Softball: Fifth-seeded Northwestern drops tough loss versus Purdue in Big Ten Tournament, 4-2

An upset loss for the ‘Cats puts their postseason hopes in jeopardy.

With their season potentially on the line, the Wildcats simply couldn’t deliver.

No. 5 Northwestern (29-18-1) faced off against No. 12 Purdue (29-22) in its first game of the Big Ten Tournament, but fell in a tough defeat to the Boilermakers, 4-2. Following its first postseason action of the season, NU now awaits potential selection to the Women’s College World Series.

Coming off an electric series win over eighth-ranked UCLA, the Wildcats were riding high as they headed into a Big Ten Tournament matchup against cross-state foes Purdue. The ‘Cats had won eight of their last ten, propelling themselves back into conversation for a postseason bid. But a couple more wins for insurance were still the focus ahead, allowing NU to be more comfortable in their hopes for a College World Series appearance.

Redshirt first-year Signe Dohse got the nod as starter for the ‘Cats after a solid season on the mound. But a rough sequence of a single, error and hit-by-pitch put her in a tough situation early, with the bases loaded and no outs.

With the fourth batter to the plate, Dohse was finally able to get an out, as Julia Gossett grounded out to shortstop, but still scored a run. But after letting up her first run, Dohse was able to tighten up, striking out one before flying out Kylie Franks to end the inning.

Into the bottom of the first, Northwestern was unable to respond in a quick 1-2-3 inning. However, Dohse was locked in after a tough first inning; despite loading the runners up again, she struck out a batter to end the inning, the score still 1-0.

With another shot at evening the score and the strongest part of the lineup up to bat, the ‘Cats cashed in. After Kansas Robinson struck out, Izzy Cunnea roped a home run just over the left field wall in the bottom of the second. The big-time shot from the sophomore was just another moment where she showed off her clutch gene.

With momentum on their side, the ‘Cats looked to capitalize. But Purdue wouldn’t go away that quickly, either. After a highlight-reel catch from Robinson to start the top of the third, things went awry.

Yet another bases loaded opportunity for the Boilers forced a call to the bullpen, as Renae Cunningham came in to relieve Dohse in a tough situation. Her first batter up, she was able to force a groundout, although a runner still scored. But Cunningham still did her job, striking out leadoff hitter Khloe Banks to end the inning with minimal damage.

With Purdue back up, though, Northwestern would need to find a way to get back even. But another solo homerun from Gossett in the top of the fourth gave the Boilermakers an insurance run and a 3-1 lead, putting NU in serious jeopardy of losing.

An uneventual couple of half-innings left the ‘Cats in the same situation by the bottom of the fifth. But a rally in the bottom of the inning gave the home side hope yet: back-to-back singles from Ayana Lindsey and Grace Nieto gave way to a huge chance for Kayley Avvisato. And she did not miss out. The star shortstop singled through the left side of the infield, scoring Lindsey and advancing Nieto to third and giving NU life yet again.

Unfortunately for NU, the scoring ended there, with a Nader foulout and Cunnea flyout ending the comeback rally. A scoreless sixth inning would still keep things in striking distance, with Lauren Boyd coming in for relief and finding success.

But Purdue came through offensively once again, as Gossett would hammer her second home run of the day in the top of the seventh to put Purdue back up two runs. And NU, with its backs against the wall, was unable to come through.

After Lindsey walked to open the bottom of the last, Nieto singled to get two runners on. But disaster struck when Avvisato, the hero earlier in the game, struck out and Lindsey got doubled up while trying to steal. And down to their last out, Robinson smacked one right into the glove of the shortstop to abruptly end the game.

Northwestern possibly ends its season on a sour note, losing in an upset to a familiar foe. It now awaits a decision from the NCAA on whether it will get a bid to the Women’s College World Series.