WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - One inning was the difference as Iowa (8-21, 2-4 B1G) used a big third inning to fuel its 8-3 victory over Purdue (15-23, 4-2 B1G) on Sunday in Bittinger Stadium. The loss hands Iowa the series 2-1 and marks the end of a seven-game homestand in which the Boilermakers finished 5-2.
Of the eight runs scored by the Hawkeyes, just two were earned as Iowa managed to take advantage of a pair of errors in the third inning to score seven runs. Maddie Damon and Kaitlynn Moody gave up just five hits, two walks and two earned runs between them. Overall, Damon pitched well, registering four innings in which she retired the side in order. Moody came in to throw 2.2 innings of work, giving her 13.2 innings pitched and three earned runs in the series.
Maya Hughes continues to swing a hot bat while creating havoc on the base paths with a two-for-four day at the plate, a run scored and two stolen bases. Kristen Hoppman and Mallory Baker drove in all three of Purdue's runs as Hoppman launched her first home run of the season and drove in a run in the seventh while Baker finished one-for-two with an RBI and a walk. Alexa Binckes and Brooke Perry also registered a hit each for the Boilermakers.
The lone hit for Baker extends her hitting streak to 12 games and the multi-hit day for Hughes is her 17th multi-hit performance of the season. Over the course of Baker's hitting streak, the sophomore has raised her batting average from .306 to .383 thanks to a .543 batting average with 19 hits, nine runs scored, eight RBI, six doubles, two stolen bases, six walks, a .610 on-base percentage and not one strikeout.
The Boilermakers now shift their focus to a three-game series at Illinois, with the first game slated for 6 p.m. ET on April 7.
- Tickets