EAST LANSING, Mich. – Rallying from five-runs down, the Purdue softball team pulled within one game of winning its weekend series with a 9-6 decision. The Boilermakers drove in eight runs over the final three innings and notched a season-high seven extra-base hits.
Alex Echazarreta belted her second home run of the campaign as a part of a 2-for-4, three-RBI day. Rachel Becker drove in a pair of runs and went 3-for-4 at the plate. Ryleigh Scott, Kaitlyn Brannstrom and Kiley Goff also picked up a pair of hits, as Purdue matched its season high with 15 hits.
Michigan State took an early lead with four runs over the first and second innings, before the Boilermakers responded.
After Kasey Wilhoit reached on an error then moved to third on a Cora Bassett double, Becker drove in Purdue's first run of the game on an RBI single through the left side of the infield. The Spartans bounced back to open a 6-1 lead with a pair of scores in the bottom of the fourth.
Purdue pulled a run back in the top of the fifth when Kaitlyn Brannstrom singled down the right field line to plate Becker in from second.
An inning later, the Boilermakers seized control of the game for good. Purdue's offense turned seven hits into seven runs with five extra-base hits in the frame. With Goff and Becca Jones on the corners and no outs, Echazarreta blasted a 3-2 delivery well over the wall in left field to cut the gap down to one run.
Two batters later, again with runners on the corners, Becker sent an easily catchable ball down deep in foul territory in left field for an out, allowing Wilhoit to tag up from third with some heads-up running.
Scott then gave Purdue the lead on an RBI single to center, followed by insurance RBI on back-to-back doubles from Brannstrom and Kaeley Hallada. Purdue's 9-6. The three-run lead was more than enough for reliever and winning pitcher Savanah Henley.
The southpaw threw six innings out of the bullpen, striking out seven and scattering five hits. As Purdue made its rally, Henley faced the minimum for the final three frames, needing only 29 pitches to finish out the game.
Purdue (10-21) – 9, Michigan State (8-16) - 6
Winning pitcher: Savanah Henley (3-5)
Losing pitcher: Ashley Miller (4-4)
UP NEXT
Purdue will look to win the four-game series tomorrow with a 1 p.m. first pitch.