WEST LAFAYETTE ― The Purdue softball team that walked off the field at Bittinger Stadium Friday night with its heads held high was not the same program Kyndall Bailey remembers when she arrived.
Bailey, a four-year starter, wanted to help turn around the Boilermakers.
For the first time, in her final collegiate season, Bailey is part of a winning culture.
“When you come into a program, you hope to leave it better than you found it,” Bailey said. “While we’re still hoping to be able to keep playing, I can certainly say myself and my class has certainly done that. “
The Boilermakers’ Cinderella run through the Big Ten Tournament ended with a 4-2 semifinal loss to Michigan, a game where the Wolverines struck with one big inning highlighted by a three-run homer.
Purdue responded with two runs off the bat of Julia Gossett, who tied the Big Ten Tournament record with her fourth in the past three days. Purdue threatened twice more, putting two runners in scoring position with one out in the fifth and loading the bases with one out in the sixth.
Stellar defense again was a calling card for Purdue, which got web gems from Sage Scarmardo and Khloe Banks during a three-day run full of highlights.
But the Boiler magic ran out after upset wins over Northwestern and Ohio State that may have persuaded some decision makers putting together brackets for the NCAA Regionals.
“I feel like probably the rest of the country is seeing the work we put in,” Gossett said. “We have so much belief in every person on this team and it’s cool to see that come to fruition.
“No matter the outcome, this is the standard for Purdue softball from here on out. We’re not going to be done until June.”
Purdue is 30-23, assuring its first winning season since 2020 when the remainder of the season was canceled after 25 games, and was maybe one timely hit away from playing for the Big Ten Tournament championship.
If this was how the season concluded, second-year head coach Maggie Frezzotti can live with that knowing it might just be the catapult to the program she’s quickly put her stamp on.
“We found that validation and that rewarding feeling for three straight games, even today, not getting the win, but very proud of what we did,” Frezzotti said.
An NCAA Regional appearance may be a long shot, perhaps even a hope at this point. Prior to Friday night, the Boilermakers were 45th in ratings percentage index (RPI), which factors strength of schedule and overall record among other data.
But it’s hard to argue the Purdue team that showed up the last three days isn’t deserving.
“Just give us another chance and we’re going to get it done,” Gossett said.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: After Purdue softball’s Cinderella Big Ten run ends, Boilers say, ‘give us another chance’
Reporting by Sam King, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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