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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The Boilermakers managed a run on two hits, but it was not enough to upset the No. 22 Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday. Minnesota won the game 4-1, but the teams will meet again at noon on Sunday.
Sara Groenewegen (16-4) struck out six in the complete-game victory for Minnesota, while senior Lilly Fecho struck out seven Gophers in the loss.
The Gophers scored their four runs on five hits and two errors, while allowing the Boilermakers a run on two hits and two errors. Senior Mary Gooding and freshman Lauren Stewart accounted for the Purdue hits.
Minnesota struck first, scoring two runs on two hits in the second inning. A walk and a single set up a two RBI double to left center by Paige Palkovich. The Boilermakers then caught Palokovich trying to steal second base to end the stanza.
Senior Paris Andrew was hit by a pitch with two outs in the Purdue second inning, but the Boilermakers could not make good on the free base.
The Boilermakers got one run back in the fourth care of a bunt single by Stewart and two Gopher miscues. The speedy Stewart laid down a beautiful bunt and went to second on an errant throw. Another throwing error on a ground ball put freshman Heather Knight aboard the following play, as Stewart came home. Another ground ball left Knight stranded.
Minnesota responded with two runs on a hit and two Purdue miscues in the fifth. An error and a hit batsman put two on for Sydney Fabian, who doubled off the center field wall to bring them home. A pair of strikeouts stranded Fabian at third.
Fecho issued another K to get out of a sixth-inning jam after a single and intentional walk.
Gooding sent a single into right center to give the Boilermakers life in the sixth, but a pop up and fly out kept Purdue from making good on the base hit.
Solid defense by the Boilermakers erased a leadoff bunt single in the seventh as Purdue got a pickoff after five players got involved in the rundown against the would-be base stealer.
The Boilermakers went down in order on a ground out, pop up and strikeout to end the game.
Purdue (18-12, 0-2 Big Ten) will have one more shot at knocking off the No. 22 Gophers at noon Sunday. The Boilermakers will play host to an Easter egg hunt on the field after the game.