EVANSTON, Ill. – Freshman Kendall Chase accumulated two of Purdue's three hits on the evening, both leaving Sharon J. Drysdale Field for solo home runs, but they were not enough to keep the Boilermakers from dropping their series finale against Northwestern 6-3.
With the loss, Purdue falls to 30-20 overall and 6-11 in Big Ten play as Northwestern improves to 36-7 overall and stays undefeated (15-0) in conference play.
After a pitchers' duel between redshirt sophomore Sydney Bates and Northwestern's Danielle Williams kept the game scoreless through the first two innings, Chase broke the silence with a solo home run to left field, giving the Boilermakers their first lead of the series.
Purdue added to its edge in the top of the fourth, when senior Jenny Behan drew a one-out walk and was driven home on a stand-up double by junior Madison Douglass.
With Purdue leading 2-0, Northwestern stormed back with four runs on a pair of RBI singles and a pair of Boilermaker miscues in the bottom of the fourth.
Purdue fought back, however, as Kendall Chase led off the fifth with her second solo home run of the game and her third of the series off of Big Ten leading Williams. Overall, Chase now has four home runs on the year.
The Wildcats responded with a two-RBI double in the bottom of the frame to claim a 6-3 lead, before retiring the Boilermakers in order in the last two innings for the win.
Bates (11-7) took the loss after allowing four runs on three hits, while striking out three in 3.2 innings of work. Senior Maddie Damon pitched the remainder of the game, relinquishing two runs on two hits.
Up next, the Boilermakers return to the friendly confines of Bittinger Stadium with a Big Ten series against Wisconsin. The three-game series is set to start Friday at 6 p.m.
With the loss, Purdue falls to 30-20 overall and 6-11 in Big Ten play as Northwestern improves to 36-7 overall and stays undefeated (15-0) in conference play.
After a pitchers' duel between redshirt sophomore Sydney Bates and Northwestern's Danielle Williams kept the game scoreless through the first two innings, Chase broke the silence with a solo home run to left field, giving the Boilermakers their first lead of the series.
Purdue added to its edge in the top of the fourth, when senior Jenny Behan drew a one-out walk and was driven home on a stand-up double by junior Madison Douglass.
With Purdue leading 2-0, Northwestern stormed back with four runs on a pair of RBI singles and a pair of Boilermaker miscues in the bottom of the fourth.
Purdue fought back, however, as Kendall Chase led off the fifth with her second solo home run of the game and her third of the series off of Big Ten leading Williams. Overall, Chase now has four home runs on the year.
The Wildcats responded with a two-RBI double in the bottom of the frame to claim a 6-3 lead, before retiring the Boilermakers in order in the last two innings for the win.
Bates (11-7) took the loss after allowing four runs on three hits, while striking out three in 3.2 innings of work. Senior Maddie Damon pitched the remainder of the game, relinquishing two runs on two hits.
Up next, the Boilermakers return to the friendly confines of Bittinger Stadium with a Big Ten series against Wisconsin. The three-game series is set to start Friday at 6 p.m.