Purdue Tops Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament, 14-6

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Fourth-seeded Ohio State had its stay at the Big Ten Tournament cut short by 12th-seeded Purdue, as the Boilermakers registered a 14-6 quarterfinal on Thursday night at Bittinger Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. The Buckeyes are now 43-12-1 on the season and will hear where it’s headed for NCAA Tournament regional play on Sunday evening at 7 p.m.

Purdue sprung its second upset in as many days at the tournament thanks to a three-run rally in the fifth inning and then put the game out of reach with seven runs in the top of the seventh. The Buckeyes, who led 4-0 in the first inning, got home runs from Reagan Milliken, Taylor Cruse and Jasmyn Burns.

How It Happened

• As it’s done much of the season, Ohio State got out to an early lead. An RBI double off the bat of Kaitlyn Farley scored Hadley Parisien to give Ohio State an early 1-0 lead. One batter later, Milliken emptied the bases with her 18th home run of the year, a three run shot to right center that made the score 4-0.
• Purdue would even the score in the top of the fourth inning via an RBI single, a throwing error, and a two-run ground rule double from Kyndall Bailey.
• The Boilermakers then took a 7-4 lead in the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run from Julia Gossett, a run scored on an RBI ground out and a throwing error. 
• In the seventh inning, Purdue added to their lead via a throwing error, a bases clearing triple, an RBI single, a fielder’s choice and an RBI double to take it largest lead of the night at 14-4.
• In the home half of the seventh inning, Cruse added her 15th home run of the year and two batters later Jasmyn Burns launched her team-leading 23rd, bringing the score to its final margin of 14-6.
• Lorin Boutté (19-9) got the start and pitched four innings before giving way to Kennedy Kay. Layna Gerhard and Kassandra Gewecke also saw action in the circle.

What’s Next

The NCAA Tournament selection show will air live on ESPN2 beginning at 7 p.m. on Sunday. NCAA Regional play will then come next, beginning May 16-18 at campus sites of the sixteen highest-seeded teams.