HAMMOND, Ind. – Big games by senior Holly Pagan (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett), junior Shailen Johnson (West Lafayette, Ind./Danville Area CC/Harrison) and sophomore Emma Hendricks (Henryville, Ill./Henryville) helped the Purdue Northwest softball team split a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) doubleheader with Tiffin University (Ohio) Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Bank Field at Dowling Park in Hammond, Ind. The Pride fell in the first game, 2-1, but came back in a big way in game two winning 9-1 in five innings. Prior to the games, PNW invited the Herschelman family out to the field to throw out the first pitch. The oldest daughter, Grace, has a rare genetic disorder called INAD (infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy) and the Pride dedicated Saturday's games as "Hunt to Beat INAD."
Purdue Northwest managed just two hits in game one with four scoreless innings to kick off the opener. A RBI double to centerfield by the Dragons in the top of the fifth inning put the visitors up, 1-0. A RBI single down the right field line in the top of the sixth pushed the lead to 2-0. Pagan crushed a solo homer over the fence in left field in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit in half, 2-1. However, despite a walk to put a runner at first base, the Pride recorded three fly-outs in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.
Freshman Courtney Blackwell (Whiting, Ind./Whiting) suffered the loss (5-7) as the starting pitcher for Purdue Northwest in game one. She threw all seven innings and allowed eight hits, two runs (both earned) and four walks with four strikeouts. Pagan and junior Zoee Anderson (Lafayette, Ind./St. Joseph's College/Lafayette Jefferson) each had a hit in game one for PNW.
Game two was a completely different story as the Pride never trailed after taking a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Pagan opened the big frame with a RBI double to right field and junior Taylor Kotzo (Munster, Ind./Munster) added another run on a sacrifice fly. Later in the third, Hendricks hit a RBI double down the right field line and Johnson smashed a two-run homer to left field. Tiffin got its lone run off a wild pitch in the top of the fourth inning, but PNW scored four more runs in the fifth to end things early.
Freshman Samantha Burgard (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake South) earned the win (6-5) in the circle as the game two starter for the Pride. She pitched four innings and allowed three hits, one run (earned) and a walk. Junior Mia Stevens (Rensselaer, Ind/South Suburban CC/Kankakee Valley) also threw a perfect inning of relief.
Purdue Northwest (21-18 overall/11-11 GLIAC) hosts its final home doubleheader of the season against Wayne State University (Mich.) on Sunday, April 22. The first game of the pair is scheduled for a noon CT start at Fifth Third Bank Field. Following the doubleheader, the team will honor its 2018 senior class in recognition of Senior Day.
