WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermakers opened their stadium in fine fashion with a 9-0 mercy rule win over Wisconsin, featuring a grand slam from redshirt junior Katie Harrison and eight strikeouts in a complete-game one-hitter from junior Lilly Fecho.
Fecho moved to 14-5 with the shutout win, while issuing her third complete-game one hitter of the season (also vs. #24 Texas A&M and Indiana State). Taylor-Paige Stewart struck out seven in the loss for Wisconsin, allowing seven runs, only two earned, in three and two thirds innings. Reliever Annie Davis gave up two runs on hit in the final third of an inning.
The Boilermakers scored their nine runs on six hits and an error, while allowing the Badgers just one hit. Junior Paris Andrew went 2-for-2 to lead the Purdue bats.
After wasting a two-out walk in the second, Wisconsin tallied the game's first hit with a one-out single in the third. A fielder's choice erased that runner and freshman catcher Kaylah Hampton gunned another down trying to steal to end the inning.
Purdue got a pair of hits and had two runners in scoring position in the third, but could not cash in. Andrew reached on a single to third base and was sacrificed to second. Junior Lexi Valone lifted double just out of the reach of the right fielder, pushing Andrew to third after holding back to tag up. A pair of strikeouts left the game scoreless.
The Boilermakers broke the game open with nine runs on four hits and an error in the fourth. Senior Ashley Burkhardt drew a leadoff walk and went to third with a steal and a wild pitch. Hampton walked and stole second opening first base for junior pinch hitter CJ Parsons, who walked. Andrew plated two runs by sneaking a single up the left field line. Parsons' pinch runner Maya Hughes went to second on the hit. A fielding error by the second baseman put sophomore Kristen Hoppman on base and allowed Hughes to scoot home. A two-out single through the left side by senior Alyssa Koorsen made it 4-0 Boilers. Junior Mary Gooding kept the rally going with a single to left, bringing in Hoppman. Davis came in to pitch for Wisconsin with runners at second and third and intentionally walked Burkhardt. Harrison took advantage lifting a grand slam over the left field fence to make it 9-0 and cap the scoring.
Fecho issued her eighth K and forced a ground out. Hoppman supplied the final flare with a diving catch in right field to end the game.
The Boilermakers (20-9, 1-0 Big Ten) will face the Badgers at 1 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday to wrap up the conference opening series.