IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Boilermakers edged Iowa 8-7 in a game that featured 25 combined hits as the teams weathered cold temperatures and 30 mile per hour winds.
Senior Paris Andrew, sophomore Kaylah Hampton and freshman Mallory Baker each tallied three hits to lead the Purdue bats, while senior Katie Harrison added two hits. Eight Boilermakers posted hits in the game as Purdue racked up its eight runs on 15 hits and two errors against three different Hawkeye pitchers. Iowa managed its seven runs on 10 hits and an error.
Senior Lilly Fecho (15-6) recorded nine strikeouts in the win, while sophomore Gina Snyder added two in a saving effort. Starter Shayla Starkenburg was saddled with the loss for Iowa after allowing five runs in four innings of work. Ashley Yoways and Erin Riding also saw action for the Hawkeyes.
Purdue put up two runs on a trio of hits in the opening stanza. Senior Katie Harrison drew a two-out walk to start things off. A single by freshman Lauren Stewart pushed her to second. Pinch runner Morgan Cavinder then scored on a single up the middle by Baker. Stewart scored from third the following play as Andrew sent a single through the right side.
Hampton tallied her first hit of the day with a single to right field to start the second inning. A passed ball and ground out moved her to third, but a liner to the shortstop kept Purdue from adding to its lead.
The Boilermakers tacked on another run care of a Baker RBI single in the third. Harrison led off with a double and came home as Baker followed with a single up the middle. Andrew continued the hit parade with a single of her own. A wild pitch gave Purdue two runners in scoring position, but an infield grounder kept the score at 3-0.
Iowa struck back with three runs on three hits in the bottom of the inning. A pair of singles put two on for the Hawkeyes, setting up a three-run home run for Sammi Gyerman.
Purdue got one run back in the fourth making good on a singled and steal by junior Kristen Hoppman combined with a Hawkeye error and ground out. Hoppman reached on a bunt single, swiped second and went to third as the catcher's throw sailed into the outfield. A ground ball on the infield by senior Mary Gooding brought her home. Harrison also added a single in the inning.
Iowa knotted it up at 4-all with a double and single in the bottom half of the stanza. A two-out double and a single up the middle tied the game.
The Boilermakers vaulted ahead 7-4 with a three-run fifth inning. A single by Baker got things started prompting a Hawkeye pitching change. Andrew then reached on an error trying to sacrifice pinch runner Sydney Pencek over. Pencek ended up at third after the play. Andrew then filled her spot at second with a steal. A missed fielder's choice play at the plate put the Boilermakers on top. Hampton doubled to put runners at second and third for pinch hitter CJ Parsons, who capitalized on the opportunity with a two RBI single to center field.
The Hawkeyes narrowed the gap to one with a two-run home run by Holly Hoffman. The long ball followed a Boilermaker miscue and a steal. A strikeout ended the inning.
Iowa threatened with a hit by pitch and single in the sixth, but Fecho issued two K's to get out of the inning unscathed.
The Boilermakers snagged one more insurance run combining a pair of singles and a sacrifice in the seventh. Andrew singled and freshman Lexi Huffman bumped her to second with the sacrifice. Hampton added the RBI with a single down the left field line. Freshman Emily Kenny also managed a double in the inning.
The Hawkeyes tried to mount a comeback in the final inning, getting a one-out solo home run by Gyerman, but left runners stranded at the corners to end the game. Snyder took over in the circle after a triple off the right center wall and promptly issued a strikeout. After a hit batsman, Snyder punched out the final batter swinging to clinch the save and the Boilermaker victory.
Purdue (20-14, 2-3 Big Ten) return to action at 2 p.m. ET Sunday in the series finale against the Hawkeyes.