WEST LAFAYATTE, Ind. – The Purdue softball team sealed its first Big Ten series of the season with a split Saturday against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Bittinger Stadium. The Boilermakers persevered for a 4-2 victory in the series finale after falling 2-1 in the first game of the day.
Iowa 2, Purdue 1
Neither team wasted time getting on the board as both Iowa (15-10, 1-2 BIG TEN) and Purdue (22-10, 2-1 BIG TEN) delivered runs in the opening frame. The Hawkeyes opened the scoring with an RBI single, while the Boilermakers responded in the bottom of the frame with a run on an Iowa fielding error.
In a second pitcher's duel between the teams, both Purdue and Iowa went scoreless until the final frame.
In the top of the seventh, Iowa strung together a pair of hits, including an RBI single to center field to break the silence and claim the win.
Purdue 4, Iowa 2
Relentless, the Boilermakers struck first with an RBI double by senior Jenny Behan and cushioned their lead with an RBI sac fly from freshman Kasey Wilhoit.
A pair of RBI singles extended Purdue's advantage to 4-2 in the bottom of the third. With one out, senior Mallory Baker launched a single up the middle while Behan drew a walk, bringing up Wilhoit, who sent a single to right field to plate pinch runner Becca Jones. Junior Lexi Huffman followed with an RBI single of her own to left field to bring home Behan.
The Hawkeyes answered back with runs in the fourth and sixth innings, respectively, cutting Purdue's lead in half.
Redshirt sophomore Sydney Bates stepped into Purdue's circle in the seventh to stall Iowa's threat at the plate and secure her second save of the season in Purdue's 4-2 victory.
Senior Kaitlynn Moody (7-4) got the start and the win, allowing just one earned run on three hits, while striking out three in 6.2 innings pitched.
Overall, Purdue outhit Iowa seven to three, led by two hits from sophomore Rachel Krzysko.
With the win, Purdue claims the Big Ten series against the Hawkeyes 2-1.
The Boilermakers now look to their second midweek matchup of the season with a doubleheader against Indiana State on March 27 at Bittinger Stadium. The first game is set for at 3 p.m. ET start.
Iowa 2, Purdue 1
Neither team wasted time getting on the board as both Iowa (15-10, 1-2 BIG TEN) and Purdue (22-10, 2-1 BIG TEN) delivered runs in the opening frame. The Hawkeyes opened the scoring with an RBI single, while the Boilermakers responded in the bottom of the frame with a run on an Iowa fielding error.
In a second pitcher's duel between the teams, both Purdue and Iowa went scoreless until the final frame.
In the top of the seventh, Iowa strung together a pair of hits, including an RBI single to center field to break the silence and claim the win.
Purdue 4, Iowa 2
Relentless, the Boilermakers struck first with an RBI double by senior Jenny Behan and cushioned their lead with an RBI sac fly from freshman Kasey Wilhoit.
A pair of RBI singles extended Purdue's advantage to 4-2 in the bottom of the third. With one out, senior Mallory Baker launched a single up the middle while Behan drew a walk, bringing up Wilhoit, who sent a single to right field to plate pinch runner Becca Jones. Junior Lexi Huffman followed with an RBI single of her own to left field to bring home Behan.
The Hawkeyes answered back with runs in the fourth and sixth innings, respectively, cutting Purdue's lead in half.
Redshirt sophomore Sydney Bates stepped into Purdue's circle in the seventh to stall Iowa's threat at the plate and secure her second save of the season in Purdue's 4-2 victory.
Senior Kaitlynn Moody (7-4) got the start and the win, allowing just one earned run on three hits, while striking out three in 6.2 innings pitched.
Overall, Purdue outhit Iowa seven to three, led by two hits from sophomore Rachel Krzysko.
With the win, Purdue claims the Big Ten series against the Hawkeyes 2-1.
The Boilermakers now look to their second midweek matchup of the season with a doubleheader against Indiana State on March 27 at Bittinger Stadium. The first game is set for at 3 p.m. ET start.