IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Three home runs, including a Purdue game record-tying two by junior Kristen Hoppman, lifted the Boilermakers to a 6-4 win over Iowa Friday night.
Purdue racked up its six runs on six hits and an error, while allowing Iowa four runs on six hits and three errors. Hoppman, senior Katie Harrison and freshman Lexi Huffman each tallied two hits to lead the Boilermaker bats.
Senior Lilly Fecho (14-6) struck out 11 in the complete-game victory in the circle for Purdue, while Elizabeth Wiegand (4-6) was charged with the loss after giving up five runs in six and a third inning for the Hawkeyes. Erin Riding pitched the final two thirds of an inning for Iowa.
The Boilermakers were on the board just four pitches into the game as Hoppman lifted a home run over the center field wall, her third of the season.
Iowa took advantage of a Purdue miscue for a run in the bottom of the inning. An error and a stolen bases set up a two-out double to right center, which tied the game at 1-1.
Senior Paris Andrew reached on a two-out error and swiped second in the second inning, but the Boilermakers couldn't get her home.
The Hawkeyes stranded two runners in scoring position as Fecho issued two K's to end the third.
Harrison led off the fourth with a single to right center, but out trying to take second on the play. Freshman Mallory Baker walked, but pinch runner Sydney Pencek was caught stealing. Freshman Lauren Stewart also drew a free pass in the inning, but was called for leaving early on a would-be steal.
Freshman Lexi Huffman added another hit with a two-out single in the fifth, but to no avail.
Harrison drew a two-out walk in the sixth, but the Boilermakers could not move pinch runner Morgan Cavinder around the bases.
Purdue tacked on five much-needed insurance runs in the seventh inning. Stewart walked and went to third on a sacrifice and a stolen base. Pinch hitter Kaylah Hampton drew a walk putting runners at the corners for Huffman, who put the Boilermakers up 4-1 with a three-run shot to right center. Freshman Emily Kenny was hit by a pitch prompting the Hawkeye pitching change. A wild pitch from Riding moved Kenny to second, from which she scored as Hoppman dropped her second homer of the day over the center field wall. Harrison added her second hit of the day with a two-out single, but a strikeout kept Purdue from adding to the 6-1 advantage.
Iowa rallied for three runs on four hits and an error in the bottom of the seventh. A single and a steal put a runner at second with two outs. A Kaitlyn Mullarkey single to the right field wall brought the runner home. Another single had Hawkeyes at first and second. A bunt single should have filled the bases, but a throwing error on the play allowed two runs to score and the batter to end up at third. The Boilermakers recovered as Fecho struck the final batter out swinging to seal the victory.
Purdue (19-14, 1-3 Big Ten) will face the Hawkeyes again at 3 p.m. ET Saturday.