COLUMBUS, Ohio ââ'¬" Four unearned runs in the seventh inning turned a 4-1 Boilermaker lead into a 5-4 win for Ohio State on Sunday.
The Buckeyes scored their five runs on nine hits and three Purdue errors, while the Boilermakers managed four runs on five hits. Freshman Lauren Stewart led the Purdue bats with a 2-for-3 effort and three RBI.
In the circle, reliever Morgan Ray (2-2) picked up the win for OSU, striking out one in an inning and a third of work. Starter Shelby Hursh issued six Ks and allowed four runs before exiting in the sixth. Senior Lilly Fecho (17-10) struck out two and allowed just one earned run in the loss.
Junior Kristen Hoppman reached on a bunt single to start the game, but was later caught stealing.
OSU got a leadoff single in the first as well, but a Boilermaker double play erased that threat.
The Buckeyes put two on base in the third with a single and a hit by pitch, but a fly ball wrapped that stanza.
The Boilermakers made good on a pair of walks and a wild pitch in the fourth, plating two runs on an RBI double to the left center gap by Stewart. Stewart drove in senior Mary Gooding, who reached on a one-out walk, and pinch runner Morgan Cavinder, who was on after a two-out free pass to senior Katie Harrison. The pair had moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, setting up the Stewart double.
OSU got a leadoff triple in the fourth, but the Boilermaker defense handled three straight infield grounders to leave the runner stranded.
Freshman Lexi Huffman added a two-out single in the fifth, but a fielder's choice play ended the inning.
Ohio State snapped the Boilermaker shutout bid with a run on two hits in the fifth. A leadoff double and a sacrifice bunt set up an RBI single to put the Buckeyes on the board.
Purdue got the run back and more with a pair of extra-base hits in the sixth. Freshman Emily Kenny lifted a two-out home run over the left field wall. After Harrison drew a four-pitch walk, pinch runner Katie Johnson circled the bases on a triple to center by Stewart to put the Boilermakers up 4-1.
The Buckeyes took advantage of a pair of Boilermaker miscues, combining them with a pair of singles and a double to rally for a 5-4 win. A single up the middle brought in the first run. A double down the left field line plated the next. An intentional walk filled the bases, setting the table for a two-RBI single to right field by Maddie McIntyre, which stole away the win.
Purdue (26-22, 7-10 Big Ten) return to action at 6 p.m. Wednesday against Indiana State at the Boilermaker Softball Stadium.