MADISON, Wis. -- After suffering an early deficit in the first inning, the Wisconsin Softball team battled back to push past Purdue, 9-5, in a doubleheader at Goodman Diamond on Saturday. Despite a seventh-inning rally, the Badgers dropped the second game to the Boilermakers in a close 5-4 contest.

In the first game, Purdue second baseman Kristen Hoppman set the pace for the Boilermakers (22-17, 4-6 Big Ten) with a leadoff single and was quickly followed with a single from Mary Gooding, as Purdue notched the first run of the game.

Wisconsin third baseman Kelsey Jenkins made a clutch frame-ending double play, as the sophomore caught a line drive from Purdue's Lauren Stewart and then dove back to third to tag the runner out on the base, leaving Purdue ahead 1-0 heading into the bottom of the first.

Jenkins led off the Badgers' (19-15-1, 4-3-1 Big Ten) offensive effort with a pop fly that was caught for a quick first out, however teammate Ashley Van Zeeland followed with an in-the-park homerun to even the score, 1-1. Van Zeeland's speed allowed her to round the bases on a four-base error.

Junior Chloe Miller was able to put one hit on the board following the run, but the Boilermakers made two plays on fly outs in the outfield to leave UW with one run off of one hit and one error in the first inning.  

The Boilermakers went down in order in the second inning under the control of Wisconsin junior pitcher Kirsten Stevens. 

Capitalizing on the offensive opportunity, junior Sara Novak smacked one out of the park for her fourth homerun of the season. Novak brought Kelly Welsh home with her on the two-run homerun, giving the Badgers a 3-1 lead. 

Purdue made a quick double play on first and second base to shut down the Badgers' momentum and move into the third inning trailing Wisconsin, 3-1. 

The fourth inning proved to be the difference for the Badgers after a pair of runs from the Boilermakers led to a pitching change for UW. 

After senior Taylor-Paige Stewart checked in for UW, Purdue struck out swinging, giving the Badgers a chance to increase their lead. 

Senior Katie Christner hit a bunt to advance to first base, while pinch runner Brianna Flugaur moved onto third, awaiting senior Macy Oswald's hit. 

Oswald knocked an RBI single through the left to move Flugaur home. Jenkins reached on a fielder's choice that carried Christner home and the Badgers ahead, 5-3. 

A Van Zeeland single allowed Jenkins to move into scoring position on third base, and then subsequently score on the next play as Miller reached on a fielder's choice. 

Sitting above the Boilermakers, 6-3, the Badgers still had room to make noise within the fourth inning. While freshman Melanie Cross' hit was caught and thrown to first for the out, two Badgers advanced to second and third base. 

With a full count, it looked like the inning and run streak might be over for the Badgers, but sophomore Samantha Arents had a different idea, blasting a two-RBI double far out into left field and continuing the momentum for UW, giving them a five-run lead (8-3) over the Boilermakers. 

The fifth inning proved to be relatively quiet comparatively, as the Badgers made three quick outs highlighted by a running grab from Miller to bring the Badgers up to the plate. UW put up two hits in the bottom of the fifth frame but stranded three on the basepath.

Purdue's efforts in the top of the sixth inning allowed the Boilermakers to come within three runs of the Badgers (8-5), but UW quickly shut it down with the third out to end the top of the sixth. 

Arents opened scoring in the bottom of the sixth with another RBI double to bring pinch runner Gabby Scherle into home plate and clinch the Badgers' lead at four runs (9-5). 

Oswald got a piece of the ball as well, but the Boilermakers were able to grab the pop fly to make the third out and end the sixth inning. 

With one chance to even the score, the Boilermakers went three up and three down in the top of the seventh to end the game trailing Wisconsin, 9-5.  

UW was led by Arents and Novak who each had two hits in the first game, while five other Badgers had one hit. Arents also had a game-high three RBI.

Stewart (10-8) picked up the win, throwing 3.1 innings and just allowing one hit, two runs, one walk and struck out three. Purdue's Lily Fecho took the loss giving up seven hits, eight runs, two walks and striking out three.

Wisconsin fell 5-4 in the second game of the day despite an exciting seventh inning rally. 

The Badgers began the first inning of the second game with an exciting out, as Van Zeeland and Cross caught the runner, who was on base due to an error, stealing second. Gooding struck out swinging not long after for the second out at the hands of Stevens, while Jenkins grabbed a grounder and sent it to first for the third out to end the top of the first. 

Jenkins started the bottom of the first with a leadoff walk to set the tone for UW. Jenkins moved to second base after Van Zeeland reached on a fielder's choice on a failed attempt to get Jenkins out at second.

Miller hit an RBI single to put the Badgers on the board in game two, as Jenkins crossed home plate and Van Zeeland advanced to second. The Badgers left Van Zeeland and Miller stranded, but ended the inning ahead with one run and one hit.

Van Zeeland, Wisconsin's starter at shortstop, did her best Derek Jeter impression and contributed to all three outs in the second inning, as the senior prevented the Boilermakers from evening the score at one by making two diving grabs.

Purdue exploded in the third inning, putting up four runs off of five hits. The Boilermakers led off the inning with a single and double that made way for a sacrifice fly to tie the score at 1-1.

Mallory Baker's RBI single gave Purdue the 2-1 lead that was extended as Kaylah Hampton blasted a two-RBI single to right center. Stewart came in to pitch for Stevens after Stevens gave up four runs off of six hits.

Stewart only allowed one run that came in the sixth inning, but it wasn't earned as the runner reached due to an error. 

The Badger bats fired off in the bottom of the seventh inning. Headed into the bottom of the seventh frame trailing 5-1, UW needed a rally to keep the game alive.

Christner started the stampede of hits with a single up the middle. Oswald was walked next to put runners at first and second for Jenkins. Jenkins took advantage and cracked an RBI double to left field. Van Zeeland followed suit with an RBI single to left field. Miller reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Jenkins to slide in for the final Badger run. 

UW clinched three runs on three hits in the bottom of the seventh, but left one on base and ultimately fell to Purdue, 5-4.

Arents and Miller both finished with three hits and three RBI on the day. Stewart came out with a stellar 1.75 ERA through the two games, giving up just two total hits and three runs while striking out eight.

Wisconsin returns to action against Purdue tomorrow for a 1 p.m. CT contest at Goodman Diamond.