EVANSTON, Ill. - Freshman Kendall Chase delivered Purdue's 32nd home run of the season, but it wasn't enough to keep No. 23 Northwestern from collecting an 11-1 five-inning victory at Sharon J. Drysdale Field on Friday.
The conference leading Wildcats struck first with a five-run first inning, highlighted by a grand slam by Jordyn Rudd.
Northwestern then pushed its lead to 11-0 with four runs in the third and two runs in the fourth, before the Boilermakers broke up the shutout with Chase's solo home run in the top of the fifth. The long ball was Chase's second of the year and Purdue's 32nd overall on the season.
Senior Kaitlynn Moody (11-8) took the loss after allowing three runs with three walks in less than an inning pitched. Purdue also saw action from redshirt sophomore Sydney Bates and freshmen Alex Echazarreta and Brenna Smith.
The Boilermakers totaled four hits with Chase notching two hits on Northwestern's ace Danielle Williams, who posted 12 strikeouts on the day.
Both teams return to Sharon J. Drysdale Field tomorrow for the second game of the series. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. ET.