WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue softball team (36-10, 6-14 Big Ten) managed one run on four hits in its series finale against Wisconsin (36-10, 13-7 Big Ten), but it was not enough as the Boilermakers fell to the Badgers 4-1 on Sunday.
A pitcher's duel between senior Maddie Damon and Wisconsin's Kaitlyn Menz kept the game scoreless through the first three innings, before a solo home run from Lauren Foster in the fourth and a Purdue miscue in the fifth gave the Badgers a 2-0 lead.
The Boilermakers battled back with a run on two hits in the bottom of the sixth, cutting the Badger lead in half. Seniors Mallory Baker and Jenny Behan, opened the frame with back-to-back singles, while freshman Kasey Wilhoit collected the RBI on a fielder's choice.
However, a two-run dinger from Wisconsin's Taylor's Johnson gave the Badgers the 4-1 edge in the top of the seventh.
The Boilermakers tallied four hits to Wisconsin's six and were paced at the plate by a two-hit day from Baker, as the senior guided Purdue with a double and a single.
Damon (1-4) registered a game-best six strikeouts in 6.2 innings of action.
Up next, Purdue closes out the regular season with a road series at Illinois front May 3 to 5.