WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Coming down to the final inning, Purdue softball fell to Omaha, 3-4, in the season's home opener at Bittinger Stadium. The Boilermakers (11-12), led by senior Kiara Dillon's two runs on two hits, including a triple in the seventh inning, came just shy of forcing extras or earning the walk-off victory after Dillon was called out at home with no outs on the board in the bottom of the seventh.
With a tied game heading into the final inning, Omaha scored two runs after stealing home and a double. The Boilermakers responded with a lead-off double by Hailey Hayes. Kiersen George, who entered to pinch run for Hayes, scored on the next at-bat when Dillon tripled to left center field.
The triple by Dillon was her second of the season.
Defensively, the Boilermakers caught the Mavericks' stealing during the sixth inning with a throw from catcher Hailey Hayes to shortstop Tyrina Jones.
Additionally, the national leader in hit-by-pitch Sage Scarmardo earned her 14th walk of the season with the bases loaded in the third inning, which allowed Dillon the walk to home.
The Boilermakers were out-hit 6-11 in the matchup and committed one error.
Starting pitcher Madi Elish tossed the first 4.2 innings, registering three strikeouts and no walks allowed before being retired. Freshman Julia Gossett entered in relief, moving to 4-4 on the season as she closed out the game.
Purdue will be back at Bittinger Stadium tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET for Game 2 of the three game series. The clash will be streamed on B1G+.
With a tied game heading into the final inning, Omaha scored two runs after stealing home and a double. The Boilermakers responded with a lead-off double by Hailey Hayes. Kiersen George, who entered to pinch run for Hayes, scored on the next at-bat when Dillon tripled to left center field.
The triple by Dillon was her second of the season.
Defensively, the Boilermakers caught the Mavericks' stealing during the sixth inning with a throw from catcher Hailey Hayes to shortstop Tyrina Jones.
Additionally, the national leader in hit-by-pitch Sage Scarmardo earned her 14th walk of the season with the bases loaded in the third inning, which allowed Dillon the walk to home.
The Boilermakers were out-hit 6-11 in the matchup and committed one error.
Starting pitcher Madi Elish tossed the first 4.2 innings, registering three strikeouts and no walks allowed before being retired. Freshman Julia Gossett entered in relief, moving to 4-4 on the season as she closed out the game.
Purdue will be back at Bittinger Stadium tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET for Game 2 of the three game series. The clash will be streamed on B1G+.