NIU softball (4-5) fell 8-1 to the Purdue University Boilermakers (15-6) on Saturday in West Lafayette, Indiana.

“Our pitchers gave us a chance, they forced Purdue to put the ball in play, and we just didn’t,” NIU head coach Kathryn Gleason said. “We had a chance to make plays and we didn’t.”

The Boilermakers struck first, scoring on a groundout to take a 1-0 lead. Later in the first inning, freshman middle-infielder Anna Moore hit a triple to extend their lead to two. 

Purdue broadened its lead to 3-0 in the second inning, taking advantage of an error in the infield to score one. Junior outfielder Moriah Polar hit a three-run home run in the same inning to give the Boilermakers a commanding 6-0 lead. 

The Huskies scored their only run of the game in the third inning after junior outfielder Katy Ramage singled to score graduate student middle-infielder/outfielder Jenna Turner.

Purdue pushed two more runs across the plate in the fifth inning to take an 8-1 lead, which was enough to seal the game for the Boilermakers. 

Senior pitcher/utility player Danielle Stewart made the start for NIU and earned the loss, pitching 1.2 innings and allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3 batters. 

Graduate student pitcher Madison Carlson relieved Stewart and pitched 4.1 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5 batters. 

“We just didn’t bring the energy, the desire to play,” Gleason said. “We talked about that, and you know we’re going to be better tomorrow against St. Bonaventure and again, against Purdue.” 

UP NEXT

The Huskies will face the St. Bonaventure University Bonnies at 9 a.m. Saturday in West Lafayette, Indiana. Live stats will be updated on StatBroadcast.