Final Stats: Nebraska-Omaha / Final Stats: No. 13 Arizona
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Boilermakers moved to 2-2 on the young season with a pair of losses to Nebraska-Omaha and No. 13 Arizona on Day 2 of the Hillenbrand Invitational.
Defensive woes plagued the Boilermakers in the day's first game, while Arizona's offensive fire power proved too much in the night cap.
Freshman Lauren Stewart and junior Kristen Hoppman each had two hits on the day.
All four Purdue pitchers saw action in the games, with sophomore Gina Snyder (0-1) taking the loss against the Mavericks and senior Lilly Fecho (2-1) against the Wildcats.
The Boilermakers (2-2) return to action at 11 a.m. ET Sunday to wrap up their stay in Tucson against North Texas.
Nebraska-Omaha 8, Purdue 5
Freshman Lauren Stewart lifted her first career home run, ,a second inning grand slam, but the Boilermakers could not hold off Nebraska-Omaha's offense charge and defensive miscues in an 8-5 loss Saturday afternoon.
The Boilermakers managed five runs on seven hits and two errors, while allowing the Mavericks eight runs on six hits and five errors. Junior Kristen Hoppman went 2-for-3 to lead the Purdue bats.
Three pitchers saw action for the Boilermakers. Junior Katie Johnson started the game, issuing five Ks in two innings. Arizona native Gina Snyder took over for the next three and two thirds and was saddled with the loss, despite allowing just one earned run. Freshman Maddie Damon closed it out. Laura Roecker went the distance for Omaha, recording five strikeouts in the complete-game effort.
Purdue put two runners on base in the first inning via a Katie Harrison single and Lexi Huffman walk, but could not score.
Omaha jumped managed two runs on two hits and an error in the second inning. Sydney Hames lifted a leadoff home run and the Mavericks combined an error and a double off the wall for the second score.
The Boilermakers loaded the bases on a trio of singles by Hoppman, Gooding and Hampton. Freshman Lauren Stewart drilled a one-out grand slam to left to give Purdue a 4-2 lead.
Kelly Pattison got one run back for Omaha with a solo shot to start the third. The Mavericks managed three more unearned runs in the inning after two errors, a sacrifice fly and a double, to go ahead 6-4.
Purdue narrowed the gap to one on a Gooding RBI grounder in the bottom of the inning. Baker and Hoppman were at first and second after two singles, a throwing error and a steal, setting the table for Gooding. Hoppman appeared to score from third on a dropped third strike the following play, but the umpires ruled a double play at first and home to end the inning.
The Boilermakers put a runner on in the fifth and sixth, but could not convert them to runs.
Omaha tacked on two more runs in the sixth on two hits, an error and a wild pitch. Two singles and a sacrifice put two runners in scoring position. A fielding error plated the first run. A wild pitch allowed the second, putting the Mavericks up 8-5.
Stewart drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh, but the Boilermakers could not finish off a comeback.
Arizona 11, Purdue 1
Arizona put up 11 runs on 14 hits and an error, while allowing Purdue just a single unearned run Saturday night.
Danielle O'Toole went the distance in the circle for the Wildcats, striking out eight. Senior Lilly Fecho struck out one batter in the loss, while freshman Maddie Damon issued two Ks in the final two and two thirds innings.
Purdue scored first, needing just three batters to put a run on the board. Freshman Lauren Stewart led off with a single to right and stole second, before coming home on an errant throw by the third baseman. A passed ball moved pinch runner Morgan Cavinder to second, but the Boilermakers couldn't add to their advantage.
Arizona responded with three runs in the first, four in the second, three in the third and one in the fourth en route to the 11-1 win. The Wildcats managed three home runs and two doubles.
The Boilermakers did not put another runner on base after the first inning.