WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Emma Henderson blasted her 12th home run of the season, but SIUE softball dropped a 7-5 contest at Purdue.
Henderson's home run tied SIUE's Division I era best set by Grace Lueke in 2022. She also tied the Division I era best in RBIs with 43 during her third inning two-run homer.
The Cougar senior was Wednesday's starter at Bittinger Stadium and tossed four innings. She took the loss and is 5-5 for the season. Kiana Villa threw the final two innings for the Cougars.
SIUE, now 27-20 this season, slugged with the Boilermakers, collecting 10 hits. Four of those hits were extra-base hits, including Henderson's blast.
Purdue, also 27-20, scored twice in the first inning and never trailed.
The Cougars cut the lead in half in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Raegan Duncan.
After Purdue scored two more in the bottom of the second, Emma Henderson homered with Salyars on base, cutting the Purdue lead to 4-3.
Purdue's big inning came in the fourth with three runs. Kyndall Bailey hit a sacrifice fly, and Julia Gossett doubled home a pair of runs.
SIUE closed the gap to 7-5 on a pinch hit two-RBI double by Harley Limberger in the sixth inning.
Next up for the Cougars is the regular season finale weekend. The Cougars face off against UT Martin with a noon doubleheader Saturday and a single game Sunday at noon.
