WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Hits were at a premium in Game 2 of the Boilermakers' weekend series with Nebraska and the Huskers got them when it counted, taking a 3-0 win on Saturday.
Nebraska scored its three runs on seven hits, while Purdue managed just three hits in the game. Senior Ashley Burkhardt, junior Mary Gooding and freshman Kaylah Hampton accounted for the Boilermaker hits, while three other Boilers reached via walk.
In the circle, Kaylan Jablonski (3-5) struck out seven batters in the win for Nebraska. Junior Lilly Feco struck out two in six and two thirds innings in the loss. Freshman Gina Snyder faced the final batter of the seventh inning.
Nebraska wasted a pair of singles in the opening stanza. A fielder's choice play and a ground ball to third base left two in scoring position.
The Boilers got two aboard in the bottom of the inning, but could not score. Senior Alyssa Koorsen drew a leadoff walk, but was later caught stealing. Burkhardt reached on a two-out single and swiped second, before a strikeout capped the inning.
A single and a walk gave the Huskers two base runners in the fourth, but a strikeout stranded both.
A walk to Gooding, a single by Hampton and a ground out put runners at second and third with two outs in the fourth. A strikeout kept Purdue from cashing in on the RBI opportunity.
The Huskers paired a walk, a sacrifice and a two-out single up the middle for a score in the fifth. MJ Knighten picked up the RBI, scoring Kat Woolman from second.
Pinch hitter Sydney Pencek reached on a Nebraska error in the fifth, but the Boilers couldn't capitalize.
Purdue had its best scoring chance in the sixth inning, loading the bases with two outs. Gooding singled and went to third on a wild pitch and fly out. Juniors Paris Andrew and CJ Parsons reached via walks to fill the basepaths. A strike out, however, kept the team scoreless.
Nebraska added two more runs on a Knighten home run to left center in the seventh. The hit also scored Kiki Stokes who reached on a two-out single.
The Boilers went down in order on a trio of ground outs in the final stanza.
Purdue (25-15, 5-6 Big Ten) and Nebraska (21-18, 9-4 Big Ten) will face off at noon Sunday in the rubber match of the weekend series.