COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Just one strike away from Maryland taking Game One of the series, Hailey Hayes recorded a two-run home run for the Purdue softball team (24-22, 10-8 Big Ten) to come from behind and take the game, 2-1, at Maryland (19-28, 4-14 Big Ten).
Hayes' dinger came on a 1-2 count, scoring Sage Scarmardo, who reached first on a fielding error by the third baseman.
The pitcher's dual saw just three hits by Purdue and four by Maryland, with half of the Terrapins' coming in the first inning. In total, six runners were left stranded between the two teams, with each tallying three apiece.
Relief pitcher Emma Bailey received the win, the second of her career, as she improved to 2-4 this season. Meanwhile, Julia Gossett, who entered for Bailey and faced the final two batters, earned her third save. Bailey tossed one inning, allowing one hit, before Gossett came in and closed the game with a strikeout.
Maryland had its chance in the bottom of the seventh, placing the game-tying run on third base with two outs remaining, however a fly ball and a strikeout looking sealed the Boilermaker victory.
Starting pitcher Kendall Klochack tossed the first 5.1 innings, allowing three hits along the way. The junior registered three strikeouts, each of which came as the final out of the first, second and fifth inning.
Purdue left two runners stranded in scoring position in the third inning, after a double by McFadden and a single, then steal put Banks on second.
The Boilermakers are now 11-4 over their last 15 games and will look to clinch the series tomorrow in Game 2. The game will begin at 2 p.m. ET and be streamed on B1G+.
Hayes' dinger came on a 1-2 count, scoring Sage Scarmardo, who reached first on a fielding error by the third baseman.
The pitcher's dual saw just three hits by Purdue and four by Maryland, with half of the Terrapins' coming in the first inning. In total, six runners were left stranded between the two teams, with each tallying three apiece.
Relief pitcher Emma Bailey received the win, the second of her career, as she improved to 2-4 this season. Meanwhile, Julia Gossett, who entered for Bailey and faced the final two batters, earned her third save. Bailey tossed one inning, allowing one hit, before Gossett came in and closed the game with a strikeout.
Maryland had its chance in the bottom of the seventh, placing the game-tying run on third base with two outs remaining, however a fly ball and a strikeout looking sealed the Boilermaker victory.
Starting pitcher Kendall Klochack tossed the first 5.1 innings, allowing three hits along the way. The junior registered three strikeouts, each of which came as the final out of the first, second and fifth inning.
Purdue left two runners stranded in scoring position in the third inning, after a double by McFadden and a single, then steal put Banks on second.
The Boilermakers are now 11-4 over their last 15 games and will look to clinch the series tomorrow in Game 2. The game will begin at 2 p.m. ET and be streamed on B1G+.