WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Nebraska clinched the series with the Boilermakers with an 8-0 win on Sunday, holding Purdue to just three hits in the game.
The Huskers scored their eight runs on seven hits, while committing three errors. The Boilermakers posted three hits in the game, one each by junior Mary Gooding, sophomore Kristen Hoppman and freshman Maya Hughes.
Emily Lockman (11-12) struck out four in the complete-game win for Nebraska. Freshman Gina Snyder (6-1) struck out two in four and two thirds innings of work for Purdue. Senior Lexy Moore finished the game, facing the final eight batters.
The Boilers loaded the bases on a hit, a walk and hit by pitch in the bottom of the first, but could not break onto the scoreboard. Sophomore Mary Gooding doubled down the left field line and went to third on a fielding error by the left fielder. Senior Ashley Burkhardt walked and stole second and junior Paris Andrew was hit by a pitch with two outs. A strikeout left them stranded.
In the second inning, Hoppman singled and advanced to third on a throwing error and a ground out, but another ground ball left the scoreboard empty.
Nebraska put up three runs on a hit in the third after what appeared to be the third out of the inning was overturned on an illegal pitch call. With two aboard after a pair of walks, the Boilers wrangled a fly ball only to have the play overruled and the runners advance into scoring position. The batter, Alicia Armstrong, capitalized on the new life with a three-run home run over the left field wall.
Hughes laid down a beautiful bunt single and stole second in the fourth, but the Boilers could not get her home.
The Huskers struck for four more runs on four hits in the fifth inning. A single, a walk and hit by pitch loaded the bases with one out. A grounder to second base plated the first run. A single to left center brought in two more prompting a Boilermaker pitching change. A walk and a single loaded the bases again and a single to left center scored one, but Koorsen gunned down another runner trying to score at the plate.
Nebraska added their eighth run on two hits in the sixth. The Huskers combined a double, a ground out and a single through the right side for the score.
Purdue stayed alive as Burkhardt reached on an error to start the sixth, but she was caught stealing in a questionable call for the second out. A strikeout ended the game via run-rule.
The Boilermakers (25-16, 5-7 Big Ten) return to action at 6 p.m. Wednesday against IPFW and continue their seven-game homestand with a weekend series against Iowa.