WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Despite a five-run explosion in the third inning, the Purdue softball team could not even its weekend series against foe Indiana, falling 7-5 in the finale at Bittinger Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Boilermakers recorded their fifth double-digit hit game of the year, with four players tallying a pair of base knocks. Indiana finished with 12 hits on the afternoon.
Cora Bassett went 1-for-3 with a walk and a season-high three RBI. Rachel Becker drove in a run on a 2-for-4 performance at the plate, and Kaitlyn Brannstrom plated her ninth RBI of the year.
Indiana struck first with runs in the second and third innings to take a 2-0 lead.
The Boilermakers surged ahead in the third with five runs on hits. With two on and no outs, Becker laced a single through the left side to drive in Kiara Dillon and put Purdue on the board. Following a Kiley Goff single to load the bases, Bassett belted a bases-clearing triple to the corner in right to give the Boilermakers a 4-2 advantage.
Brannstrom tacked on a run before the inning was done, bringing in Bassett on an RBI groundout.
The Hoosiers battled back with two runs in the fourth, one in the fifth and two more in the sixth, eventually taking a 7-5 lead.
Indiana pitcher Amber Linton tossed two clean innings late to earn the win, while starter Emily Goodin surrendered five runs, three earned, over 4 1/3 innings of action.
Purdue used three arms on the afternoon. Starter Ashley Peters went 3 1/3 innings with six hits and four runs against with a pair of strikeouts. Sydney Bates came on in relief and allowed two runs, only one earned. Alex Echazarreta closed out the game and was saddled with the loss after two innings and one unearned run allowed.
Purdue (7-17, 7-17) – 5, Indiana (11-13, 11-13) - 7
Winning pitcher: Amber Linton (4-1)
Save: Emily Goodin (2)
Losing pitcher: Alex Echazarreta (0-3)
NOTES
• Purdue leads the all-time series 33-27.
• Bassett's three RBI too her season total to 21.
• Kasey Wilhoit went 2-for-4 with her first two doubles of the campaign.
• Catcher Kaeley Hallada threw out her fifth runner attempting to steal on the year.
• Purdue played its 11th game without an error.
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers will hit the road for a four-game set at Illinois next weekend.