MADISON, Wis. – Despite a late rally, the Wisconsin softball team fell in its regular-season finale, 7-6, to Purdue on Sunday afternoon at Goodman Diamond. 

The Badgers (18-22) scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth and twice in the seventh, but were unable to earn the win and split their series with the Boilermakers (18-26). 

Prior to Sunday's game, the Badgers honored Lauren Foster, Hailey Hestskin, Mya Kneutson (Team Manager) as part of the 2021 graduating class. 
 
Purdue threatened in the top of the first inning. Purdue had two hits in the inning and managed to have runners on first and third with two outs. Despite the threat, the game remained scoreless as Hailey Hestsekin of the Badgers recorded her fifth strikeout and kept the game tied at 0-0.
 
The Badgers broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning. Abby Herbst drew a leadoff walk to start the inning. Alyssa McClelland then pinch ran for Herbst and advanced to second on a wild pitch, and then third after Ally Miklesh's sacrifice bunt. McClelland later scored on a play at the plate on Skylar Sirdashney's sacrifice bunt.
 
The Boilermakers responded in the top of the third inning with two runs of their own. After two Purdue batters drew walks, Sydney Bates hit a two-RBI triple to give Purdue a 2-1 lead.
 
In the top of the fifth inning, Purdue added to its lead. Rachel Becker hit a one-out double and was driven home by a Becca Jones RBI single. Later in the inning, Sydney Bates scored on a passed ball to give Purdue a 4-1 lead.
 
The Badgers responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning. Morgan Kummer started the Badgers rally with a one-out triple. She was later driven in by Fiona Girardot's double to deep center field. Lauren Foster then hit a double of her own which drove in Girardot from second. Megan Donahue then capped off the comeback and hit a single to right-center that tied the game 4-4.
 
Purdue tacked on three runs of their own in the top of the sixth. Purdue loaded the bases and Rachel Becker hit a sacrifice fly to center which scored one run. Later in the inning, a fielding error allowed two more runs to score giving Purdue a 7-4 lead.
 
Down to their last three outs, the Badgers once again rallied. Fiona Girardot slapped a leadoff single to left. The next batter, Lauren Foster, doubled. With runners on second and third, Megan Donahue slapped a single to right-center that drove in two runs and made it a 7-6 game. However, the Badgers were unable to capitalize with two runners in scoring position. 
 
Haley Hestekin pitched 4 1/3 innings, striking out eight and allowing three runs. Maddie Schwartz took over in the fifth inning and conceded only one earned run.
 
Batting Cleanup
-Hailey Hestekin struck out 7 Purdue hitters in her first 3 innings of work
-Fiona Girardot and Lauren Foster each scored twice and had one RBI in Sundays game
-Megan Donahue led the Badgers in RBI's with 3 including 2 in the bottom of the 7th inning
-Morgan Kummer's fifth-inning triple was her first of the season