-1, to earn a spot in the Regional Championship. 

Mallory Baker continued her hot day at the plate. The senior broke open the scoring with an RBI double in the third inning. Two batters later, Jenny Behan followed up Baker’s effort with an RBI of her own to give the Boilermakers an early 3-0 lead.

Sydney Bates returned to the circle after pitching earlier in the morning to give Purdue five full innings. The Florida native struck out seven and gave up just one hit before turning the keys over to Maddie Damon.

South Dakota State (37-19) threatened with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. Sydney Bates returned to action, forcing Lyndsey Crist to strike out swinging.

Baker returned to the plate in the sixth to give the Boilermakers some insurance, knocking in Halle Hixenbaugh to extend the lead, 4-0.

Mallory McQuistan managed an RBI single with the bases loaded in the final frame for the Jack Rabbits.
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Purdue (34-28) will face Iowa State for the Regional Championship at 2 p.m. CT.