IOWA CITY, Iowa – Purdue (34-19, 11-13 Big Ten) rallied from an early deficit to secure a 7-5 victory over Iowa on Sunday afternoon at Pearl Field, clinching the series.
The Boilermakers tallied 11 hits and scored in four separate innings, including a decisive three-run sixth to pull away. With the victory, the Boilers have officially knocked Iowa out of Big Ten tournament contention.
Anna Moore, with her 14th home run this season, tied Purdue’s single-season home run record, while Moriah Polar hit her 98th and 99th hits of the season, securing her firmly in third in the Big Ten record book for single-season hits.
BOILER BITS
Offensive Highlights
Anna Moore: 3-for-3, 2 RBI, HR
Haley Painter: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
Moriah Polar: 2-for-4, 2 R
Ashlynn Campbell: 1-for-2, R, RBI
Pitching Breakdown
Julia Gossett (W, 14-11): 7.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 K, 36 BF
Iowa jumped out early, plating one run in the first before adding two more in the second on a two-run home run. The Hawkeyes extended their lead to 5-2 with another two-run homer in the fourth.
Purdue began its comeback in the third inning, cutting into the deficit with an RBI single from Ashlynn Campbell and a homer from Moore. Moore continued her strong weekend at the plate, finishing with three hits and two RBI, including a solo home run in the fifth.
The Boilermakers tied the game in the fifth, as Moore’s home run and an RBI single from Delaney Reefe made it 5-4, setting the stage for a pivotal sixth inning.
After loading the bases in the sixth, Moore was hit by a pitch to bring in the tying run before Haley Painter delivered a two-RBI single through the left side to give Purdue its first lead of the game.
Julia Gossett went the distance in the circle, earning the win after allowing five runs on nine hits while striking out four across 7.0 innings.
Polar added a multi-hit performance, her 32nd this season, while also scoring twice. Painter finished with two hits and two RBI to lead the offensive effort.
Purdue will head to the Big Ten tournament this Wednesday with seeding and game times to be announced after the final conference games are finished.
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